Organ Donation Specialist

Albany Medical Center • Albany, NY

4d • $65,102 - $100,908 • Onsite

About The Position

The Organ Donation Specialist serves Capital District hospitals to respond to donor referrals, help determine donation suitability, and provide exceptional support to potential donor families and hospital personnel. Ideal candidates will have the following: -Experience communicating/supporting families in grief, crisis, etc -Knowledge of critical care and comfort level within the ICU environment -Experience in an on-call role The Center for Donation & Transplant (CDT) is one of 55 federally designated organ procurement organizations. CDT partners with over 40 hospitals in Upstate New York and Western Vermont to facilitate donation and educate its local communities. More information about CDT can be found at www.cdtnyvt.org. The Donation Specialist supports the mission of CDT by inspiring our community, offering hope and changing lives through the gift of organ, eye and tissue donation. This mission-driven individual works to ensure that the family of each potential donor is treated with the utmost sensitivity and care through each step of the organ donation process. These efforts support the opportunity for lifesaving organ transplantation for the over 100,000 people on the U.S. waiting list. In addition to supporting families at end-of-life, the Donation Specialist helps provide effective hospital development (ex: real-time education, inservicing) to support assigned partner hospitals. Overall, this is an incredible opportunity for an experienced medical and/or human services professional (SW, Chaplain, RN, RT, etc) who wants to make a lifesaving impact in the lives of many. The Donation Specialist's primary duties are: On-call: Is available on-call 24/7 during designated days of the month (typically at least 10 days p/month, including weekend commitment) to respond to hospitals to evaluate donor referrals and work with potential donor families. Obtain authorization: Collaborates with the hospital health care team to meet with potential donor families regarding the option of donation. In a sensitive and caring manner, leads the discussion about donation with patients’ families. Utilizes a "dual advocacy" approach to optimize the effectiveness of messaging to those considering the option of donation. Provides family support: Provides emotional support and ongoing updates regarding the status of the donation process. Helps connect families to hospital services, as needed (ex: social work, pastoral care, child/life, etc). Supports CDT colleagues: partners with the CDT staff and the hospital care team to begin the clinical aspects of donation (ex: documentation, blood draw, hand off to CDT clinical team member). Workplace is generally within partner hospitals. When not in the hospital setting, staff work/respond from home. Presence within the CDT office is requested for team trainings, monthly staff meetings, etc. The ideal candidate will reside no longer than 60 minutes from Albany Medical Center. In general, candidates must be able to respond to Albany Medical Center/area hospitals within 60 minutes (weather permitting). CDT provides a cell phone, laptop and other technical equipment. Company vehicles are available for use. If driving a personal vehicle, mileage is reimbursed at the federal mileage rate for any work associated with referral response, family support and hospital development. Compensation is comprised of: Base salary (ex: $75,000 p/year) On-call (paid flat rate per day, ex: $52 p/week day, $78 p/weekend day) Supplemental (1.5x hourly rate for any hour over 40 in a given week)

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (social work, business, nursing, psychology, etc). The Bachelor's requirement may be waived for candidates with significant relevant experience (ex: military service)
• At least one year of experience in an on-call role
• At least one year of experience within a related field and hospital setting (critical care, ED, social work, etc)
• Demonstrated excellence communicating and supporting families/patients in acute grief, crisis, etc

Nice To Haves

• Experience communicating/supporting families in grief, crisis, etc
• Knowledge of critical care and comfort level within the ICU environment
• Experience in an on-call role

Responsibilities

• Is available on-call 24/7 during designated days of the month (typically at least 10 days p/month, including weekend commitment) to respond to hospitals to evaluate donor referrals and work with potential donor families.
• Collaborates with the hospital health care team to meet with potential donor families regarding the option of donation. In a sensitive and caring manner, leads the discussion about donation with patients’ families. Utilizes a "dual advocacy" approach to optimize the effectiveness of messaging to those considering the option of donation.
• Provides emotional support and ongoing updates regarding the status of the donation process. Helps connect families to hospital services, as needed (ex: social work, pastoral care, child/life, etc).
• partners with the CDT staff and the hospital care team to begin the clinical aspects of donation (ex: documentation, blood draw, hand off to CDT clinical team member).

Benefits

• Excellent health care coverage with no copay at Albany Medical Center providers
• A wide array of services and programs to support emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level