Donation Coordinator- Southwest Michigan

Gift of Life Michigan; Michigan; On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Gift of Life Michigan seeks a Donation Coordinator to optimize organ utilization. You will work with hospital teams, document in EMR, and support the donor care pathway from ICU through organ recovery.

Responsibilities include leading critical care management, coordinating multi-organ recovery, ensuring OPTN policy compliance, and educating partners on donation processes. ACLS/BLS required; BSN preferred.

Qualifications

• Fluent written and spoken English.
• Demonstrate initiative, critical thinking, and problem solving.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills.
• Proficient with MS Office and EMR systems.
• Able to interact with diverse hospital teams and families.
• Maintain certifications and work in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and screen potential organ donors by reviewing records and data in the EMR.
• Lead critical care management of the donor in the ICU and coordinate treatments.
• Coordinate multi-organ recovery in the OR with all documentation.
• Engage hospital teams to plan brain death evaluation or withdrawal of support.
• Educate hospital staff on organ donation processes and procedures.
• Search donor registries for donor decisions and maintain compliance.

Skills

English fluency

Critical thinking

Verbal communication

Time management

Team collaboration

Adaptability

Confidentiality

Education

RN/ RRT/ Paramedic (EMT-P) with 18 months acute/critical care

ACLS and BLS certification (or within 6 months)

BSN or Biological Science (preferred)

CPTC certification (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

EMR systems

Job description

Summary

In alignment with Gift of Life Michigan’s core purpose and core values, the Donation Coordinator is responsible for management of all activities associated with optimization and utilization of organs for transplantation.

Duties & Responsibilities

The following job duties and responsibilities are stated in broad terms and not intended to be inclusive. Those in bold are essential duties of the position:

• Evaluate and screen potential organ donors by thoroughly reviewing and interpreting hospital records, analyzing laboratory values, diagnostics, and other testing, documenting required data in the organ donor Electronical Medical Record (EMR). Collaborate with Clinical Administrator On-call (CAOC) or designee to determine organ donor and organ suitability.
• Direct the comprehensive critical care medical management of the critically ill organ donor in the ICU.
  • Conduct a physical assessment and examination.
  • Order, interrupt, analyze, and prescribe therapeutic treatment for diagnostic testing abnormalities (chest x-ray, EKG, arterial blood gas, bronchoscopy).
  • Optimize pulmonary function through ventilator monitoring and management.
  • Diagnose and treat common conditions found in critically ill organ donors.
• Document organ donor care and compliance with quality standards and regulations.
• Coordinate all aspects of multi-organ recovery in the operating room, including detailed documentation of recovered organs, biopsies, packaging, labeling, transportation, and chart Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) in accordance with Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) polices.
• Engage with potential organ donor’s hospital care team to assess the clinical situation and plan of care as it relates to brain death evaluation or withdrawal of support.
• Educate hospital care and organ recovery teams on organ donation process, such as preparation, equipment, sterilization, staff utilization, critical-timing, and review overall procedure for surgical recovery of organs.
• Search organ donor registry(ies) for documentation of the patient’s decision to donate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience

Required

• Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) or Paramedic (EMT-P) with 18 months acute and/or critical care experience or a combination of relevant education and other formal healthcare training.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or obtained within six months of hire.

Preferred

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Bachelors of Biological Science.
• Certified Procurement Transplant Coordinator (CPTC) certification.
• Prior experience in a healthcare organization, transplant center, or organ/tissue procurement organization.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA)

• Written and verbal fluency in English.
• Ability to exercise initiative, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, including Outlook and Teams and other technology systems used in business operations.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple and competing priorities.
• Demonstrate attention to detail.
• Strong verbal communications skills.
• Ability to interact effectively with diverse populations, including hospital professionals, transplant centers/surgeons, medical examiners, and organ donor families.
• Ability to manage difficult, sometimes emotional, individuals and situations.
• Self-directed, exercising appropriate judgement.
• Proficient in electronic medical record systems.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to maintain all required certifications, regulatory competencies, and education (ACLS, BLS, advanced skills sets, annual regulatory competencies set by Gift of Life).

Organizational Culture Expectations

• Demonstrate the competencies of Professional, Determined and Compassionate.
• Maintain a motivated and positive attitude.
• Support an inclusive work environment.
• Ability to successfully collaborate and work as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Actively seek improvements.
• Always maintain a safe working environment and use of Universal Precautions.
• Maintain appropriate level of confidentiality in all areas dealing with sensitive, protected, and confidential information.