Referral Specialist

Gift of Life Michigan; Michigan Center (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Gift of Life Michigan is seeking a Referral Specialist to conduct timely review of viable organ referrals and collaborate with hospital teams to assess clinical status and plan of care. The role emphasizes prompt communication with care providers and families to support organ donation decisions.

The position requires RN, RRT, or EMT-P with 18 months acute/critical care experience, plus strong English communication and organizational skills. On-site collaboration with medical staff is essential.

Qualifications

• Written and verbal fluency in English.
• Ability to exercise initiative, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Complete timely response to viable organ referrals, understanding that presence is vital to GOLM’s mission.
• Engage with hospital care teams to assess clinical status, plan of care, and family dynamics as relates to brain death evaluation or withdrawal of support.
• Educate hospital care and organ recovery teams on donation processes, including preparation, equipment, sterilization, and review of surgical recovery procedures.
• Assist in education of new clinical and Hospital Development employees in the office and in the field.
• Maintain proper documentation during the donation process and provide information to maintain records.
• Respond to donor referrals and approach families regarding donation promptly with on-site assignments.
• Serve as an ambassador with hospital care providers through education and support to obtain authorization for donation.
• Direct the comprehensive critical care management of the critically ill organ donor in the ICU as needed.
• Conduct a physical assessment and examination as needed.
• Search organ donor registries for documentation of the patient’s decision to donate.
• Assist the donation coordinator team core duties to move donation forward.

Skills

Fluency in English

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Education

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

Tools

Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams)

Job description

Summary

In alignment with Gift of Life Michigan’s core purpose and core values, the Referral Specialist completes timely review of viable organ referrals. This includes but is not limited to, receiving updates on patient condition and plan of care, reviewing hospital EMR for clinical status updates and communicating with appropriate personnel.

Summary

In alignment with Gift of Life Michigan’s core purpose and core values, the Referral Specialist completes timely review of viable organ referrals. This includes but is not limited to, receiving updates on patient condition and plan of care, reviewing hospital EMR for clinical status updates and communicating with appropriate personnel.

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:

• Complete timely response to viable organ referrals, understanding that presence is vital to GOLM’s mission.
• Engage with potential organ donor’s hospital care team to assess the clinical situation, plan of care, and evaluate family dynamics 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.
• Assist in education of new clinical and Hospital Development employees both in the office and in the field.
• Maintain proper documentation during the donation process and provide necessary information to maintain organizational records.
• Respond to potential donor referrals and approach families regarding donation in a timely manner with on-site assignments.
• Serve as an ambassador and partner with hospital care providers through education and support with a goal of obtaining authorization for organ, tissue, and eye donation.
• Complete authorization process/paperwork with legal decision maker and educate the family about specifics relevant to each authorization for the family to make an informed decision about donation; or, in the case of registered donors, acknowledge to family members and/or others the descendant’s documented decision to donate.
• Direct the comprehensive critical care medical management of the critically ill organ donor in the ICU as needed.
• Conduct a physical assessment and examination as needed.
• Search organ donor registry(ies) for documentation of the patient’s decision to donate.
• May be required to assist the donation coordinator team core duties to move donation forward.
• 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.

Preferred

• 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.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• 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.
• Assist in education of new clinical and hospital development employees both in the office and in the field.

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.