Organ Recovery Coordinator

MIDWEST TRANSPLANT NETWORK INC•Westwood, KS

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for coordination of all procurement activities related to the recovery of organs for transplantation. This role requires a strong working knowledge of operating room etiquette and sterile technique, and maintaining compliance with established standards of the OR environment. The coordinator is responsible for the entire organ recovery process, making appropriate decisions and effectively communicating with all transplant teams and hospital partners. This includes verification of donor information and essential documents, coordination of the recovery, and all documentation. The role also involves recognizing and identifying normal organ anatomy, communicating effectively with transplant centers, and documenting accurately. Flushing, packaging, and labeling organs according to OPTN policies and procedures, and performing non-sterile aspects of kidney preservation pump management are key duties. Knowledge of donor management and assisting with donor management in the operating room is also required. The coordinator must independently operate and troubleshoot clinical equipment in Donor Care Unit Recovery Suites, and ensure timely and accurate documentation in True North and all required paperwork. All aspects of the donation process must be conducted in compliance with established federal and state laws, AOPO and AATB standards, UNOS and FDA guidelines, CDC and MTN policies. The role demands the ability to calmly and effectively lead the team during the recovery process, manage difficult situations, and advocate for maximizing the gift of donation. Establishing and maintaining positive relationships with internal MTN staff, hospital staff, transplant center partners, and others involved in the donation process is crucial. Interaction with donor families prior to and after organ recovery may be needed. The coordinator serves as an expert resource to recovery surgeons on SOPs and recovery protocols. They will accompany local transplant surgeons and independently perform responsibilities for organ recovery and transportation, including organ preservation, flush, packaging, labeling, and donor documentation review for cases outside the MTN service area. Facilitating the import of organs, communicating with accepting transplant surgeons, and confirming transportation are also part of the role. Surgical support and communication to transplant centers in the living donation process are provided as needed. Completion of QA and QI processes, post-donor follow-up, and maintenance of donation information in MTN database and UNET are also required.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree in Biological Science, Nursing, P.A., Allied Health, or Certified scrub technician. Otherwise, a minimum of three years' experience in organ and tissue procurement.
Maintains an on-call schedule of approximately twelve to fifteen 24-hour call days per month (50% call).
Operating Room process knowledge and knowledge of sterilization techniques.
Ability to work a minimum of 40 hours per week and participate in 24-hour call.
Must be available on non-call days during normal business hours.
Required to work and remain standing for extended periods of time with few breaks.
Must maintain a valid driver’s license in accordance with MTN motor vehicle policy.
Must have reliable personal automobile transportation to be used with company reimbursement using IRS guidelines.
Must be able to travel within the service area by ground or air and be physically present onsite at all hospitals within MTN’s Donation Service Area (DSA)
Excellent organization and time management skills; ability to function independently and collaboratively; demonstrated problem-solving and creative thinking skills and well-developed personal stress management skills.
Ability to lift 60 pounds and transfer short distances with assistance.
Possess good fine and gross motor dexterity to support the frequent handling and use of procurement instruments and devices.
Ability to speak and communicate clearly to accurately convey information to donor families, hospital staff and transplant/procurement personnel in person or by phone.
OSHA Category I – Exposed regularly to bloodborne pathogens while performing assigned job duties. Bloodborne pathogens protection is required.
Home internet and wireless phone access may be required.

Nice To Haves

Strong working knowledge of operating room etiquette and sterile technique.
Ability to recognize and identify normal organ anatomy, communicate effectively with transplant centers and document accurately.
Knowledge of donor management and assists with management of the donor in the operating room.
Demonstrated ability to calmly and effectively lead the team during the recovery process, while managing difficult situations, including surgeon challenges, always advocating for maximizing the gift of donation.
Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with internal MTN staff, hospital staff, transplant center partners, and others involved in the donation process.
Ability to interact appropriately with donor families prior to and after organ recovery if needed.
Serves as an expert resource to recovery surgeons on SOP's and recovery protocols.

Responsibilities

Coordinates the entire organ recovery process, makes appropriate decisions and effectively communicates with appropriate parties.
Independently completes all duties related to the coordination of the organ recovery process, including communication with and supporting all transplant teams and hospital partners, verification of donor information and essential documents, coordination of the recovery and all documentation.
Ability to recognize and identify normal organ anatomy, communicate effectively with transplant centers and document accurately.
Ability to flush, package and label all organs according to OPTN policies and procedures.
Performs all non-sterile aspects of kidney preservation pump management.
Knowledge of donor management and assists with management of the donor in the operating room.
Independently operates and trouble shoots all clinical equipment in Donor Care Unit Recovery Suites, including cautery machine, Neptune, defibrillator, slush machine, fluid warmer, Surgi-slush, Operating Room table, OR integration system.
Responsible for timely and accurate documentation in True North and all required paperwork.
Conducts all aspects of the donation process in compliance with established federal and state laws, AOPO and AATB standards, UNOS and FDA guidelines, CDC and MTN policies.
Demonstrated ability to calmly and effectively lead the team during the recovery process, while managing difficult situations, including surgeon challenges, always advocating for maximizing the gift of donation.
Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with internal MTN staff, hospital staff, transplant center partners, and others involved in the donation process.
Ability to interact appropriately with donor families prior to and after organ recovery if needed.
Serves as an expert resource to recovery surgeons on SOP's and recovery protocols.
Accompanies local transplant surgeons and independently perform responsibilities needed to ensure organs are successfully recovered and transported to the appropriate transplant center, such as organ preservation and flush, packaging and labeling, and donor documentation review on organ cases recovered outside the MTN donor service area.
Facilitates the import of organs from outside the MTN service area, communicates with the accepting local transplant surgeon, MTN laboratory and confirms transportation of the imported organ to the appropriate transplant center.
Provides surgical support and communication to transplant centers as needed in the living donation process.
Completion of QA and QI processes as required by MTN Policies and Procedures.
Conducts post donor follow-up with hospitals, transplant centers, and donor families as needed.
Maintenance of donation information in MTN database and UNET.
Assists with the orientation, training and ongoing education as appropriate.
Assists the Hospital Services Department by providing stakeholder education on the organ recovery process when needed.
Demonstrates ability to create an environment that promotes learning.
Participates in departmental growth and improvement activities.
Ability to serve as a resource for other departments.
Maintains necessary supplies needed to facilitate recoveries for the organ procurement department.