Organ Transplant Coordinator

The Organ Transplant Coordinator is an RN responsible for coordinating care for transplant patients, living donors, and their families. This role is a key member of the multidisciplinary transplant team, facilitating patient and family movement through the transplantation or living donation process by providing individualised education, support, and coordination of services across the continuum of care.

The Organ Transplant Coordinator manages patient care from referral through post-op management, discharge planning, and long-term follow-up. They act as a liaison between transplant physicians, referring physicians, transplant recipients and their families, living donors and their families, and outside agencies. The incumbent must make independent decisions regarding various aspects of care and treatment within established protocols.

Responsibilities:

• Facilitate care of end-stage organ failure patients referred to the transplant program
• Coordinate patient entry and introduction to the transplant program
• Participate in patient care planning and selection conferences
• List patients for transplant in a timely manner
• Register living donors for directed and non-directed donation
• Maintain the UNOS waiting list according to program policies and procedures
• Facilitate patient care as a case manager for transplant patients and living donors
• Function as part of the multidisciplinary transplant team
• Provide age-specific care and intervention
• Assess, plan, and advocate for patients and families
• Provide accurate and timely documentation of care
• Demonstrate ability to independently make complex care decisions
• Use critical thinking skills and involve patients, families, and the multidisciplinary team
• Provide coordination of patient care and facilitate organ acquisition and transplantation

Program Development:

• Assist in data collection and analysis
• Participate in quality monitoring and process improvement activities
• Remain knowledgeable of regulations related to transplantation and living organ donation
• Assess and intervene in critical areas of education need
• Participate in community and professional education

Professional Development:

• Participate in ongoing transplant and organ donation education
• Serve as a pathfinder and clinical expert
• Model professional behaviour and act as a resource, consultant, and mentor
• Utilise current research to create and improve evidence-based nursing practice

Requirements:

• RN license to practice in the state where care is provided
• Basic Life Support Certification (BLS)
• Unit-specific certification as required
• Two years of acute care RN experience
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Effective interpersonal problem-solving, prioritisation, and independent judgement skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN)
• Clinical Certification of Transplant Coordinators (CCTC)
• Three years of acute care or charge nurse experience
• Two years of organ transplant coordination experience