RN Transplant Coordinator

Description

Job Description: Transplant coordinator coordinate solid organ (liver, kidney, pancreas and multi-organ) transplantation of all pediatric and adult organ recipients. The transplant coordinator is a primary and key member of a multidisciplinary team responsible to coordinate and organize the care of the transplant patient and provides follow-up and care throughout the continuum of care including pre-transplant, transplant admission and post-transplant phases. Educate patients, families and other care givers to the unique aspects of transplantation including; organ donation, pre transplant care, peri transplant care and post-transplant / follow up care. S/he is a clinician, educator, investigator, consultant and leader. S/he makes clinical judgments based upon a synthesis of current research, concepts, principles, theories and outcomes to solve complex problems. The transplant coordinator serves to educate medical professionals to unique aspects of transplantation including; organ donation, pre transplant care, peri transplant care and post-transplant / follow up care. Maintain regulatory integrity and adherence to established regulations throughout all processes. As an integral member of the larger multidisciplinary team, the transplant coordinator contributes to excellence in patient care, research teaching and in providing leadership to the organization

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Critical thinking, time management and organizational skills are essential. Ability to work and thrive as a key part of a dynamic multidisciplinary team, with strong presentation and decision making skills. Knowledge of healthcare industry trends, medical procedures, patient assessment, and regulatory requirements. Written and oral communication is essential, the ability to present education materials to many types of audiences. Attention to details, effective communication and documentation with numerous physician, organ procurement organization, operating room (or), intensive care unit (ICU) and emergency department (ED) staff, the patient and patient family are required.

Responsibilities

Clinical Practice:

• Provides daily clinical assessment of transplant patients throughout all phases of care, demonstrating critical thinking skills and functioning with a high level of autonomy.
• Coordinates evaluation process for pre-transplant (referral) patients to ensure effective use of hospital and clinical resources.
• Assesses post-transplant organ function and general health status and collaboratively determines need for additional assessment or intervention.
• Facilitates the scheduling of studies or procedures for diagnostic purposes utilizing fiscal responsibility for patient and hospital costs.
• Participates in the development and implementation of protocol and standards of care for the transplant patients collaborating with the multidisciplinary team.
• Assists nurses and other staff to access, plan, and implement and evaluate the care of the transplant patients.
• Monitors the process and outcomes of routine care to determine quality outcomes and performance improvement processes.
• Provides on-call coverage, including coordination of activities prior to transplant and as medical triage for outpatients in collaboration with the physician/provider on-call.
• Coordinates transplantation processes when a donor is available (24 hours/7 days a week) including communication between physicians, organ procurement organizations, patient/family and medical teams including; ED, or, ICU, blood bank, and histocompatibility laboratory.
• Reviews patient's medical care including lab and procedural results review, accurate maintenance of medication reconciliation, assessment of patient issues and triage care with transplant providers, while demonstrating a complete commitment to the overall welfare of the patient.
• Completes necessary documentation according to regulatory requirements per centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) and the united network for organ sharing (UNOS).
• Communicates in a timely manner with the multidisciplinary team and patients/family regarding all care issues.
• Collaborates effectively with all multidisciplinary team members and all care teams/disciplines involved with care of the transplant patient.
• Maintains patient transplant record with current data to facilitate communication.
• Plans nursing care and medical procedures with fiscal responsibility by working collaboratively with transplant administrators, financial coordinators, Health System utilization review and third-party case managers.

Teacher/Educator:

• Educates potential recipient and donor candidates, their families and care givers throughout the continuum of care. Educates recipients and post donation patients to ensure maximum outcomes.
• Develops patient education materials or identifies external resources that are appropriate for the patient education in all phases of transplantation care.
• Educates nurses and other multidisciplinary care team members about patient care issues to promote positive outcomes for transplant patients.
• Provides education and consultation about transplantation, and organ donation for the community at large.
• Serves as a resource person/preceptor in organ transplant for graduate and undergraduate nursing programs.
• Participates or leads team conferences, rounds or meetings in relation to care of the transplant patient or program issues.

Research utilization and scholarly inquiry:

• Interprets research and published data to nursing staff and colleagues concerning current issues in transplantation including those of a clinical, legal, ethical and economic nature.
• Incorporates research relating to the care of the transplant patient into evidence-based practice while collaboratively determining appropriateness with the medical team.
• Identifies areas for study and participates in and/or designs and conducts research.

Consultant:

• Serves as a consultant to nurses and other health care professionals regarding the care of the organ transplant patient.
• Advises referring physicians/nurses in the care of the patient in collaboration with the surgical and medical teams.
• Serves as a community consultation resource regarding transplantation and organ donation.
• Consults with unit leadership to resolve issues relating to transplant patients.

Professional leadership and development:

• Role models professional nursing through conduct, appearance, communication, mutual respect, leadership, ethical decision-making, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Communicates effectively to maintain positive working relationships and achieve desired outcomes.
• Supports and participates in the strategic plan for university transplant, UMMC, nursing and ancillary support services.
• Participates in university transplant departmental committees and hospital-wide committees or task forces or meetings as indicated.  
• Participates in organ transplant program planning.
• Demonstrates responsibility for the professional practice through active participation in professional organizations, continuing education, and active participation in departmental meetings/education opportunities.  
• Enhances the body of knowledge in nursing and solid organ transplantation through exchange of ideas and knowledge using venues such as posters, newsletters, presentations and publications.
• The duties listed are general in nature and are examples of the duties and responsibilities performed and are not meant to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Management retains the right to add or change duties at any time.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

Requires occasional exposure to unpleasant or disagreeable physical environment such as high noise level and exposure to heat and cold, occasional exposure to biohazardous conditions such as risk of radiation exposure, blood borne pathogens, fumes or airborne particles, and/or toxic or caustic chemicals which mandate attention to safety considerations, occasional working hours significantly beyond regularly scheduled hours, occasional travelling to offsite locations, occasional activities subject to significant volume changes of a seasonal/clinical nature, constant work produced subject to precise measures of quantity and quality, occasional bending, occasional lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds, occasional crouching/stooping, occasional driving, occasional pushing/pulling, occasional reaching, constant sitting, frequent standing, occasional twisting, and constant walking. (occasional-up to 20%, frequent-from 21% to 50%, constant-51% or more)

Requirements

Education & Experience: Licensed as RN for at least one (1) year.

Certifications, Licenses or Registration Required: Valid RN license and Basic Life Support (BLS)

Preferred Qualifications: Nursing experience in an intensive care environment, related nursing experience, or transplant experience preferred. BSN preferred. Certified Clinical Transplant Coordinator (CCTC) and ACLS preferred.