Transplant Coordinator (Registered Nurse), Surgery, 40 Hours (Days)

Transplant Coordinator (Registered Nurse)

The Transplant Coordinator (RN) assists with screening and managing waitlist of patients for kidney transplantation, provides patient education and support, acts as liaison between the New England Organ Bank (NEOB) and all referring hospitals, and practices within regulations set forth by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).

The Transplant Program at Boston Medical Center provides care to patients requiring a kidney transplant, living kidney donors, and patients requiring dialysis access. This Transplant Coordinator (RN) will support the post kidney transplant patients and be a member of the Transplant Multidisciplinary team. Working mostly in the ambulatory outpatient clinic with some inpatient rounding/teaching, this nurse coordinator will work closely with nephrologists, surgeons, social workers, practice assistants, and other nurse coordinators who work with the pre-transplant and living donor populations. The responsibilities include management of patients throughout all phases of transplantation: evaluation, listed for transplant and post-transplant. While all coordinators will have knowledge of each phase, the primary responsibility for this position is to manage patients who are in the post-transplant phase of the transplant process. Will cross cover for other coordinators as needed. Previous experience working in an outpatient setting with a large patient population is required; experience with transplant patients or dialysis patients is preferred. This is a fast-paced, highly regulated environment requiring ability to work independently within the nursing scope of practice, attention to detail and efficient work habits. The position requires:

• Collaboration with the on-call physician and other coordinators supporting all patients on the Waitlist for Organ offers
• Ensuring that the responsibilities associated with the role transplant coordinator are carried out in a manner that meets all regulatory requirements for a transplant program
• Coordinating information from referring physician, testing and clinic visits required for potential transplant recipient and living donor as defined in clinical pathways
• Providing educational information to recipients, donors, primary caregivers regarding all aspects of transplantation/donation including pre-transplant, operative procedure, post-operative management and monitoring, long term follow-up and research protocols
• Participating in the medical and surgical outpatient clinics with the collaborating physicians and surgeons; reviewing outpatient lab values and testing results; working with physician/surgeon as needed to adjust care plan.
• Coordinating and facilitating discharge planning with in-patient team to maintain continuity of care.
• Providing accurate, appropriate and timely documentation to meet state and federal regulatory requirements and ensures that the responsibilities associated with the role transplant coordinator are carried out in a manner that meets all regulatory requirements for a transplant program.

Department: Surgery

Schedule: 40 Hours (Days)

Essential Responsibilities / Duties:

• Provides direction and counseling to Transplant Program patients and their families throughout the transplant process as observed by the Transplant Program Nurse Director, Chief, and Medical Director.
• Meets with potential transplant recipients and family to discuss the various transplant options and to explain the procedures involved in the transplant process.
• Encourages patients to participate in the decision-making process, provides support to patients and families to reduce anxieties and increase understanding
• Provides patients teaching prior to discharge and ongoing teaching for the patient and family in the outpatient clinic.
• Acts as patient advocate in the transplant process by communicating patient's concerns and feelings to members of the Transplant Program Multi-Disciplinary Team.
• Develops, institutes and maintains a plan of care suited to the patient/family needs in cooperation with the Transplant Team.
• Follows protocols to list patients for transplantation and accompanies post-operative progress.
• Coordinates pre-transplant evaluation tests for candidates from Boston Medical Center and referring hospitals.
• Acts as a liaison between primary care physicians, dialysis nurses, and the Transplant Team to update patient's medical history/results while awaiting transplantation.
• Arranges tissue typing (identifying markers and matching) with the New England Organ Bank for recipients from cadaveric and living donors.
• Attends clinic to monitor patient's post-up course, i.e., vital signs, assesses wounds, removes staples and reviews prescribed medication.
• Provides continuity of care during hospitalization.
• Communicates the Transplant Team's plan of care to hospital staff and collaborates with nursing and social services to develop an effective discharge plan.
• Assists patients in finding a convenient pharmacy for post-up medications.
• Collaborates with patients and with the Department of Social Work Service to ensure medical insurance for medication.
• Participates in weekly medical/surgical Transplant Committee meetings, presenting the status of donor-recipient evolution.
• Maintains EPIC patient lists including progress of all patients transplanted at Boston Medical Center.
• Provides follow-up data required by the United Network for Organ Sharing, the New England Organ Bank and HICFA.
• Participates in the clinical studies being conducted by the Department of Surgery. Ensures adherence to study protocols and maintains all patient data pertinent to the study projects. Communicates with the clinical monitor on a regular basis to ensure adherence to FDA guidelines.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age group of adult, and geriatric patients regularly serviced.
• Conforms to hospital standards of performance and conduct, including those pertaining to patient rights, so that the best possible customer services and patient care may be provided.
• Utilizes hospital's cultural beliefs as the basis for decision making and to support the hospital's mission and goals.
• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned or as needed.

Job Requirements

Education:

A Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing is required. Certification is required after first year of hire.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations Required:

• Requires a current license to practice nursing in Massachusetts.

Experience:

• Requires 3 years of experience in a clinical position. Some experience in dialysis and/or organ transplantation preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

• Work requires analytical ability to assess the suitability of patients entering the transplant program, and assess progress of patients who had transplants performed.
• Requires interpersonal skills sufficient to communicate effectively with patients, families, the health care team and referring staff.
• Ability to analyze and solve problems in a systematic, logical, and timely manner.
• Ability to work with various types of databases, systems, EMRs, and Windows Office programs, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently.