Hospital Based Organ Procurement Coordinator

The position of  Hospital Based Organ Procurement Coordinator for the Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) is one of significant responsibility.  They are responsible for donor evaluation and management at Charleston Area Medical Center.  They also functions as the designated requestor for their assigned hospital and is responsible for talking with families about the opportunity to donate and obtaining and/or documenting authorization.  They are responsible for coordination of operating room staff involved in the recoveries.  They are responsible for the perfusion and preservation of post-mortem organs. 

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY

The Hospital Based Organ Procurement Coordinator reports to CORE’s Director, Clinical Operations.  When involved in donor activity, however, the Hospital Based Organ Procurement Coordinator works under the direction of the CORE administrator on call.  The Hospital Based Organ Procurement Coordinator is responsible for donor evaluation and management of potential and actual donors at their assigned hospital and hospitals within CORE’s service area, and in some cases, hospitals throughout the United States and Canada. They will be responsible for the importation and exportation of post-mortem organs.  They will be responsible for knowing and working within CORE and national policies regarding organ and tissue recovery and distribution.  They will be responsible functioning as a designated requestor and for communicating donor case outcomes to donor families, donor hospitals, physicians, and other healthcare professionals as deemed necessary.  They will occasionally will assist the CORE Professional Services Liaison team in delivering educational programs for healthcare professionals and attending key physician meetings as requested.  They may be assigned other job-related functions by the Director, Clinical Operations and/or members of CORE’s Leadership Team.  

The position of Hospital Based Organ Procurement Coordinator requires that someone be a registered nurse, physician’s assistant or paramedic with a four-year degree in one of the health sciences, or prior experience with an Organ Procurement Organization.  Critical care experience is desirable. Candidates with 4+ years’ experience in other critical care related fields may be considered.  A four-year degree in one of the health sciences is preferred, or a Master of Science in Biomedical Science Human Donation Science.  Critical care experience is preferred.  They must have strong communication, interpersonal skills, sound judgment and a commitment to supporting families in the donation process. They must be able to work evenings and into the early hours of the mornings on a regular basis.  Additional availability may be needed 24 hours a day, seven days a week while on the call schedule.  They must possess the ability to lift and carry equipment weighing sixty 60 pounds or more.  They must demonstrate a commitment to the donation process, strong professional work ethic and advanced leadership skills.  

DEGREE OF JOB DIFFICULTY

The degree of job difficulty for the Hospital Based Organ Procurement Coordinator falls into the significant range.  Inadvertent errors or mistakes could result in the death of a transplant recipient.  Misinformation to families, healthcare professionals or the public in general could have an adverse effect on the donation process.  Personal development is essential to keep abreast of the current trends in organ/tissue donation and transplantation.  Misinformation could cause internal and external problems with regard to CORE and national transplant policies.