Texas Organ Sharing Alliance (TOSA), founded in 1975, is one of 57 federally designated Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) in the United States. TOSA is committed to a mission of saving lives through the power of organ donation by providing organ donation and recovery services to Central and South Texans wishing to donate, and to those waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. Recognized as a Top Employer, TOSA has staff members in Austin, San Antonio, and McAllen.
JOB SUMMARY: The In-House Specialist Donation supports the mission, goals, and strategic plan of Texas Organ Sharing Alliance by evaluating potential organ donor referrals, maximizing medical management, and developing the assigned hospital to facilitate donation in collaboration with the Administrator on Call (AOC), Organ Recovery Coordinators, Family Services Coordinator, hospital staff, physicians, and TOSA’s Medical Director as needed. The Hospital Donor Coordinator must possess a variety of medical and social skills, in addition to the ability to work independently and make critical decisions within a highly stressful environment.
WORK SCHEDULE: The In-House Donation Specialist at University Hospital is a full-time position. Normal office hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., or 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., or 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Friday. With clinical responsibilities and assigned workload, the schedule may fall outside of normal business hours. When three positions are filled, shifts will rotate on a monthly basis.
KEY FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:
- Performs immediate new referral evaluation on-site and timely update evaluation on-site as indicated according to Clinical Services Policies and Procedures.
- Evaluates medical suitability of potential organ and/or tissue donors, utilizing information from medical records, history and physical examination, and current health status.
- Collaborates with physicians and other hospital staff to develop plan for referral management from initial referral through declaration of death or Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) evaluation.
- Demonstrates an understanding of the legal and hospital requirements for declaration of death and organ donation.
- Identifies the patient’s legal next-of-kin in accordance with state and Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA) statutes.
- Assesses and reports family dynamics according to TOSA’s Family Readiness Assessment Tool with a potential to discuss organ donation/obtain authorization for donation with patient families.
- Obtains detailed Uniform Donor Risk Assessment Interview (UDRAI) with the ability to provide follow-up questions that are clinically relevant.
- In collaboration with Organ Recovery Coordinators (ORC), contacts Medical Examiner, Justice of the Peace, and/or appropriate legal authority to obtain clearance to proceed with organ recovery.
- Within established guidelines, coordinates and maximizes medical management with the hospital staff, consulting physicians, and TOSA staff in order to ensure optimal outcomes for donor families and recipients prior to authorization.
- Assists the primary TOSA organ donor management team with physical assessments and blood draw to start case after authorization should time and staffing permit.
- Documents complete, accurate, and timely information of referral and donor related activities in the confidential donor record, forms, and database according to established policies and procedures.
- Completes daily rounds in all units affected by organ donation.
- Collaborates on education, process improvement initiatives, and standard meetings between Hospital Services Coordinator assigned to University Hospital as well as other Hospital Donor Coordinators.
- Consults TOSA’s AOC according to established policies and procedures.
- Participates in interdisciplinary quality meetings, post-donor review with team members, and appropriate management staff.
- Ensures compliance with TOSA’s Safety, Quality, and Multicultural Organizational Plans.
- Acts as a liaison between TOSA and hospital personnel.
- Development of University Hospital to become maximum organ donor organization. Maintaining a marketing profile on the hospital, containing a complete assessment and analysis of hospital information.
- Obtains post-donor feedback from donor hospital staff after each case.
- Collaborates with the assigned Hospital Services Coordinator to develop the Hospital’s organ donation program, maintains a marketing profile on the hospital that includes a complete assessment and analysis of hospital information.
- Demonstrates knowledge of each pertinent unit of University Hospital and decision-making structure including the structure associated with organ donation communications, etc.
- Collaborates with assigned HSC and additional In-House Donor Specialists to develop customized strategic plans focused on increasing organ donation and improving client relationships.
- Collaborates with assigned HSC and additional In-House Donor Specialists to develop hospital policies, procedures and protocols related to organ donation and organ recovery.
- Facilitates education and training programs for University Hospital staff.
- Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with hospital and medical staff.
- Assesses and reports donation related process errors that fall outside of best practices in organ donation.
- Participates in monthly Donation Council meetings where process improvement initiatives are discussed, planned and measured.
- Conducts regular meetings with hospital administrators/CEO's in hospitals to discuss results of death record reviews, requests assistance in promoting the donor program through key hospital personnel.
- Manages and maintains TOSA's donor Hospital Agreement process.
- Maintains on-going communication with the Director of Hospital Services and Sr. Director of Clinical Operations or designee.
- Seeks opportunities for professional growth.
- Attends and participates in development meetings either in person or by conference calls.