In-house Family Care Coordinator

Sierra Donor Services New Mexico is a designated organ procurement organization (OPO) within the state of New Mexico and part of the DCI Donor Services family. For over four decades, we have been a leader in working to end the transplant waiting list, extending the reach of each donor’s gift and sharing the importance of the gift of life.

About the role

The In-house Family Care Coordinator facilitates all aspects of organ donation within assigned facilities to maximize opportunities for organ donation. This role provides consistency and promotes trust in the donation process by ensuring excellent donor evaluation, management, and organ yield. The coordinator works with donor hospital personnel, physicians, and Organ Recovery Coordinators (ORCs) or Donation Coordinators (DCs) to obtain organ and tissue authorization, utilizing consistent communication and empathy for both donor families and potential transplant recipients. Extensive on-call services are required, and the role may assist with the bereavement program, providing care to both donor and non-donor families.

Responsibilities

• Provides extensive on-call services to obtain authorization for organ and tissue donation, with responsibilities affected by donor activity and staffing levels.
• Facilitates the authorization process for potential organ and tissue donor families prior to, during, and after death declaration.
• Evaluates potential donors, assesses donor families, obtains authorization, conducts Medical/Social History interviews, and assists families through end-of-life decisions.
• Responsible for medical management of donors prior to recovery activities and directs the placement of anatomical gifts.
• Provides transplant surgeons with information necessary to determine appropriate recipients.
• Coordinates and assists in the surgical recovery of organs and perioperative management of the donor.
• Supports the Hospital Development Coordinator by identifying formal and informal leaders, assessing their roles, and collaborating to improve donation processes.
• Assists in policy and procedure development and serves as an expert clinical resource for hospitals regarding organ and tissue donation.
• Visually assesses donors, interprets charts, documents information, and communicates findings to hospital staff and physicians.
• Maintains communication with hospital staff and attending physicians regarding the donor family’s understanding of prognosis and acts as a family advocate.
• Provides education to families on brain death, cardiac cessation, and withdrawal of support, and discusses donation opportunities to obtain authorization.
• Establishes support systems for families if the potential donor stabilizes and is no longer considered for donation.
• Provides bereavement program information and follow-up letters to donor families, and facilitates donor family and recipient communication per company policy.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• RN, PA, Paramedic, or related healthcare degree/licensure; BA/BS preferred or equivalent work experience.
• OPO experience preferred.
• Two to four years of healthcare experience with families, counseling, bereavement, and/or crisis intervention; acute care social worker experience strongly desired.
• Valid driver’s license with ability to pass MVR underwriting requirements.
• Working knowledge of computers and basic data entry skills.
• Must drive to on-call assignments and communicate verbally and in writing with families, hospital personnel, and physicians.
• New employees must have their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by their potential start date or supply proof of vaccination.

Benefits

• Up to 184 hours of PTO in the first year.
• Up to 72 hours of sick time in the first year.
• Two medical plans (PPO or HDHP), dental, and vision coverage.
• 403(b) plan with matching contribution.
• Company-provided term life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance.
• Wellness program.
• Supplemental insurance benefits (accident coverage, short-term disability).
• Discounts on home, auto, renter, and pet insurance.
• Cell phone discounts through Verizon.
• Monthly phone stipend.