Job Description

Job Title: Organ Recovery Coordinator I

Department: Clinical Services

Reports to: Organ Recovery Manager

Exemption: Non-Exempt

Date Revised: 01/01/23

Position Summary

Responsible for the coordination of the organ donation process. This process includes:

• the daily gathering and evaluation of medical and social information of referrals received from hospitals throughout the donor service area
• the use of continual dynamic communication between internal and external team members to establish clear pathways to support the opportunity of donation for donors and donor families
• obtaining donor homeostasis by actively clinically managing the organ donor to optimize organ function for the purpose of transplantation and research
• a competent understanding of the surgical recovery process including organ anatomy and abnormal findings followed by the appropriate packaging of the recovered organs per UNOS policy
• maintain a continual stewardship for the donor, donor LNOK, and LOPA throughout the process
• utilizes discretion and sensitivity with respect to the surrounding circumstances, values and beliefs of others in all interactions.
• has knowledge of all aspects of LOPA’s organ and tissue referral processes, recovery processes, and procedures, including LOPA’s aftercare Family Support Services

Essential Functions

Performs the daily duties within the referral process such as:

• Effective daily communication and assessment of organ referrals that are newly received or previously received from the CSC, including pertinent LNOK updates, current hemodynamics, and the hospital's plan of care
• Identify and communicate the need to have a LOPA staff on-site visit for more detailed evaluation of donation potential, including the implementation of Catastrophic Brain Injury Guidelines(CBIGs) and Donation after Circulatory Death(DCD), when appropriate
• Appropriately completes DCD evaluation of potential donor following authorization

Performs the duties within an organ donor case start as listed below:

• Initiates communication with LOPA staff, hospital staff, coroner liaison, recovery doctor, and LNOK including donor management guidelines, time-line expectations, and opportunity to ask questions. Continual communication must remain throughout the donation process.
  
• Review and confirm accurate documentation of death note(s) and Uniform Donor Death Assessment Interview(UDRAI). Review hospital policy on brain death and donation.
• Correctly obtain and arrange transportation for serological/Nucleic Acid(NAT) and Human Leukocyte Antigen(HLA) testing including notification of appropriate lab personnel
• Provide and assist with implementation of the appropriate laboratory, pharmacological, interventional, and fluid resuscitation needs of the brain dead donor. Suggested treatment therapies and laboratory needs of the DCD donor will be implemented by the hospital’s managing physician.
• Accurately completes physical assessment of the donor and a thorough review of the donor’s medical record
• Accurately documents all pertinent donor information into the clinical database in a timely manner to begin the process of organ allocation and continues communication of donor updates to the Placement Coordinator as needed
• Leads the transfer process of appropriate donors to the Donor Care Center(DCC)
• Competently provide dynamic donor management needs with the assistance of the APC

Performs the duties during the surgical procedure as listed below:

• Review and facilitate the specific requests of the Placement Coordinator, as well as all personnel located within the surgical suite. Provide expected time-lines and opportunity to ask questions.
• Provide the appropriate documentation, equipment, and other requested needs of incoming recovering transplant teams
• Prepare lines, flush solutions, packaging materials, paperwork, blood tubes, ice, sterile slush, and TransNet access upon entering suite
• Review and document anatomy of organs, vasculature, and abnormalities with recovery surgeon
• Package, label, and verify organs, vessels, blood, and tissue typing materials per protocol

Performs the duties following the surgical procedure as listed below:

• Assist in post mortem care including confirmation with appropriate hospital personnel the final disposition of the decedent
• Completes all documentation within the clinical database prior to leaving the recovery site including appropriate communication phone calls

Job Role Expectations

• Effective communication with internal and external colleagues
• Adheres to all LOPA and UNOS guidelines relevant to the organ recovery processes
• Maintains current professional licensure & certifications, BLS, ACLS, PALS
• Maintains all competencies required for the DCC
• Must maintain competency to perform test procedures and report results promptly, accurately, and proficiently. Must also follow the LOPA Lab’s procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analyses, reporting and maintaining records of patient test results.
• Participates in at least one community service event per year
• Maintains all assigned donor hospital EMR access
  
• Attends monthly meetings, assigned educational opportunities, and other assigned scheduled events

Organizational Expectations

• Uphold LOPA core values of selfless, authentic and passionate
• Use constructive and positive communication
• Be a team player
• Hold yourself and others accountable
• Keep a positive attitude
• Be respectful of others
• Timely completion of all required educational training, tasks and SOP reviews by assigned due date

Role Progression

• Progression to Organ Recovery Coordinator II includes successful completion of ORC I orientation, successful completion of Certified Procurement Transplant Coordinator(CPTC) examination, and competency in all requirements of the ORC I job role.
• Completion of LOPA’s Preceptor Program

Work Environment

• Possible exposure to communicable diseases, bloodborne pathogens, airborne illnesses, hazardous materials, pharmacological agents with little likelihood of harm if established health precautions are followed.
• May, at times, have exposure to blood, packaged organs and tissues for transplant and/or research in a hospital setting or while in the office.
• Possible mental and visual fatigue associated with detailed work
• Travel within the U.S., including flying
• Travel to branch office locations
• Work is done indoors in an office setting
• Work in a fast-paced environment with a sometimes demanding time schedule

Physical Demands

• Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.
• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Reaching with hands and arms
• Adjusting or moving objects up to 10 pounds in all directions.
• Communicating with others verbally and electronically to exchange information.
• Stooping, bending, kneeling or crouching
• Considerable time spent walking
• Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
• Use of fine motor skills
• Doing work that requires visual acuity
• Need for ability to hear
• Operating IV pumps, medical equipment
  
• Operating motor vehicles.
• Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.
• Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.
• Medium work that includes moving or lifting objects up to 50 pounds.

Work Hours

• Full time, On-Call position
• Scheduled 288 hours/month; up to 12 days/ 24 call shifts per month or a combination of 12 hour and 24 hour shifts
• Available as needed Monday-Friday 8am to 5pm unless on PTO
• Required to take a minimum of 2 major and 2 minor LOPA designated holidays
• Maintains personal and professional balance, takes care of self

Education and Experience

• Registered Nurse with one year experience working in critical care, emergency medicine, or surgical setting
• Physician’s Assistant with one year experience in critical care or emergency care setting
• Previous OPO organ recovery experience
• Licensed Practical Nurse with two years critical care or emergency care experience
• Licensed Paramedic with two years critical care experience
• Licensed Respiratory Therapist with two years critical care or critical care experience

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suite
• Ability to deliver effective and professional verbal and written communication
• Ability to establish and maintain relationships with internal and external colleagues
• Ability to apply common sense understanding and to solve problems
• Ability to be flexible in a dynamic work environment
• Knowledge of medical terminology
• Ability to maintain confidentiality

“The above is intended to describe the general content and requirements of the job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Other duties may be assigned by management as necessary”.

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