Referral Responder (Paramedic or Respiratory Therapist) - Savannah, GA Area

Join LifeLink Join a Life Saving Team!

More than four decades ago, a visionary group of innovators, led by renowned nephrologist Dr. Dana Shires, made a life-changing commitmentto save lives through organ and tissue donation. From that bold beginning, LifeLink Foundation was established founded with heart, purpose, and a mission that still guides us today.

What started as a nonprofit with big dreams has grown into a vision-driven organization of more than 700 dedicated professionals across west-central Florida, Georgia, parts of South Carolina, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

At LifeLink, we are united by our mission: To honor donors and save lives through organ and tissue donation.

Our vision remains clear: To maximize the gift of life while giving hope to donor families and transplant patients.

We are grounded in the values that shape our work and cultureCompassion. Excellence. Legacy. People. Quality.

If you're inspired by purpose, driven by impact, and ready to help save and heal lives, LifeLink is the place for you.

What You'll Do

As the Referral Responder, you will directly contribute to LifeLink's life-saving mission. The Referral Responder supports the mission, goals, and strategic plan of LifeLink Foundation, Inc. ("LifeLink") by serving as a primary clinical referral management professional responsible for timely evaluation, coordination, and progression of potential organ and tissue donor referrals within the service area. The Referral Responder is a skilled professional responsible for receiving and responding to donor referrals, conducting medical record review, gathering and documenting clinical and prognostic information, and coordinating referral activity with hospital teams to ensure every potential donor is evaluated consistently and promptly. The Referral Responder ensures that all activities align with organizational goals, regulatory requirements, and performance standards. Additionally, the Referral Responder collaborates with division leadership and hospital partners to support timely referral practices, appropriate escalation, effective communication, and a respectful, family-centered approach that ensures the legal next-of-kin is provided the option of donation in accordance with anatomical gift law, hospital policy, and LifeLink practice standards.

Shift: 24 hour shifts approximately 10 days per month

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain the highest standards of professional conduct and interpersonal relationship development, promoting a positive and collaborative work environment aligned with LifeLink's mission, vision, and values.
• Serve as a professional and visible clinical partner to hospitals, demonstrating discretion, sensitivity, and sound judgment in high-acuity and emotionally complex environments.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional LifeLink teams and external partners to support timely referral response, effective communication, and consistent case progression.
• Receive, triage, and manage incoming hospital referrals; screen for donor potential and complete time-sensitive referral evaluations to determine organ and/or tissue donation suitability in accordance with LifeLink policy and applicable guidelines.
• Identify and reinforce clinical triggers and escalation thresholds; provide real-time feedback and initiate consultation or next-step planning when conditions may influence donor acceptance or case direction.
• Obtain, interpret, and document the potential donor's medical and social history, including organ/tissue-specific factors and behavioral risk indicators, consistent with LifeLink policy and regulatory guidance.
• Conduct comprehensive medical record review and clinical synthesis (HPI, PMH, malignancy review, treatments/interventions, diagnostics) and communicate key findings to appropriate LifeLink clinical resources for decision-making.
• Evaluate and support donation pathways, including donation after circulatory death (DCD) screening and progression, consistent with LifeLink practice standards and hospital processes.
• Demonstrate understanding of legal and hospital requirements for death declaration (neurologic and circulatory frameworks as applicable) and the operational interface with donation workflow; apply working knowledge of physiologic changes associated with critical illness and neurologic death to support appropriate escalation and donor management planning.
• Communicate clearly with hospital clinicians regarding case status, information needs, anticipated next steps, and timing considerations; support a professional, responsive hospital experience.
• Identify the patient's legal next-of-kin or legally authorized decision-maker consistent with applicable anatomical gift law and hospital documentation practices.
• Assess family dynamics and support needs (cultural, religious, emotional, informational) and coordinate appropriate LifeLink resources; demonstrate discretion and sensitivity to family circumstances, beliefs, and preferences.
• Guide the facility and LifeLink team process to ensure authorization/consent is requested by a designated requestor in accordance with LifeLink and hospital policy, ensuring families are offered the option to donate in a sensitive, informed, and caring manner.
• Understand and comply with procedural requirements for blood, culture, and typing specimen collection, labeling, and documentation as required by policy and workflow.
• Review, enter, and maintain required information in the donor record accurately and promptly (labs, diagnostics, procedures, risk screening elements, referral communications) within the OPO EMR and related systems; comply with documentation, privacy, confidentiality, and record maintenance standards.
• Provide hospital-based education and real-time donation process support in collaboration with hospital development staff, reinforcing timely referral practices and effective case communication.
• Collaborate with the Medical Examiner/Coroner office as applicable to support jurisdictional requirements for death investigation, authorization constraints, and procedural coordination to satisfy legal requirements.
• Use organizational resources responsibly and with professional judgment; leverage hospital profiles and other operational tools to support effective referral response and documentation.
• Participate in Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) activities as outlined in the OPO QAPI Plan and evaluate personal performance by comparing outcomes to expectations.
• Complete administrative responsibilities and perform other duties as assigned to support departmental operations, performance, and quality objectives.

Who You Are

• Passionate about helping others and making a difference
• Aligned with LifeLink's core values of Compassion, Excellence, Legacy, People, and Quality
• Minimum of an Associate degree in a clinical discipline (e.g., Nursing, Respiratory Therapy), Paramedic certification, Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., biological sciences, health sciences, donation-focused disciplines), or equivalent combination of clinical/donation experience demonstrating competency in medical record review, clinical communication, and acute-care decision support.
• Minimum of two (2) years of relevant clinical experience or donation-focused experience involving medical record review, patient assessment, clinical communication, and time-sensitive coordination. Prefer experience in ICU/ED, rapid response, transport, respiratory therapy, paramedicine, or OPO referral intake/donor management.
• Strong communication skills with demonstrated ability to collaborate with hospital clinicians and support families through sensitive interactions.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds (e.g., equipment, supplies) and perform routine physical tasks associated with field-based clinical work.
• Ability to work independently in a field-based environment while maintaining alignment with centralized operations and escalation pathways.
• Ability to work a rotating schedule and respond to time-sensitive operational demands.
• Requires a valid driver's license with a good driving record, and the ability to meet LifeLink driving requirements.

Working Conditions

High levels of stress due to the emotional and physical demands of the position, including exposure to end-of-life circumstances and family grief. Prolonged periods of sitting and standing, with frequent transitions between hospital units and workspaces. Local and state-wide auto travel required; role is primarily hospital-based and may involve multiple facilities within an assigned region. Variable and rotating on-call and/or shift schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays, depending on operational requirements and duration of case activity. Extensive communication (oral and written) via phone and electronic platforms involving cross-functional teams and external partners. Work in a team-oriented and interactive environment requiring responsiveness, accountability, and consistent follow-through. Potential exposure to healthcare environment hazards (e.g., infectious disease risk) requiring adherence to hospital and LifeLink safety protocols, including PPE use as appropriate.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

LifeLink is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment that reflects the communities we serve.

Ready to Help Change Lives?

Your next career move could be the most meaningful one yet.

Qualifications

Skills

Required

Planning and Prioritizing

Advanced

Professional Attitude, Appearance, Demeanor

Advanced

Organization and Attention to Detail

Advanced