Our people

Fresenius Medical Care Renal Services
Lisa Morris, Clinic Manager, Southport Dialysis Unit

The thing I love about my job is coming to work in a light, spacious, purpose built dialysis unit.

My role involves a combination of clinical duties, administrative tasks and people management. We have built a competent, pleasant team of dialysis nurses with differing backgrounds and levels of experience, but similar ethics, standards and enthusiasm which means we offer, a safe, optimal dialysis service to each individual patient, in a pleasant, calm environment.

The happy atmosphere generated by the nursing staff is reflected in the patients. Although no one wants to have to dialysis three times a week, the procedure is made more tolerable when dialysing in a calm, comfortable and safe environment, with competent, motivated staff.

I quite enjoy the routine that being a clinic manager offers, I know what is expected, yet still enjoy the odd challenge asked of me.

Something that gives me job satisfaction is being able to encourage and support my staff to develop to their full potential, and having my own skills recognised and rewarded. I also enjoy networking with other clinic managers, supporting each other and learning together.

A typical week

I cycle to work and arrive between 7 & 8 am and leave between 4.30 & 6.30 pm depending on the day; say hello to my colleagues, switch on the 12 dialysis machines, line and prime the machines, prepare for when the patients arrive. We have a morning & afternoon shift at Southport, although some units also have a twilight.

We then make sure the patients are comfortable for their dialysis session, and catch up with what’s been going on.

I'll work on my admin until patients' treatment ends, then I’ll go back out to the treatment room help the nurses get the patients off the machines, then we prepare for next shift.

My role also includes day-to-day staff management including job interviews, staff appraisals, as well as monthly staff meetings to chair. I enjoy supporting staff with various educational modules, and assignments.

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We closely monitor patient satisfaction levels and measure treatment outcomes against renal standards. These results are reported to the NHS parent unit where I attend monthly Directorate and Infection Control meetings. I also attend a monthly ‘Local Business Review’ with my Fresenius Medical Care Renal Services Regional Director at the unit, to ensure every thing is running smoothly.

I ensure I attend to any Health and Safety and Quality Management issues, this is essential as we always need to be prepared for Care Quality Commission inspections and independent audits.

There are many phone calls to deal with, and monthly water samples to take. We are in the process of working towards ISO 14001 Environmental accreditation, so there is monthly collecting and recording of data. I also ensure that the current ISO 9001 procedures at my clinic are kept up to date.