Organ Recovery Coordinator I Region 3

LOPA; Lafayette (LA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

LOPA is seeking an Organ Recovery Coordinator I to manage the organ donation process from referrals through donor care. The role requires close collaboration with hospital staff, transplant centers, and the donor family to maximize organ function and ensure compliant, compassionate care.

Ideal candidates have nursing or allied healthcare experience with a solid understanding of donor protocols, documentation, and post-recovery communication.

Qualifications

• RN with one year experience in critical care, emergency medicine, or surgical setting.
• Physician’s Assistant with one year experience in critical care or emergency care setting.
• LPN, Paramedic, or Respiratory Therapist with relevant critical care experience.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate organ donation process across referring hospitals and donor service area.
• Maintain communication between internal and external team members to support donor opportunities.
• Provide medical management of deceased organ donors per established protocols.
• Understand surgical recovery processes, organ anatomy, and abnormalities.
• Package and label organs and tissues for transplantation and research.

Skills

Coordination

Communication

Medical management

Surgical recovery knowledge

Documentation

Team collaboration

Discretion & sensitivity

Education

Registered Nurse

Physician’s Assistant

Licensed Practical Nurse

Licensed Paramedic

Licensed Respiratory Therapist

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

Job description

Exemption: Non-Exempt

Location: Either Lafayette or Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Position Summary

Responsible for the coordination of the organ donation process. This process includes:

• Evaluation of medical and social information of referrals received from hospitals throughout the donor service area.
• Maintains communication between internal and external team members to support the opportunity of donation for donors and donor families.
• Provides medical management of deceased organ donors with established protocols to maximize organ function.
• A competent understanding of the surgical recovery process including organ anatomy and abnormal findings.
• Performs packaging and labeling of organs and tissues recovered for transplantation and research.
• A working knowledge of all aspects of LOPA’s organ and tissue referral processes, recovery processes, and procedures, including LOPA’s aftercare and Family Support Services.
• Utilizes discretion and sensitivity with respect to the surrounding circumstances, values and beliefs of others in all interactions.

Description

Job Title: Organ Recovery Coordinator I

Department: Clinical Services

Reports to: Organ Recovery Manager

Exemption: Non-Exempt

Location: Either Lafayette or Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Position Summary

Responsible for the coordination of the organ donation process. This process includes:

• Evaluation of medical and social information of referrals received from hospitals throughout the donor service area.
• Maintains communication between internal and external team members to support the opportunity of donation for donors and donor families.
• Provides medical management of deceased organ donors with established protocols to maximize organ function.
• A competent understanding of the surgical recovery process including organ anatomy and abnormal findings.
• Performs packaging and labeling of organs and tissues recovered for transplantation and research.
• A working knowledge of all aspects of LOPA’s organ and tissue referral processes, recovery processes, and procedures, including LOPA’s aftercare and Family Support Services.
• Utilizes discretion and sensitivity with respect to the surrounding circumstances, values and beliefs of others in all interactions.

Essential Functions

Competent to perform duties within the referral process such as:

• Rounding on site or by phone with hospital staff on new or existing organ referrals to obtain medical history, admission course, family dynamics, and treatment plans to assist in the evaluation process.
• Communicates and collaborates with the managing physician or hospital provider to develop a plan for continued evaluation of organ referrals.

Duties

Communicates pertinent updates to the appropriate LOPA staff per LOPA protocol. Performs the duties within an organ donor case start as listed below:

• Initiates and maintains continual communication with appropriate LOPA staff, hospital staff, recovery doctor, and donor family throughout the donation process.
• Reviews and confirms accurate documentation of death note(s) in alignment with hospital policy.
• Reviews and confirms accurate documentation of the Uniform Donor Death Assessment Interview (UDRAI).
• Reviews hospital policies on declaration of death and organ donation.
• Obtains and arranges transportation for serological/Nucleic Acid (NAT) and Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) testing including notification of appropriate lab personnel.
• Provides competent medical management of deceased organ donors with the assistance of the Advanced Practice Coordinator, using established LOPA protocols to maximize organ function for the purposes of donation.
• Obtains the required laboratory testing, diagnostics, and medical/pharmacological therapies for the Brain Dead Donor (DBD).
• Consults and collaborates with managing physician or provider to obtain required laboratory testing, diagnostics, and medical/pharmacological therapies for Donation After Circulatory Death (DCD) donors.
• Completes physical assessment of the donor and a thorough medical record review.
• Accurately documents all pertinent donor information into LOPA’s clinical information system.
• Leads the transfer process of appropriate brain dead organ donors to LOPA’s Donor Care Center (DCC).

Performs the duties during the surgical procedure as listed below:

• Communicates pertinent information to the appropriate LOPA and transplant center personnel throughout the surgical recovery process.
• Provides the appropriate documentation, equipment, and other requested needs of incoming recovery teams.
• Reviews required donor information with recovery surgeon prior to organ recovery.
• Performs donor time out prior to organ recovery.
• Review and document anatomy of organs, vasculature, and abnormalities with recovery surgeon.
• Packages, labels, and verifies organs, vessels, blood, and tissue typing materials per established LOPA and UNOS protocols.

Performs the duties following the surgical procedure as listed below:

• Assists in post mortem care.
• Communicates with appropriate hospital and LOPA personnel to ensure the final disposition of the decedent is completed.
• Completes all documentation within the clinical database prior to leaving the recovery site including appropriate communication phone calls.
• Completes post recovery communication with donor family or authorizing person to communicate outcomes and any requested information.

Job Role Expectations

• Effective communication with internal and external colleagues.
• Adheres to all LOPA Policies and regulatory guidelines relevant to the organ recovery processes.
• Maintains current professional licensure & certifications, BLS, ACLS, PALS.
• Maintains all competencies required for the LOPA Donor Care Center.
• Maintains competency to perform test procedures and report results promptly, accurately, and proficiently.
• Follows the LOPA Lab’s procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analysis, reporting, and maintaining records of patient test results.
• Participates in at least one community service event per year.
• Participates in two donor hospital education events per year.
• Maintains all assigned donor hospital EMR access.
• Attends monthly meetings, assigned educational opportunities, and other assigned scheduled events

Organizational Expectations

• Uphold LOPA core values of selfless, authentic and passionate.
• Use constructive and positive communication.
• Be a team player.
• Hold yourself and others accountable.
• Keep a positive attitude.
• Be respectful of others.
• Timely completion of all required educational training, tasks, and SOP reviews by assigned due date.

Role Progression

• Progression to Organ Recovery Coordinator II includes successful completion of ORC I
• orientation, successful completion of Certified Procurement Transplant Coordinator (CPTC) examination, and competency in all requirements of the ORC I job role.
• Completion of LOPA’s Preceptor Program.

Work Environment

• Possible exposure to communicable diseases, bloodborne pathogens, airborne illnesses, hazardous materials, pharmacological agents with little likelihood of harm if established health precautions are followed.
• May, at times, have exposure to blood, packaged organs and tissues for transplant and/or research in a hospital setting or while in the office.
• Possible mental and visual fatigue associated with detailed work.
• Travel within the U.S., including flying.
• Travel to branch office locations.
• Work is done indoors in an office setting.
• Work in a fast-paced environment with a demanding time schedule.

Physical Demands

• Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.
• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Reaching with hands and arms.
• Adjusting or moving objects up to 10 pounds in all directions.
• Communicating with others verbally and electronically to exchange information.
• Stooping, bending, kneeling or crouching.
• Considerable time spent walking.
• Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
• Use of fine motor skills.
• Doing work that requires visual acuity.
• Need for ability to hear.
• Operating IV pumps, medical equipment.
• Operating motor vehicles.
• Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.
• Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.
• Medium work that includes moving or lifting objects up to 50 pounds.

Work Hours

• Full time, On-Call position.
• Scheduled up to 240 hours/month; schedule in 12-hour shifts, 24-hour shifts, or a combination of 12-hour and 24-hour shifts.
• Required to take call a minimum of 2 major and 2 minor LOPA designated holidays.
• Takes call 2 weekends per month.
• Maintains personal and professional balance, takes care of self.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Registered Nurse with one year experience working in critical care, emergency medicine, or surgical setting.
• Physician’s Assistant with one year experience in critical care or emergency care setting.
• Previous OPO organ recovery experience.
• Licensed Practical Nurse with two years critical care or emergency care experience.
• Licensed Paramedic with two years critical care experience.
• Licensed Respiratory Therapist with two years critical care experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
• Ability to deliver effective and professional verbal and written communication.
• Ability to establish and maintain relationships with internal and external colleagues.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding and to solve problems.
• Ability to be flexible in a dynamic work environment.
• Knowledge of medical terminology.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.