Donation Support Specialist

Duties & Responsibilities

The Donation Support Specialist approaches families of potential donors primarily in person and onsite, and responds to onsite assignments of potential donor referrals. They serve as an ambassador and partner with hospital care providers through education and support, aiming to obtain authorization for organ, tissue, and eye donation. The role requires maintaining an individual authorization rate that demonstrates best practice skills in obtaining authorization, completing the authorization process/paperwork with the legal decision maker, and educating the family about the specifics relevant to each authorization.

To honor the loved one's decision to be a donor, the specialist works with the legal next of kin in cases where the potential donor has indicated their decision by first-person authorization. They collaborate with the hospital care team to evaluate and understand family dynamics, aiming to overcome any barriers and prepare to engage with families as timely as possible to offer donation. The specialist also collaborates with Gift of Life clinical personnel to coordinate family conversations when response and readiness triggers have been indicated. They determine when a referral may require consultation/escalation, seek appropriate assistance, and follow provided guidance.

The specialist assesses donor history by accurately completing a Donor Risk Assessment Interview (DRAI) with family members or other appropriate historians. Post-donation follow-up is performed as scheduled. The role requires adhering to department expectations and performing other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Combined total of 7 years’ work experience and education, preferably in a mental health-related field, nursing, a first responder role, pastoral and/or spiritual care, or healthcare.
• Prior experience in a healthcare organization, transplant center, or organ/tissue procurement organization.
• Bilingual in Spanish and/or Arabic preferred.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA): Written and verbal fluency in English, initiative, critical thinking, problem-solving, proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to work with families in crisis, self-directedness, appropriate judgment, effective communication skills, interaction with a diverse public and healthcare population, ability to manage difficult and emotional situations, fast-paced environment, understanding of medical terminology, and organizational culture expectations.