In-house Organ Recovery Coordinator (Critical Care RNs Desired!)

Job Description

Job Description

Sierra Donor Services - New Mexico (SDS) is looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic team member to join us to save lives!! Our mission at SDS is to save lives through organ donation and we want professionals on our team that will embrace this important work!! We want people to join our team in the role of Inhouse Recovery Coordinator with previous experience as a registered nurse (RN) in an ICU or critical care setting.

SUMMARY FUNCTION: 

The In-house Organ Recovery Coordinator is responsible for providing support for organ donation activities within the assigned facility/facilities to maximize opportunities for organ donation. Provides consistency and promotes trust in the donation process by ensuring excellent donor evaluation, management, and organ yield. The In-house Organ Recovery Coordinator works with potential donor families, hospital personnel and transplant hospitals to facilitate efficient recovery of organs and tissues for transplantation. Extensive on-call services and flexibility are required. Significant daily presence in assigned hospital is required. This position collaborates with the medical, nursing and other departments as necessary in the planning, design, implementation, evaluation and maintenance of educational and quality assurance programs related to donation. This position assists with public education and outreach projects.

 

COMPANY OVERVIEW AND MISSION

New Mexico Donor Services is a designated organ procurement organization (OPO) within the state of New Mexico – and is a member of the DCI Donor Services family.

 

For over four decades, DCI Donor Services has been a leader in working to end the transplant waiting list. Our unique approach to service allows for nationwide donation, transplantation, and distribution of organs and tissues while maintaining close ties to our local communities.

 

DCI Donor Services operates organ procurement/tissue recovery organizations: Sierra Donor Services and Tennessee Donor Services with operations in the states of California, New Mexico, and Tennessee. We also maximize the gift of life through the DCI Donor Services Tissue Bank and Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank. 

 

Our performance is measured by the way we serve donor families and recipients. To be successful in this endeavor is our ultimate mission. By mobilizing the power of people and the potential of technology, we are honored to extend the reach of each donor’s gift and share the importance of the gift of life.

 

With the help of our employee-led strategy team, we will ensure that all communities feel welcome and safe with us because we are a model for fairness, belonging, and forward thinking.

Key responsibilities this position will perform include:  

• Performs daily responsibilities to meet the needs of potential donors, donors, donor families, potential donor families, hospital personnel, physicians, and the OPO. Provides rapid on-site response to referrals. Primary responsibilities will occur in the assigned facility where employed. Increased donor activity, staffing shortages, etc. will require assuming responsibilities outside the primary area.

• Evaluates potential donors. Assesses potential donor families, obtains appropriate authorization for donation, conducts Medical/Social History interview, and assists donor families through identification of potential end of life decisions, attending family meetings and providing donation information as needed. Responsible for medical management of donors prior to recovery activities. Directs the placement of anatomical gifts as necessary. Provides transplant surgeons with information necessary to determine appropriate recipients. Coordinates and assists in the surgical recovery of organs and perioperative management of the donor when necessary.

• Coordinates organ placement/organ allocation with transplant programs and surgeons. Provides information necessary to determine medical suitability of organs for designated recipients in accordance with regulatory guidelines including CMS, UNOS, AOPO and company policy. Coordinates with tissue services, as appropriate, to facilitate tissue recovery.

• Coordinates and assists in the surgical recovery of organs and peri-operative management. Assists in arranging transportation for organ recovery teams. Coordinates surgical recovery/packaging and arranges transportation of organs for transplant and/or research. Possesses a working knowledge of pulsatile preservation. Manages all lab specimens for shipment and delivery to laboratories in accordance with established policies.

• Provides support to Hospital Development Coordinator, in the assigned facility, to identify formal and informal leaders, assesses their respective roles, degree of influence and needs. Works collaboratively with these leaders and utilizes their expertise to improve and promote donation. Assists in policy and procedure development. Functions as an expert clinical resource for the hospital regarding organ and tissue donation.

• Participates in decision-making programs and committees in the hospital that have an influence on organ donation, promoting donation and seeking opportunities for further collaboration. Facilitates the donation process.

• Maintains high visibility by conducting rounds to all critical care units with medical teams and functioning as the designated resource within the hospital for all issues related to organ donation. Provides donor and referral follow-up to appropriate hospital staff one-on-one or by post-recovery conferences.

• In partnership with the In-House Donation Specialist (when applicable), develops, provides and evaluates in-house training and in-service educational programs on all aspects of the donation process for hospital staff. Also, collects and reports donation outcome data to various levels of clinical and administrative hospital staff. Documents hospital activities, updates hospital plans, goals, and critical issues in a timely manner on a regular basis.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL TRAITS: Talks and listens to donor families, hospital personnel, and physicians. Visually assesses donors. Reads charts and documents information. Walks, stands, and sits. Lifts and carries containers up to 70 lbs. Drives to and from donor hospitals. Must be able to stand for more than eight hours a day. Requires the ability to work under stress with numerous interruptions, distractions, and changing priorities. Must have a valid driver’s license and ready access to reliable transportation.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education Required: RN/PA or related health care degree or licensure. Or OPO experience commensurate with job requirements.

Experience: Minimum one to two years experience as a Donation Coordinator or Organ Recovery Coordinator.

Licenses/Certifications: Valid driver license required and ability to pass MVR underwriting requirements. May be required to use privately owned vehicle during the scope of company business.