Family Services Coordinator

Texas Organ Sharing Alliance (TOSA), founded in 1975, is one of 57 federally designated Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) in the United States. TOSA is committed to a mission of saving lives through the power of organ donation by providing organ donation and recovery services to Central and South Texans wishing to donate, and to those waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. Recognized as a Top Employer, TOSA has staff members in Austin, San Antonio, and McAllen.

JOB SUMMARY: The Family Services Coordinator supports the mission, goals, and strategic plan of Texas Organ Sharing Alliance by serving families in their time of grief, facilitating authorization for donation, and coordinating the initial phases of the organ donation process in conjunction with the Organ Recovery Coordinators. Professionalism, empathy, and compassion are the foundational values for this role. This role includes collaboration with the administration, physicians, nursing staff, and other key departments in the development and implementation of educational and quality programs related to donation.

WORK SCHEDULE: The Family Services Coordinator (FSC) is a full-time exempt position which shares 24 hour on-call responsibilities on a rotating schedule, which will include weekends and evenings. Normal office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The position may require occasional overnight travel. This position may be required, on occasion, to travel by company or personal automobile or commercial aircraft to accomplish the job responsibilities. The incumbent will have access to confidential material and needs to use discretion with this information and strictly adhere to the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance confidentiality policy. This position requires installation and use of a company-approved location tracking application during work-related travel and while performing duties at off-site locations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES

• Under the direction of the Administrator on call, responds to organ donor referrals by traveling to donor hospitals to assess needs of potential organ donor families.
• Maintains on-going communication with the Administrator on call and Family Services Supervisor
• Communicates with physicians and other health care team members to obtain information about the patient's hospital course and family's understanding of the patient's condition.
• Works with health care team members to increase authorization rates of organ and tissue donation by offering therapeutic interactions and interventions to the families of potential organ and tissue donors.
• Develops thorough working knowledge of the political and internal structures within hospitals and uses this knowledge to improve the organ and tissue donation process.
• Serves as an expert and spokesperson on family support and offering the opportunity of organ and tissue donation to potential donor families.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with hospital and medical staff.
• Works with on-call and patient care team to establish appropriate communications relating to end-of-life care and decisions (huddle process)
• Works with on-call and patient care team to determine when is best to approach each individual family and offer the opportunity of organ and tissue donation.
• Offers potential donor families the donation opportunity and obtains authorization and past/current medical/behavioral histories.
• Documents complete, accurate, and timely information of referral and donor related activities in the confidential donor record, forms, and database according to established policies and procedures.
• Supports donor family through donation process with both on-site presence and phone support.
• Displays a caring and courteous attitude at all times, represents TOSA in a positive manner; demonstrates regard for the dignity and respect of all patients, donor families, and other agencies.
• Maintains the confidentiality of information related to patents, donor families, and other agencies.
• Maintains proper attitude, attendance and punctuality to ensure that the hospital or TOSA are operated in an efficient and effective manner.
• Works to promote and participate in a team approach with other staff members in order to succeed with TOSA goals.
• Educates and collaborates with hospital staff to facilitate the organ and tissue donation process.
• Works with Hospital Development to provide formal and informal in-service educational programs with hospital personnel to increase donor awareness, facilitate a smooth organ and tissue donation process, and to decrease the number of hospital related issues.
• Follows up with the designated hospital services coordinator, on a timely basis, on occurrences impacting the donation process in the respective hospitals.
• Develops and maintains current knowledge of procurement and transplantation.
• Attending all relevant TOSA meetings.
• Provides assistance and services to other organizational departments within TOSA as needed and as appropriate.
• Seeks opportunities for professional growth.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Minimum of three to four years prior relevant work experience and a Bachelor's degree in nursing, life sciences, social work, communications, or related fields preferred.
2. Minimum two years organ procurement organization (OPO) or other donation agency experience preferred.
3. Demonstrates a strong working knowledge of the hospital critical care environment.
4. Demonstrates teamwork, clinical, analytical, organizational, and communication skills in a high stress environment.
5. Ability to work in a diplomatic matter while accomplishing organizational objectives with diverse cultural and socioeconomic groups and individuals.
6. Spanish speaking required.
7. Working knowledge of standard office equipment (computer/fax/copier).
8. A valid driver's license and proof of automobile insurance.
9. Possession of a reliable personal automobile.
10. A physical requirement for the ability to lift at least 50lbs.
11. Maintaining confidentiality regarding all donor information.