Family Resource Coordinator I

 POSITION SUMMARY

The ideal Family Resource Coordinator (FRC) will have a bachelor's degree in science and at least one year of experience working in Clinical Social Work, Clinical Case Management, Social Services, therapy support or Mortuary Sciences (Funeral Homes, Coroners, Medical Examiners).

Family Resource Coordinators work with donor hospital personnel, physicians, and the DNWest team to facilitate the organ and tissue donation discussion and authorization process. This function requires strong and compassionate negotiation skills, and some experience working with grief and crisis management. This is work you can be proud of, standing beside hospital partners and donor families during life’s most complex moments, and helping transform loss into hope for patients waiting for a second chance.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Works with Donor Network West staff and hospital staff to ensure that the Authorizing Party is identified per Uniform Anatomical Gift Act guidelines.
• Determine family dynamics and assess the family’s understanding of the patient’s prognosis, when appropriate initiate the donation discussion.
• Initiates the donation discussion and authorization process for potential organ and tissue donor families prior to, during and after death declaration. Provides families with the detailed information required to give legal informed authorization for anatomical donation.
• Responds on site independently and/or in conjunction with assigned staff to all appropriate hospital referrals within designated time outlined per policy and procedure. Initiates frequent huddles with hospital and Donor Network West staff to ensure that the Authorizing Party/Notifying Party is presented the opportunity for donation or donor designation notification in the most appropriate time frame and manner.  Access donor registries to determine prior authorization for donation.
• Communicates with the attending physician and other members of the healthcare team to establish rapport and ensure a collaborative planned approach for the donation discussion and authorization process. Will communicate directly with donor families, hospital personnel, physicians and DNW staff.
• Obtains authorization for donation per UAGA and verifies appropriate medical and legal documentation necessary for organ recovery consistent with DNW policy and procedure.
• Completes the Uniform Donor Risk Assessment Interview (UDRAI) with appropriate historian per DNW policy and procedure and obtains follow-up information if required.
• Visually assesses donors, interpret charts, document information and communicate findings.
• Collaborates with hospital and medical staff to provide potential donor families with accurate and timely information regarding the patient’s current clinical course. Maintains communication with hospital staff and attending physician regarding the potential donor family’s understanding of the prognosis and acts as a family advocate to the health care team as necessary.
• Provides education and relevant materials to hospital staff on the authorization and family process as well as the benefits of organ and tissue donation and services provided by Donor Network West to grieving families.
• Provides excellent customer service to internal and external partners.
• Collaborates with hospital staff to provide bereavement support as applicable.
• Collaborates with hospital staff to obtain administrative authorization when appropriate.
• Provides education to hospital staff regarding authorization, family care process and donation process.
• Responsibilities may be affected by increased donor activity. Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Possess knowledge of medical and legal principles of authorization, donor evaluation, and management.
• Has ability to communicate and present information effectively and concisely within a team environment. Has ability to work productively both independently, and as a team participant with accountability to all other team members.
• Proactive team player who must uphold the core values of the organization which include passion, integrity, and team work.  
• Has strong conflict management skills as well as excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Multi-lingual skills are beneficial. The most common languages spoken are Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Vietnamese.
• Compassionate, conscientious, and ethical, and must possess strong interpersonal skills which will allow her/him to deal effectively with conflict resolution, donor families in crisis, individuals or groups and a variety of medical professionals.
• Able to work productively both independently, and as a team participant with accountability to all other team members for meeting agreed upon objectives. 
• Maintain strong organizational skills that will allow him/her to assess changing environments establish appropriate priorities, handle highly stressful situations in a calm, mature manner, using sufficient judgment and discretion at all times. 
• This individual must also provide accurate assessments of job performance and recommend changes in policies, procedures, strategies and action plans.
• Thrives in a fast-paced dynamic environment and adjusts to new priorities as required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• A degree in biologic sciences or social sciences or an equivalent degree/diploma/certification as a Counselor or allied health field or one year equivalent OPO experience.
• At least two years’ of experience in working with families, counseling, bereavement and/or crisis intervention preferred.

Schedule and Travel Requirements:

12-hour shifts
At least 6 shifts per 2-week pay period
Travel throughout our designated service area (mileage reimbursed)
Expected to be onsite at partner hospitals
Work every other weekend and some holidays
Training schedule will vary