Transplant Coordinator (Registered Nurse), Surgery, 40 Hours (Days)

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Transplant Coordinator (RN) assists with screening and managing waitlist of patients for kidney transplantation, provides patient education and support, acts as liaison between the New England Organ Bank (NEOB) and all referring hospitals, and practices within regulations set forth by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). 

The Transplant Program at Boston Medical Center provides care to patients requiring a kidney transplant, living kidney donors, and patients requiring dialysis access. This Transplant Coordinator (RN) will support the post kidney transplant patients and be a member of the Transplant Multidisciplinary team. Working mostly in the ambulatory outpatient clinic with some inpatient rounding/teaching, this nurse coordinator will work closely with nephrologists, surgeons, social workers, practice assistants, and other nurse coordinators who work with the pre-transplant and living donor populations. The responsibilities include management of patients throughout all phases of transplantation: evaluation, listed for transplant and post-transplant. While all coordinators will have knowledge of each phase, the primary responsibility for this position is to manage patients who are in the post-transplant phase of the transplant process. Will cross cover for other coordinators as needed.  Previous experience working in an outpatient setting with a large patient population is required; experience with transplant patients or dialysis patients is preferred. This is a fast-paced, highly regulated environment requiring ability to work independently within the nursing scope of practice, attention to detail and efficient work habits. The position requires:

• Collaboration with the on-call physician and other coordinators supporting all patients on the Waitlist for Organ offers

• Ensuring that the responsibilities associated with the role transplant coordinator are carried out in a manner that meets all regulatory requirements for a transplant program

• Coordinating information from referring physician, testing and clinic visits required for potential transplant recipient and living donor as defined in clinical pathways

• Providing educational information to recipients, donors, primary caregivers regarding all aspects of transplantation/donation including pre-transplant, operative procedure, post-operative management and monitoring, long term follow-up and research protocols

• Participating in the medical and surgical outpatient clinics with the collaborating physicians and surgeons; reviewing outpatient lab values and testing results; working with physician/surgeon as needed to adjust care plan.

• Coordinating and facilitating discharge planning with in-patient team to maintain continuity of care.

• Providing accurate, appropriate and timely documentation to meet state and federal regulatory requirements and ensures that the responsibilities associated with the role transplant coordinator are carried out in a manner that meets all regulatory requirements for a transplant program.

Position: Transplant Coordinator (Registered Nurse)

Department: Surgery

Schedule: 40 Hours (Days)

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

• Provides direction and counseling to Transplant Program patients and their families throughout the transplant process as observed by the Transplant Program Nurse Director, Chief, and Medical Director.

• Meets with potential transplant recipients and family to discuss the various transplant options and to explain the procedures involved in the transplant process.

• Encourages patients to participate in the decision-making process, provides support to patients and families to reduce anxieties and increase understanding

• Provides patients teaching prior to discharge and ongoing teaching for the patient and family in the outpatient clinic.

• Acts as patient advocate in the transplant process by communicating patient’s concerns and feelings to members of the Transplant Program Multi-Disciplinary Team.

• Develops, institutes and maintains a plan of care suited to the patient/family needs in cooperation with the Transplant Team.

• Follows protocols to list patients for transplantation and accompanies post-operative progress.

• Coordinates pre-transplant evaluation tests for candidates from Boston Medical Center and referring hospitals.

• Acts as a liaison between primary care physicians, dialysis nurses, and the Transplant Team to update patient’s medical history/results while awaiting transplantation.

• Arranges t