Clinical Practice Specialist

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 Clinical Practice Specialist (CPS) supports the mission, goals, and strategic plan of Texas Organ Sharing Alliance by evaluating potential organ donor referrals, maximizing medical management, allocating donated organs, and coordinating all aspects of the organ recovery in collaboration with the Administrator on Call (AOC), Organ Recovery Coordinator (ORC), Family Services Coordinator (FSC), hospital staff, physicians, transplant centers, TOSA's Medical Director, and Center For Life (CFL) / Center for Hope (CFH) Medical Directors as needed. The CPS collaborates with AOC and Medical Directors to develop, initiate, and evaluate comprehensive evidence-based plans of care for donors, as well as performs advanced practice procedures necessary for the care of organ donors including but not limited to liver biopsy, ultrasound, line placement, and bronchoscopy. The CPS must possess a variety of medical and social skills, in addition to the ability to work independently and make critical decisions within a highly stressful environment.

WORK SCHEDULE: The Clinical Practice Specialist position is a full-time exempt position with on-call requirements as needed. Assignments may require 48 plus hours of continuous service during periods of increased activity, in addition to inter-regional travel.


ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Evaluates medical suitability of potential organ and/or tissue donors, utilizing information from medical records, history and physical examination, and current health status. Collaborates with physicians and other hospital staff to develop plan for referral management from initial referral through declaration of death or Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) evaluation.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the legal and hospital requirements for declaration of death and organ donation.
• Identifies the patient's legal next-of-kin in accordance with state and Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA) statutes.
• Assesses family dynamics and provides families the opportunity for organ and tissue donation in a sensitive and caring manner; one that meets their emotional and cultural needs according to established guidelines.
• Obtains detailed Uniform Donor Risk Assessment Interview (UDRAI) with the ability to provide follow-up questions that are clinically relevant.
• Contacts Medical Examiner, Justice of the Peace, and/or appropriate legal authority to obtain clearance to proceed with organ recovery.
• Shares complex clinical information about donors through extensive interaction with transplant surgeons and coordinators.
• Ensures that all donated organs are allocated in an efficient and equitable manner, in accordance with TOSA and OPTN/UNOS policies.
• Collaborates with AOC's, Medical Directors, Hospital staff, ORC/ORS's to establish, evaluate and implement comprehensive evidence-based plans BID for the medical management of DBD and DCD donors throughout all TOSA regions for the purpose of optimizing donor organ yield.
• Provides advanced practice support for donor procedures including but not limited to line placement, bronchoscopy, liver biopsy, ultrasound, and echocardiograms.
• Institutes tracking, reporting, and plan of compliance for established Donor Management Goals. Serves as the primary liaison with the National DMG Registry project.
• Evaluates SRTR expected organ yield on all donor cases for process improvement and ensure optimal outcomes.
• Conducts and implements scheduled literature and national standard review to insure up to date and evidence-based Donor Management guidelines for the Organ Recovery Coordinators. Maintains and updates Clinical Manual to reflect national standards.
• Participates as a CFL and CFH Medical Director liaison, responsible for CFL/CFH donor case follow-up.
• Collaborates with the Clinical Educator to identify and provide donor management education opportunities. Provides on-site support and education for ORCII candidates during orientation period.
• Oversees the recovery procedure, including Operating Room (OR) donor management and personnel workflow, to ensure optimal organ viability and respect for the donor and their gifts.

• Assists with the preparation and administration of preservation solutions and packaging of organs, verifying that OPTN and TOSA policies are followed. Documents the physical characteristics of organs and all OR related processes.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with all levels of TOSA staff, hospital staff, and transplant center staff.
• Acts as liaison to Tissue/Eye agencies regarding donation and donor family requests and dynamics.
• Assists in transport and maintains all clinical supplies and equipment.
• 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.
• Consults TOSA's Medical Director, CFL/CFH Medical Director, and AOC according to established policies and procedures.
• Assists in donor management research efforts as needed.
• Serves as a team leader and assigns clinical staffing logistics as needed.
• Participates in process improvement initiatives, quarterly clinical forums preparation and presentations, and pursues professional growth.
• Participates in new staff orientation and annual competency completion.
• Demonstrates leadership skills, acts as a mentor, and role model for fellow staff members, and facilitates a teambuilding atmosphere.
• Attends and participates in daily AOC meetings.
• Completes yearly skill competencies to include bronchoscopy, arterial line placement, central line placement, rapid cardiac assessment, FAST exams, and airway skills including intubation.

REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:

1. Competent in ORC I, II, & III responsibilities
2. Demonstrates teamwork, clinical, analytical, organizational, and communication skills in a high stress environment.
3. BLS, ACLS, and PALS certification
4. CPTC certification
5. Working knowledge of standard office equipment (computer/fax/copier).
6. A valid driver's license and proof of automobile insurance.
7. Possession of a reliable personal automobile.
8. A physical requirement for the ability to lift at least 50lbs.
9. Ability to travel by company or personal automobile, or commercial/charter aircraft.
10. Maintains confidentiality regarding all donor information.