Independent Living Donor Advocate PD

Brown Medicine•Cranston, RI

8d•$24 - $40•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Chaplaincy Program leadership, the Independent Living Donor Advocate (ILDA) functions as an advocate and resource for the Transplant Program's living kidney donor candidates throughout referral, evaluation, surgery and follow-up (the donation process). Ensures that the donor's rights are protected, that their best interests are promoted and that all questions and concerns raised during the donation process are addressed. Respects and supports the donor's decision and ensures that it is fully informed and free from any coercion. The ILDA is a transplant program position with regulatory requirements from CMS (Medicare) and UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) and TJC (The Joint Commission). Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another. In addition to our values, all employees are expected to demonstrate the core Success Factors which tell us how we work together and how we get things done. The core Success Factors include: Instill Trust and Value Differences Patient and Community Focus and Collaborate

Requirements

Background can include experience in the field of medicine, nursing, social work, psychology, chaplaincy, or other appropriate disciplines.
Approved / deemed qualified by the Transplant Program leadership.
Completion of transplant center-specific orientation and applicable training for this role.
Bachelor's degree preferred.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Strong interpersonal skills; the ability to actively listen.
Ability to effectively communicate assessments and concerns to the transplant team.
Ability to confidently and diplomatically advocate to the transplant team on behalf of the donor's best interests.
Has knowledge of, or has the ability, to be oriented and educated in the topics of living organ donation, transplantation, medical ethics and informed consent.
Ability to understand the potential impact of family dynamics and other external pressures on the living donor candidate's decision whether to donate, and has the ability to discuss these sensitive issues with the donor.
Able to work collaboratively with, but independently from, the transplant team (to avoid conflicts of interest).
Prior experience working in a multi-disciplinary healthcare team of physicians, nurses, social workers, other allied health professionals and administrative staff.

Responsibilities

Represents and advises the donor candidate throughout the donation process with the goal of protecting their rights and promoting their best interests.
Provides a safe environment for the potential donor to express questions and concerns regarding the evaluation process or transplant surgery.
Contacts the potential donor upon initial referral, introduces self, explains role, and briefly describes the donor evaluation process.
Documents all interactions with the donor in the transplant program record.
Actively participates in the evaluation and informed consent process with the Living Donor Coordinator and the prospective donor.
Meets in person with the potential donor to discuss informed consent, risks, and motivation to donate, ensuring no coercion.
Reviews the voluntary nature of living kidney donation and assesses the donor's understanding.
Ensures a comprehensive psychosocial evaluation of the donor candidate has been done by a licensed mental health professional.
Maintains ongoing communication with the Living Donor Coordinator and discusses any concerns or issues with the donor team.
Contributes to the transplant team's assessment by providing information about the donor's understanding and reservations.
Reviews the donor's right to confidentially opt out at any time.
Checks in with the donor candidate once cleared for donation and a surgery date is scheduled, assessing their feelings about the decision and workup process.
Confirms that all necessary information has been provided, risks have been considered, and a supportive social network exists.
Confirms the donor's decision is made free from coercion.
Supports the donor candidate's decisions, including withdrawal from the process.
Meets with living donor during hospitalization after surgery to determine how they are feeling and if there are any issues or concerns.
Is available to the donor throughout the recovery process.
Calls the donor at 6 weeks post-hospitalization discharge to check in on their decision and emotional/psychological status.
Responds in a timely and proactive way to resolve donor questions or concerns and/or communicates information to the transplant team.
Attends bi-weekly transplant multidisciplinary Living Donor Committee meetings and provides information, input, and notes concerns.
Remains current in knowledge applicable to this position, including transplantation and living organ donation, informed consent, medical ethics, UNOS/OPTN policy and CMS requirements.
Performs other duties as assigned.