Wound Care - Is it worth it?

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Anonymous

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Looking through a lot of these threads, most seem to be negative when it comes to becoming a wound care sales rep for S&N, but then others seem to say it's not that big of a deal (I'm assuming those are the ones who still work for S&N and are either just trying to stay positive because their job sucks or they know it's still a great job). I'm thinking about applying, but I'm not really sure it's worth it. Plenty of people talk shit on their own or former company's threads, but there just seems to be so many about wound care that it may be true. Can I get some feedback? I have a pretty good job now, but if I'm going to switch, I want it to be with a good one.
 












Are you nutz?
Of course it is worth it. You get paid nicely for having to sell just a handful of products.
Compare it to other jobs where you have tons of products, quotas and pressure.
This job is clipping coupons.
Can't complain. S&N Checks go to my checking account.
 


















Anonymous said:
Oh, and I work 5 hours a week from my home office and 15-20 hours in the field. Usually just catching up with hospital friends. S&N rocks.
Click to expand...

LOL yeah, dude, you should definitely apply to S&N. According to this moron quoted above, you basically don't do anything and you get paid for it! I'm SURE that's exactly what you're looking for, right?

Let me just reiterate what you most likely already know. The medical device business is EXTREMELY competitive. It's just not the business that it used to be. If you're a lazy a**hole like this guy above, then you'll be toast. Chances are that this guy is gonna put another comment on here about how long he's been here and blah blah blah. Trust me...he'll get a call in a few months asking him to bring his laptop and car keys into the home office for a talk. We all know what happens next...

My advice is that you steer clear of companies that hire a**holes like these. Head for open waters. There are MANY amazing companies out there that will reward you for your hard work and help to boost your career. I know it sounds cliché, but it's cliché because it's true. Seriously, if I was a S&N executive I would spend the extra money and hire some computer whiz to track this idiot's IP address and fire him immediately. What a sorry pile of dog s**t
 






READ CAREFULLY. THIS IS THE TRUTH MY FRIEND FROM THE PRESIDENT OF SMITH AND NEPHEW!!!!

July 15, 2014

By Facsimile and Federal Express

Re: Smith & Nephew, Inc.’s RENASYS™ Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Systems (NPWT)

Dear Customer :

As you know, the FDA recently requested Smith & Nephew to obtain additional regulatory
clearances through the premarket notification 510(k) process with respect to certain design
modifications made to the RENASYS NPWT product line in late 2013. Those changes were made in response to customer feedback. At the time the changes were made, we followed our internal procedures and determined that a new clearance was not required. In June, the FDA advised us that such clearance would be required to market the modified RENASYS products. (The original products went through all of the required FDA processes before being
introduced commercially.) We have complied with the FDA request to cease commercial
distribution of the RENASYS product line in the United States until the additional
clearances are obtained.

Subsequent to the request, we raised concerns with the FDA about potential patient
continuity of care, and access to care, issues resulting from the cessation of distribution.
The FDA acknowledged that some institutions and homecare providers may experience an acute shortage of RENASYS products to the detriment of patient care and authorized the limited distribution by Smith & Nephew of these products under a Certificate of Medical Necessity (CMN) program. Details of the CMN program are available from your Smith & Nephew representative or our Customer Care Center.

I am writing to update you on further developments relating to RENASYS systems in the
United States. Smith & Nephew is working collaboratively with the FDA to secure clearance for the modified RENASYS systems. It is now apparent to us that the 510(k) clearances for these products will take longer than we had expected – at least three months and probably longer.

Moreover, in a recent discussion with us, the Medical Director of a regional durable medical
equipment Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) expressed his belief that, until the
additional 510(k) clearances are obtained, the modified RENASYS products do not meet the
minimum threshold for eligibility for Medicare coverage – clearance by the FDA. He did not
believe that he has the discretion to decide otherwise, although CMS could make a
determination that additional flexibility is warranted under the circumstances. (Medicare and
other government payors generally do not cover medical devices that are not cleared for
marketing.) We understand the MAC Medical Director shared his thinking with the other DME
MACs. Given the complexity of this issue, we are in the process of contacting the CMS central office in Baltimore to discuss this situation and, if the guidance changes, we will
communicate that to you.

In the meantime, we recommend that you furnish this information to, and consult with, your
reimbursement/billing experts about billing for the use of RENASYS products on federal
health care program patients, such as Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, VA and DOD patients, and also federal employee health benefits program patients.

Additionally, you may wish to consult with your reimbursement/billing experts regarding
commercial payors who may also consider the FDA’s communication relevant to assessing
coverage. In the light of these uncertainties, customers should consider transitioning patients to an alternative NPWT device.

We deeply regret the disruption caused by this situation and will continue to assist you as
best we can. If you have any questions, please call the Smith & Nephew Customer Care Center at 1-800-876-1261.

Sincerely,

Francois Fournier
President, North America Advanced Wound Management
 






Anonymous said:
Looking through a lot of these threads, most seem to be negative when it comes to becoming a wound care sales rep for S&N, but then others seem to say it's not that big of a deal (I'm assuming those are the ones who still work for S&N and are either just trying to stay positive because their job sucks or they know it's still a great job). I'm thinking about applying, but I'm not really sure it's worth it. Plenty of people talk shit on their own or former company's threads, but there just seems to be so many about wound care that it may be true. Can I get some feedback? I have a pretty good job now, but if I'm going to switch, I want it to be with a good one.
Click to expand...

Dude, are you talking about advanced wound care, or advanced wound device? Advanced wound care is fine, advanced wound device is like Capt Smith taking a shower as the hull of the Titanic goes into the air before sinking 14000 feet. No soap or shampoo are necessary.
 






Anonymous said:
READ CAREFULLY. THIS IS THE TRUTH MY FRIEND FROM THE PRESIDENT OF SMITH AND NEPHEW!!!!

July 15, 2014

By Facsimile and Federal Express

Re: Smith & Nephew, Inc.’s RENASYS™ Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Systems (NPWT)

Dear Customer :

As you know, the FDA recently requested Smith & Nephew to obtain additional regulatory
clearances through the premarket notification 510(k) process with respect to certain design
modifications made to the RENASYS NPWT product line in late 2013. Those changes were made in response to customer feedback. At the time the changes were made, we followed our internal procedures and determined that a new clearance was not required. In June, the FDA advised us that such clearance would be required to market the modified RENASYS products. (The original products went through all of the required FDA processes before being
introduced commercially.) We have complied with the FDA request to cease commercial
distribution of the RENASYS product line in the United States until the additional
clearances are obtained.

Subsequent to the request, we raised concerns with the FDA about potential patient
continuity of care, and access to care, issues resulting from the cessation of distribution.
The FDA acknowledged that some institutions and homecare providers may experience an acute shortage of RENASYS products to the detriment of patient care and authorized the limited distribution by Smith & Nephew of these products under a Certificate of Medical Necessity (CMN) program. Details of the CMN program are available from your Smith & Nephew representative or our Customer Care Center.

I am writing to update you on further developments relating to RENASYS systems in the
United States. Smith & Nephew is working collaboratively with the FDA to secure clearance for the modified RENASYS systems. It is now apparent to us that the 510(k) clearances for these products will take longer than we had expected – at least three months and probably longer.

Moreover, in a recent discussion with us, the Medical Director of a regional durable medical
equipment Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) expressed his belief that, until the
additional 510(k) clearances are obtained, the modified RENASYS products do not meet the
minimum threshold for eligibility for Medicare coverage – clearance by the FDA. He did not
believe that he has the discretion to decide otherwise, although CMS could make a
determination that additional flexibility is warranted under the circumstances. (Medicare and
other government payors generally do not cover medical devices that are not cleared for
marketing.) We understand the MAC Medical Director shared his thinking with the other DME
MACs. Given the complexity of this issue, we are in the process of contacting the CMS central office in Baltimore to discuss this situation and, if the guidance changes, we will
communicate that to you.

In the meantime, we recommend that you furnish this information to, and consult with, your
reimbursement/billing experts about billing for the use of RENASYS products on federal
health care program patients, such as Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, VA and DOD patients, and also federal employee health benefits program patients.

Additionally, you may wish to consult with your reimbursement/billing experts regarding
commercial payors who may also consider the FDA’s communication relevant to assessing
coverage. In the light of these uncertainties, customers should consider transitioning patients to an alternative NPWT device.

We deeply regret the disruption caused by this situation and will continue to assist you as
best we can. If you have any questions, please call the Smith & Nephew Customer Care Center at 1-800-876-1261.

Sincerely,

Francois Fournier
President, North America Advanced Wound Management
Click to expand...
 






Has old FF sank this division with his passive aggressive management style ? Really poor leader and the buck does not stop with him when things go wrong he simply blames and will often times fire the people around him that are following his direction. I feel sorry for any team in the US this guy is trying to lead.
 






Take your hands off the keyboard and run, run fast and far far away from AWM. FF is a nightmare and he's hired some real morons who tell him how smart he is, while doing and knowing nothing about the business. Bad place.
 
























Call for an Associate Position, currently have my own territory in the DME industry, is it worth to make the switch to ASR for S&N? Obviously a large step up in regards to companies, but I don't want to hate my job. What is the money like after the ASR role?
 






anonymous said:
Call for an Associate Position, currently have my own territory in the DME industry, is it worth to make the switch to ASR for S&N? Obviously a large step up in regards to companies, but I don't want to hate my job. What is the money like after the ASR role?
Click to expand...

Not a large step up. SN is a dysfunctional train wreck that you will hate. Conf calls to review next conf calls. Paper work that is worthless. Leadership does not exist. Keep the DME stuff. Only light at the end of the wound tunnel is Renawreck wound vac to return after 18 month hiatus due to FDA Smackdown. Lots of luck on re entry. "Dallas, we have a problem".
 






If FF is still in charge = DO NOT come here. Once he is gone and the idiots he's hired, things will turn around. Not Dallas we have a problem, but Glen and UK we have a train wreck - wake up and fix this shit!
 












I just applied for the Senior Sales Account Manager Medical Device, Ft. Lauderdale position via a recruiter this morning. I have 11 years experience in medical sales and I'm in my mid 30's.

What are my chances of getting the position?

Is the Ft. Lauderdale a producing/hitting quota territory? Why?

How does the Ft. Lauderdale territory add up to other territories in the State/Region?

What is the regional manager like? Helpful/hands-off?

What are the other reps in the region like? Helpful/welcoming/cutthroat?

Thank you!!
 






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