Family Support Specialist - Organ Donation

Overview:

Versiti is a fusion of donors, scientific curiosity, and precision medicine that recognize the gifts of blood and life are precious. We are home to the world-renowned Blood Research Institute, we enable life saving gifts from our donors, and provide the science behind the medicine through our diagnostic laboratories. Versiti brings together outstanding minds with unparalleled experience in transfusion medicine, transplantation, stem cells and cellular therapies, oncology and genomics, diagnostic lab services, and medical and scientific expertise. This combination of skill and knowledge results in improved patient outcomes, higher quality services and reduced cost of care for hospitals, blood centers, hospital systems, research and educational institutions, and other health care providers. At Versiti, we are passionate about improving the lives of patients and helping our healthcare partners thrive.

Position Summary:

Under the direction of department leadership, the Specialist Family Support is responsible for communicating/interacting in a respectful manner with families to obtain authorization for organ and tissue donation. Collaborates closely with the Organ Donation Specialists, donor hospital staff, and physicians to develop a plan for the family discussion of donation, legal authorization and/or support for donor designation and a bereavement plan.

Responsibilities:

Demonstrates Core Values: Do Right Always, Find a Better Way, Make Results Happen and Strengthen the Team

Coordinates huddles with the hospital staff to establish a collaborative plan to support the family

Establishes initial contact with the potential donor family

Meets with the potential donor family to offer donation, providing emotional support and compassion during and after the donation process

Supports family needs throughout the entire donor process from referral, family discussion, donor management, operating room, and family follow-up

Engages with full awareness and sensitivity to cultural and religious beliefs regarding the grief process

Accurately obtains and completes written consent from the legal next of kin for the purposes of organ and tissue donation

Supports and upholds donor designation status with all families, as applicable

Assists Hospital Development Liaisons with educating health care professionals and the public regarding organ donation; may develop, conduct, and participate in education programs for health care professionals and the public

Contributes to quality assurance activities

Supports and demonstrates a customer service commitment to internal and external customers through adherence to Versiti customer service standards and processes

Maintains competence through participation in job-related continuing education

Actively participates and contributes in Lean and continuous improvement

Understands and performs all applicable regulatory and compliance requirements set forth by AOPO (Association of Organ Procurement Organizations), UNOS and CMS

Demonstrates schedule flexibility as determined by business need

Work/job related travel and reliable transportation is required

Requires evening, weekend and vacation work hours

Proactively seeks continued professional development

Stays current with authorization best practices and bereavement-related issues through participation in continuing education

Participates in case debriefs, assigned work groups and special projects

Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification

Understands and performs in accordance with all applicable regulatory and compliance requirements

Complies with all standard operating policies and procedures

Qualifications:

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology or related field required

Experience

1-3 years Previous experience working with family dynamics within a medical or health care setting, hospice, bereavement or grief counseling required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Display compassion in written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills while engaging with grieving families required

Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks required

Flexibility to work independently and within a team required

Strong attention to detail required

Strong communication skills, including the ability to provide feedback to peers required

Strong conflict resolution skills, able to communicate and collaborate with others during challenging and stressful situations required

Effective problem solving and decision making skills in high stress environment required

Ability to listen actively and respond with empathy and sensitivity required

Maintains confidentiality required

Valid Wisconsin Driver’s License and access to a vehicle required

Tools and Technology

Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). required

General office equipment (computer, printer, fax, copy machine, scanner) required

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Permanent