Meet Jody

Jody Kopanic is a Clinical educator for FMCNA but has held many roles within the organization in her 21 years with us. She's been a nephrology nurse, a charge nurse, a clinic manager, and a CM mentor. Jody loves how she can continue to learn and develop in her career with FMCNA. But what she loves most about her current role is being able to provide hands-on skills while making learning relaxed and fun. Learn more about Jody and why she decided to stay in the FMCNA family!

LET’S HEAR WHAT JODY HAD TO SAY:

Q: Why did you join the FMCNA team?

A: Right out of Nursing School, I had an opportunity to join FMCNA and specialize as a Nephrology Nurse. With the knowledge that FMCNA provided me, I became very good at my job and made a difference in helping so many people with Kidney Disease. FMCNA offers so many opportunities for Professional Growth & Development, and that has helped me to Advance into multiple roles since joining this TEAM 21 years ago.

Q: How do you feel that your role is a “vital part” in supporting our patients and our company?

A: As a Clinical Educator, I play a vital role in Fresenius Kidney Care by training and supporting our staff to deliver the superior care that our patients deserve. The Education Department is a valuable resource to so many people across the organization. We provide education to our new employees and also support our current staff to help them professionally grow as they provide exceptional service to our patients.

Q: Describe an experience or feeling that stands out when thinking of your career with FMCNA

A: FMCNA is such a great company to work for, and they offer so many opportunities for advancement along with professional growth. I started as a Registered Nurse and, within a year, advanced into the position of Charge Nurse, which later developed into a Clinic Manager position. After years of being a Clinic Manager, I was selected to be a CM Mentor and help train and support our new Clinic Managers in my Area. It was during that time that I realized I loved the training and education part of being a CM Mentor. As time continued, an Education position opened in my Area, and now as a Clinical Educator, I help train and reach so many more people than ever before.

Q: Do you feel that you have a powerful effect in your role? 

A: I feel that I have a powerful effect as a Clinical Educator because I worked on the floor for many years. I bring so much experience in multiple areas with me, and I share from some best practices and past experiences for staff to relate and learn. In our classroom, we provide theory and hands-on skills while making learning relaxed and fun.

Q: Have you experienced professional growth with personal meaning in your role?

A: I have experienced professional growth as a Clinical Educator by starting out as a new nurse and growing professionally into other Leadership positions. I am passionate about helping people and seeing them succeed. I rose from leading one clinic to now having a more significant impact teaching multiple Areas within our Region.

Q: Do you feel you or your team/department leads, innovates, succeeds?

A: Our Education TEAM is very successful in developing new employees and preparing them to pass their exams and skills evaluation. Our TEAM listens to the feedback from our new employees, and they put changes into place to create better processes. We collaborate with our partners and are engaged to ensure successful new employees. We are innovative, and we provide both face-to-face Classroom Training and Virtual Learning Training to give our new employees the time they need to learn and practice the skills they will be using.

Q: Do you feel that your role allows you to be a partner in caring?

A: By working as a Clinical Educator, I can partner in caring for our patients, along with nurturing our current staff. I have a great relationship with my Clinic Managers and the team in the clinics I support. By focusing on quality and providing the knowledge to achieve goals, I help to develop and train our staff to live out our Mission Statement. “To deliver superior care that improves the quality of life of every patient, every day, setting the standard by which others in the healthcare industry are judged”.

About Fresenius Medical Care

We have become a global leader in healthcare because of the unwavering dedication our people bring to work every day. Whether that means developing new-to-market dialysis technology or educating patients, our team touches the lives of more than 190,000 patients through innovative care and profound, personal connections.

With Fresenius Medical Care North America, you will “be the difference,” enabling patients to thrive, providing comfort to families, supporting coworkers so they can realize their goals, compelling our company to achieve through innovation and performance, and driving the development of your career.

Our team is made up of over 64,000 dedicated employees in North America, all of whom focus on being the difference and delivering the highest-quality care to people with kidney disease – helping them to lead longer better and healthier lives

Why Join our team?

• Rated as one of Forbes’ U.S. Best Employers
• Paid one-on-one training
• Tuition reimbursement
• Comprehensive health insurance
• Paid time off
• 401(K) and much more