Family Care Coordinator

Overview

New Mexico Donor Services (NMDS) is looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic team member to join us to save lives. Our mission is to save lives through organ donation, and we seek professionals who can communicate in difficult situations and build relationships with patients and their families, similar to counseling or patient relations. This position, Family Care Coordinator, will work with organ donor families, hospital personnel, physicians, and other NMDS team members to support the donation process for saving lives through organ and tissue donation.

The primary work environment is in the hospital setting in Albuquerque and throughout New Mexico hospitals. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written formats are required.

What is a Family Care Coordinator?

Family Care Coordinators (FCCs) support and educate the potential donor’s next-of-kin regarding donation options. FCCs determine family dynamics and assess the family’s understanding of the patient’s prognosis to aid in the donation process. They work alongside other clinical team members and hospital staff to be an advocate for donation and a resource to the donor’s family.

New Mexico Donor Services is the designated organ procurement organization (OPO) for the state of New Mexico, and is a member of the DCI Donor Services family. For over four decades, DCI Donor Services has been a leader in working to end the transplant waiting list. Our approach enables nationwide donation, transplantation, and distribution of organs and tissues while maintaining close ties to local communities.

DCI Donor Services operates three organ procurement/tissue recovery organizations:
New Mexico Donor Services, Sierra Donor Services, and Tennessee Donor Services. We also maximize the gift of life through the DCI Donor Services Tissue Bank and Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank. Our performance is measured by the way we serve donor families and recipients, and by mobilizing the power of people and technology to extend the reach of each donor’s gift and the importance of the gift of life.

We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and strive to create a welcoming and safe environment for all communities.

• Determines family dynamics and assesses the family’s understanding of the patient’s prognosis when appropriate to 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 the time outlined per policy and procedure.
• 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.
• Obtains authorization for donation per UAGA and verifies appropriate medical and legal documentation necessary.
• Visually assesses donors, interprets charts, documents information and communicates 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 to hospital staff regarding authorization, family care process and donation process.
• Responsibilities may be affected by increased donor activity. Performs other duties as assigned.

The Family Care Coordinator will work between 12 – 15 days per month and be on call for periods of up to 24 hours.

• A bachelor’s degree
• 2 – 4 years of healthcare experience with families, counseling, bereavement, and/or crisis…