Donation Coordinator

About the Role

The Donation Coordinator is responsible for the management of all activities associated with the optimization and utilization of organs for transplantation, in alignment with Gift of Life Michigan’s core purpose and core values.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and screen potential organ donors by thoroughly reviewing and interpreting hospital records, analyzing laboratory values, diagnostics, and other testing, and documenting required data in the organ donor Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
• Collaborate with Clinical Administrator On-call (CAOC) or designee to determine organ donor and organ suitability.
• Direct the comprehensive critical care medical management of the critically ill organ donor in the ICU, including conducting physical assessments and examinations.
• Order, interpret, analyze, and prescribe therapeutic treatment for diagnostic testing abnormalities (e.g., chest x-ray, EKG, arterial blood gas, bronchoscopy).
• Optimize pulmonary function through ventilator monitoring and management.
• Diagnose and treat common conditions found in critically ill organ donors.
• Document organ donor care and ensure compliance with quality standards and regulations.
• Coordinate all aspects of multi-organ recovery in the operating room, including detailed documentation of recovered organs, biopsies, packaging, labeling, transportation, and chart Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) in accordance with Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) policies.
• Engage with the potential organ donor’s hospital care team to assess the clinical situation and plan of care as it relates to brain death evaluation or withdrawal of support.
• Educate hospital care and organ recovery teams on the organ donation process, including preparation, equipment, sterilization, staff utilization, critical timing, and review of the overall procedure for surgical recovery of organs.
• Search organ donor registry(ies) for documentation of the patient's decision to donate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), or Paramedic (EMT-P) with 18 months of acute and/or critical care experience or a combination of relevant education and other formal healthcare training.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or obtained within six months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Bachelor of Biological Science.
• Certified Procurement Transplant Coordinator (CPTC) certification.
• Prior experience in a healthcare organization, transplant center, or organ/tissue procurement organization.

Skills and Abilities

• Written and verbal fluency in English.
• Ability to exercise initiative, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, including Outlook and Teams, and other technology systems used in business operations.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple and competing priorities.
• Demonstrated attention to detail.
• Strong verbal communication skills.
• Ability to interact effectively with diverse populations, including hospital professionals, transplant centers/surgeons, medical examiners, and organ donor families.
• Ability to manage difficult, sometimes emotional, individuals and situations.
• Self-directed, exercising appropriate judgment.
• Proficient in electronic medical record systems.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to maintain all required certifications, regulatory competencies, and education (ACLS, BLS, advanced skills sets, annual regulatory competencies set by Gift of Life).

Organizational Culture Expectations

• Demonstrate the competencies of Professional, Determined, and Compassionate.
• Maintain a motivated and positive attitude.
• Support an inclusive work environment.
• Ability to successfully collaborate and work as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Actively seek improvements.
• Always maintain a safe working environment and use of Universal Precautions.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality in all areas dealing with sensitive, protected, and confidential information.