Onsite Clinical Responder

JOB SUMMARY

The Onsite Clinical Responder supports the mission, goals, and strategic plan of the organization by managing all referral activity through authorization, serving as the first point of contact, and ensuring seamless communication with hospital teams throughout the referral process. This role collaborates with hospital staff, physicians, clinical leadership, and internal support teams to facilitate timely and effective case progression while maintaining regulatory and organizational standards.

WORK SCHEDULE

This is a full-time non-exempt position working 12-hour shifts, including days, nights, weekends, holidays as scheduled, and additional hours as needed.

Essential Job Functions

• Trips referrals in a manner that demonstrates quality customer service.
• Performs referral evaluation on-site and via phone according to internal policies and procedures.
• Evaluates medical suitability of potential organ and/or tissue donors, utilizing information from medical records, history and physical examination, and current health status, and checks Texas Donor Registry status on all open referrals.
• Obtains and maintains electronic medical record (EMR) access to all available hospitals and access to the Texas Donor Registry.
• 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.
• Informs hospital staff on the progression of referral process and provides clinical updates to relevant stakeholders.
• 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.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with all levels of TOSA staff, hospital staff, and transplant center staff, along with all other customers and stakeholders.
• Acts as a liaison to Tissue/Eye agencies regarding donation and donor family requests and dynamics.
• Activate transport for 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 and AOC according to established policies and procedures.
• Always displays a caring and courteous attitude, representing TOSA in a positive manner; demonstrates regard for the dignity and respect of all patients, donor families, and other agencies.
• Maintains the confidentiality of information related to patients, donor families, and other agencies.
• Attends and successfully completes TOSA training programs covering referral evaluation, family support, and case start procedures.

Additional Responsibilities

• Participates in interdisciplinary quality meetings, post-donor review with team members, and appropriate management staff.
• Participates in education and training programs for hospitals, transplant programs, and the public.
• Ensure compliance with TOSA’s Safety, Quality, and Multicultural Organizational Plans.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in allied or health science, and/or licensed RN, LVN, Paramedic, RRT, and/or previous OPO experience is preferred.
• A combination of alternative education and experience may be considered in lieu of the formal education requirements.
• Experience in the medical/critical care field is required.
• Must understand medical terminology, basic pathophysiology, and clinical decision-making processes.
• Proficient in the use of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems; expertise with EPIC, Cerner, or Meditech is preferred.
• Strong documentation and data entry skills are required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills are required.
• Must communicate effectively with all personnel levels and represent the organization publicly.
• Demonstrates teamwork, clinical, analytical, organizational, and communication skills in a high stress environment.
• BLS certification.
• Computer & Application Literacy: Proficiency in iTransplant and Microsoft Office Suite. Ability to learn additional systems as needed.