Clinical Donation Coordinator - Charleston

About the role

The Clinical Donation Coordinator I (CDC I) supports the mission and organizational goals of We Are Sharing Hope SC (SHSC) through screening and evaluating potential donors, managing organ donors, allocating donated organs according to OPTN/UNOS policy, and coordinating all aspects of organ recovery.

Responsibilities

• Maintains the highest standards of professional conduct and interpersonal relationship development; promoting a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Responds on-site to all potential organ donors within a timely manner, unless prior approval is given by the Administrator on call (AOC).
• Performs clinical screening and evaluation to determine donor suitability for donation after circulatory death (DCD) or brain death donation (BDD) in collaboration with the AOC.
• Completes referral evaluations for the purpose of determining organ and tissue donor suitability based on SHSC, CMS, OPTN/UNOS, AOPO, and CDC guidelines and recommendations.
• Completes hospital medical record review, including history of present illness and past medical history, the presence of past or present malignancies, and all surgical interventions/treatments.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the legal and hospital requirements for death declaration and organ donation.
• Guides the referring agency to ensure informed consent for organ and tissue donation is requested by SHSC staff in accordance with organizational and hospital policy; ensuring that the legal next-of-kin (NOK) is provided the option of organ and tissue donation in a sensitive and caring manner that meets their emotional and cultural needs.
• Provides hospital-based education in collaboration with hospital development staff.
• Works collaboratively with Family Service Counselor (FSC) to obtain informed consent and medical/social history from donor next-of-kin, or family, per SHSC guidelines.
• Collaborates with the Coroner and Medical Examiner’s office to ensure jurisdictional medical and legal requirements for death and organ recovery are satisfied.
• Knowledgeable of the pathophysiological sequelae of brain death and endeavors to physiologically manage the donor to achieve optimal organ function within the parameters defined by the associated protocols under the guidance of the AOC and Medical Director (e.g., monitor bedside and laboratory parameters, initiate donor management directives, maintain optimal ventilation, and seek medical counsel, as appropriate).
• Coordinates placement of organs, per approved OPTN/UNOS guidelines.
• In conjunction with facility Respiratory Therapist and SHSC Medical Director, manages respiratory care to maximize lung recovery.
• Collaborates with ancillary services related to recovery activity (i.e. SHSC Tissue teams, funeral home, coroner, pathologist, OPO’s, and transplant centers, etc.).
• Maintains current knowledge of all SHSC, AOPO, and OPTN/UNOS policies and procedures.
• Completes, maintains, and ensures quality of all data forms required for the donation process.
• Maintains confidentiality on all donor-related activities and internal issues.
• Utilizes resources with discretion and employs professional laterality, when possible (i.e., utilization of hospital profiles, engagement with donor family and hospital staff, etc.).
• Coordinates promotional programs with SHSC’s Hospital Development Department.
• Participates in process improvement and data development projects, including case reviews and research opportunities.
• Performs other duties as requested by Manager of Clinical Services, Director of Clinical Services, President and CEO and/or the SHSC Medical Director.

Qualifications

• Education: Associate degree or higher in nursing, respiratory therapy, paramedic medicine, related biological science (including transplant and donation science), or medical school degree (including foreign degree programs) required.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in nursing, respiratory therapy, or related biological science preferred.
• Experience: Critical care nursing, paramedic medicine, medical technician or related medical experience preferred. Organ donor management experience preferred.
• Computer Skills: Microsoft Office products (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) required. Microsoft Outlook required. Electronic medical records (e.g., Cerner, Epic, Meditech) preferred.
• Certificates & Licenses: Certified Procurement Transplant Coordinator (CPTC) preferred. Certified Transplant Preservationist (CTP) preferred.