Description

Job Summary

The Hospital Donation Specialist (HDS) I promotes Life Connection of Ohio’s (LCO) mission, together we save and enhance lives through organ, eye, and tissue donation, by serving as an ambassador between LCO and assigned donor hospital(s). The HDS is responsible for facilitating the donation process through interaction with hospital personnel and LCO staff. In addition, the HDS is responsible for cultivating relationships with high level hospital administrators, physicians, nurses, and other key hospital personnel to promote and advance a positive donation culture within the hospitals to maximize donation opportunities. The HDS will work collaboratively with hospital staff to build comprehensive donation systems that clearly identify policies, procedures, and resources. 

Key Responsibilities - Essential Duty or Function

1. Maintains the highest standards of professional conduct and interpersonal relationship development; promoting a positive and collaborative work environment.
2. Acts as an Ambassador between LCO and assigned donor hospitals, serving as an expert resource on donation to hospital personnel. Maintains a positive, consistent, highly visible presence throughout the hospital by participating in daily rounds, participation in relevant committees, chairing the Donation Council, and serving in other areas, as needed.
3. Educates hospital staff on organ donation processes to optimize outcomes and increase the number of organs available for transplant. Ensures that all aspects of the organ donation process are understood and outcomes exceed regulatory requirements.
4. Plans and implements individualized educational programs designed as in-services, workshops or seminars for groups or cross-sections of healthcare professionals. Recognizes the donation challenges and opportunities for each institution and incorporates solutions, based on the strategic plan, into planning of educational programs. Regular facilitation of basic educational in-services.
5. Provides direct support to hospitals and clinical staff during referrals and cases. Contacts and educates all levels of hospital personnel and physician staff involved in the referral of potential organ donors through informal and formal visits and in-services.
6. Collaborates with hospital staff regarding diagnostic tests, brain death testing, donor management and testing, and through the organ recovery process in the OR.
7. Assists hospitals in process improvement through continuous development and refinement of policies and procedures that maximize organ and tissue donation – where applicable, and in conjunction with industry standards and federal/state laws.
8. Participates in hospital performance improvement (PI) committees to improve donation outcomes, assist in the development of hospital donation policies, and promote a culture of donation within the hospital.
9. Conducts an After Action Review after each donor case to gather information for continuous improvement on the donor process. Ensures appropriate follow up is completed, as needed.
10. Analyzes hospital accounts utilizing death record reviews, referral data, and potential donor statistics. From this analysis, develops customized plans for assigned hospitals including short- and long-term objectives and action plans to ensure compliance with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) standards.
11. Enforces CMS and Association of Organ Procurement Organizations standards in the hospital. Reports any failures to meet donor hospital standards to leadership and Hospital Executive personnel.
12. Collaborates closely with hospitals to provide feedback, identify improvements, presents data analysis, and creates performance improvement goals and action plans to improve performance and outcome measures.
13. Follows up on referral variances from assigned hospitals and conducts refresher education for facility staff, as needed, to prevent recurrence of variances.
14. Analyzes appropriateness and timeliness of referrals for organ donation and identifies any missed referrals.
15. Rounds as directed on all organ, tissue and eye referrals, huddles with staff, communicates in patient’s electronic health record (if applicable) and Transplant Connect.
16. Responds to potential/actual donor situations within the hospital, as directed.
17. Proficiency in EMR Navigation: Candidates should be proficient in efficiently navigating through the EMR system's interface. This includes the ability to swiftly access and transfer patient records, medical histories, and critical patient information such as diagnosis, treatment plans, lab results, diagnostic reports, and medication history into the OPO EMR.
18. User Support: In addition to their own interaction with the EMR system, candidates should be capable of assisting and guiding other clinical staff members in effectively using the system. This may involve providing training or troubleshooting assistance when necessary.
19. HIPAA Compliance: Stress the importance of strict adherence to HIPAA regulations and patient data privacy principles. Candidates should be well-versed in safeguarding patient information within the EMR system. LCO is HIPAA exempt on those patients who have been referred and do not have access to all charts in hospital EMR.
20. Other functions as assigned or required to meet department or organizational needs.

Qualifications

Education Requirements

RN or bachelor’s degree is preferred. Other professional certifications and previous work experience will be considered. 

Experience Requirements

Five years’ experience in the healthcare field preferred. Previous experience as a Family Services Coordinator or Organ Recovery Coordinator preferred.

Skills and Abilities

Strong communication (verbal and written) and organizational skills.

Basic computer and data entry skills, including Microsoft applications (e.g., Word, Excel & PowerPoint) required.

Strong interpersonal skills required to develop close working relationships with hospital and health-care related personnel involved in organ donation and transplantation.

Sensitivity and ability to ensure absolute confidentiality required.

Licenses or Certificates

N/A

Supervision

Reports directly to the Manager of Hospital Services.

Supervision Exercised

None

Working Environment

Work environment varies from office to home office environment to clinical practice areas.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

Physical Demands 

Stand O (Occasionally) 

Walk O (Occasionally) 

Sit F (Frequently) 

Handling / typing F (Frequently) 

Reach Outward N (Not Applicable) 

Reach Above Shoulder N (Not Applicable) 

Climb N (Not Applicable) 

Crawl N (Not Applicable) 

Squat or Kneel N (Not Applicable) 

Bend N (Not Applicable) 

Lift/Carry 

10 lbs or less O (Occasionally) 

11-20 lbs O (Occasionally) 

21-50 lbs O (Occasionally) 

51-100 lbs N (Not Applicable)

Over 100 lbs N (Not Applicable) 

 Push/Pull 

12 lbs or less N (Not Applicable) 

13-25 lbs N (Not Applicable) 

26-40 lbs N (Not Applicable) 

41-100 lbs N (Not Applicable) 

N (Not Applicable) Activity is not applicable to this occupation. 

O (Occasionally) Occupation requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0 - 2.5+ hrs/day) 

F (Frequently) Occupation requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5 - 5.5+ hrs/day) 

C (Constantly) Occupation requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5+ hrs/day) 

ADA

This job description is a general description of essential job functions. It is not intended as an employment contract, nor is it intended to describe all duties someone in this position may perform. All employees of Life Connection of Ohio are expected to perform tasks as assigned by Life Connection of Ohio supervisory personnel, regardless of job title or routine job duties.