Transplant Coordinator I, RN – Kidney Acquisition – Full Time 8 Hour Days (Exempt) (Union)

University of Southern California•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

The Transplant Coordinator I, RN coordinates nursing care and services for kidney transplant patients across the continuum, from initial referral and evaluation through organ procurement, transplant preparation, and post-transplant follow-up. The coordinator develops and maintains standards of care, serves as a clinical resource, and provides consultation and education to patients, families, and staff. The role identifies and addresses clinical issues, supports patient evaluation and discharge planning, maintains required clinical documentation and databases, and coordinates outpatient care and communications with transplant clinics, referring physicians, insurance case managers, and community providers. The coordinator works independently within clinical skills and established processes, and collaborates with a multidisciplinary transplant team. Responsibilities include maintaining the UNOS waiting list, coordinating donor procurement and recipient preparation, facilitating evaluation and listing in accordance with CMS and OPTN/UNOS requirements, participating in policy development and quality activities, and overseeing delegated assignments to support staff. The position also participates in research or process improvement activities and keeps current with applicable regulations and clinical education. Keck Hospital of USC is a 343-bed acute care hospital providing specialized care for complex medical and surgical conditions. It is a leading academic medical center with clinical trials and affiliated research institutions. The role is full-time, 8-hour days, exempt, and union-represented.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN); a Master’s Degree in Nursing may be accepted in lieu of a BSN.
At least one year of transplant coordinator experience in heart, lung, liver, or kidney/pancreas transplantation.
For heart transplant: one year of cardiology experience; for lung transplant: one year of pulmonary experience; for liver transplant: one year of abdominal transplant experience; for kidney/pancreas transplant: one year of abdominal transplant experience.
Alternatively, two years of organ procurement experience and two years of critical care experience.
Excellent communication skills, including proficient English speaking, reading, and writing.
Knowledge of medical procedures and conditions and ability to perform duties, including whole blood collection and apheresis procedures, in accordance with applicable administrative and clinical policies, regulations, and procedures.
Active California Registered Nurse (RN) license from the CA Board of Registered Nursing.
Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider certification from the American Heart Association.
Fire Life Safety Training (LA City); if not held upon hire, it must be obtained within 30 days of hire and renewed before expiration. Required within LA City only.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree in Nursing or enrollment in a Master’s program is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Independently coordinate outpatient transplant patient care, including participating in clinic visits, analyzing diagnostic tests, monitoring patient and family adherence to medical regimens, reviewing laboratory and other pertinent data, communicating findings to the attending provider, and addressing patient care problems.
Coordinate donor procurement and recipient preparation, including maintaining the UNOS waiting list, communicating donor and recipient status to transplant team members, and coordinating admission and preoperative preparation.
Participate in developing policies and procedures for the transplant program.
Develop and participate in formal and informal educational programs for patients and families, nursing staff, and medical staff.
Serve as a resource for staff involved in the care of transplant patients and their families.
Communicate identified patient and family problems to multidisciplinary team members and assist with appropriate interventions.
Keep current with hospital, CMS, and OPTN/UNOS regulatory requirements, transplant clinical education, and evidence-based research.
Facilitate the evaluation and listing process for potential transplant patients within scope of practice and applicable regulatory requirements.
Maintain communication with referring physicians and insurance case managers, provide necessary information and records, and educate them about transplant evaluation, listing, and organ allocation.
Maintain the UNOS waiting list, complete required TIEDI forms, manage the internal departmental database, and collect and maintain transplant-process data as requested.
Oversee assignments delegated to support staff, evaluate their performance, and provide direct supervision in completing assignments.
Work independently within clinical skills and established patient-flow processes, and collaborate with the multidisciplinary transplant team across the continuum of care.
Attend department quality meetings and participate in department QAPI activities.
Follow hospital policies, including attendance, punctuality, and dress code requirements, and maintain a professional and positive attitude.
Perform other duties as assigned.