Registered Nurse - Post-Liver Transplant Coordinator (Medical Center)

About the role

At Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group, the Post-Transplant Coordinator is a registered nurse who participates in department initiatives, facilitates and coordinates all aspects of the peri-operative and post-transplant phases of transplantation. The role advances clinical skills while receiving coaching from experienced Transplant Coordinators and management, and interacts with all members of the inter-professional transplant team to ensure coordinated care and achievement of desired treatment outcomes. The position demonstrates clinical knowledge and competence in providing care, using technology, managing emergencies, and advocating for patients and families to monitor and maintain patient rights.

Responsibilities

• Communicate actively and effectively with transplant team members, patients, referring physicians, and other providers; report patient care and family data comprehensively; maintain ongoing communication post-transplant.
• Use therapeutic communication to establish relationships with patients and families and communicate the plan of care; identify and respond to clinical, psychosocial, and economic needs across pre-operative, hospital, and post-transplant phases.
• Discuss the importance of recipient/family/caregiver commitment to the transplant medical and medication regimen and well-care (e.g., immunizations, mammography, pap smears, colonoscopy).
• Foster a teamwork approach in all interactions; anticipate needs of other team members and proactively offer assistance.
• Coordinate with the interprofessional healthcare team the evaluation process for potential transplant candidates.
• Establish mutual educational goals with patients and families; provide education and resources on vital signs, follow-up visits, lab studies and reporting abnormalities, signs/symptoms of rejection/infection, medications, etc.
• Collect and review data pertinent to recipients’ health and organ function per protocol and as needed in follow-up; communicate lab and diagnostic results to transplant physicians; implement changes in drug/treatment therapy as ordered.
• Arrange consultations, diagnostic procedures, and hospitalization when indicated; maintain communication with referring physicians.
• Participate in transplant event processes according to transplant center protocol.
• Monitor patient progress post-transplant, identify complications, and consider interventions with the transplant team.
• Collaborate with nursing staff, social workers, and other providers to establish and implement patient care plans according to current standards.
• Recognize potential problems, abnormal diagnostic findings, and significant changes during the post-transplant phase and coordinate required care.
• Maintain and update recipient status per OPTN/UNOS regulations; maintain comprehensive documentation of donor/recipient transplant information and recipient progress post-transplantation.
• Comply with and maintain knowledge of OPTN/UNOS policies and listing requirements; monitor and submit accurate data for hospital-based statistics and regulatory agencies such as OPTN/UNOS, CMS, and Medicaid to ensure compliance and proper quality outcomes monitoring.
• Validate patient insurance authorization for applicable diagnostic testing; ensure documentation of clinical activities for department charge capture and proper financial management.
• Offer innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement projects; contribute to department initiatives for quality and process improvement.
• Participate in transplant-specific continuous learning; apply evidence-based practice to daily work; review professional literature and attend meetings, sharing insights with colleagues.
• Identify own learning needs and actively seek educational opportunities; ensure career discussions occur with management; complete and update the My Development Plan on an ongoing basis.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited School of Nursing.
• Four years of nursing experience.
• Previous transplant acute care and/or ICU experience preferred.

Licenses and Certifications

• RN – Registered Nurse – Texas State Licensure – Texas Board of Nursing.
• PSV Compact Licensure – Must obtain permanent Texas license within 60 days if establishing Texas residency.
• BLS – Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) – American Heart Association.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Demonstrates skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, verified through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations.
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English to perform essential functions, especially regarding activities impacting patient or employee safety or security.
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members, and co-workers consistent with a customer service focus and positive language principles.
• Strong assessment, organizational, and problem-solving skills evidenced by capacity to prioritize multiple tasks and role components.
• Skilled at managing complex patient caseloads and prioritizing/triaging based on patient status.
• Presents a professional image at work and all work-related events.
• Knowledgeable of OPTN/UNOS policies and listing requirements and CMS Conditions of Participation.
• Participates in department donor awareness events, educational opportunities, and community activities.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft products.

Work Attire

• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: Yes
• Business professional: Yes
• Other (department approved): No

On-Call

Yes — employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies regardless of selection.

Travel

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area: No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area: No