Clinical Transplant Coordinator - Kidney Trans Operation | UPMC Hamot
Schedule:
Preferred Experience:
About the Role: The Clinical Transplant Coordinator I serves as a key member of the transplant team, supporting patients throughout their kidney transplant journey. This role assists potential transplant candidates as they progress through evaluation and listing, helps maintain transplant readiness while patients await transplantation, and provides ongoing coordination and support following transplant to promote optimal health outcomes.
The Clinical Transplant Coordinator I is accountable for the coordination and delivery of patient-centered nursing care using the nursing process. Working collaboratively with Clinical Transplant Coordinators, leadership, physicians, and the multidisciplinary transplant team, this role applies clinical expertise, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice to achieve high-quality patient care outcomes.
The ideal candidate is compassionate, organized, and committed to fostering strong relationships with patients and families while guiding them through complex medical processes. This position requires the ability to assess, interpret, and respond to patient needs across the lifespan, ensuring care is individualized, age-appropriate, and aligned with transplant program standards.
Responsibilities:
TRANSPLANT/VAD REFERRAL AND EVALUATION
Identifies appropriate transplant/VAD candidates upon referral and interacts with appropriate hospital staff.
Identifies requirements for candidate evaluation.
Coordinates the evaluation process for potential transplant/VAD candidates with the multidisciplinary team.
Functions as candidate advocate by applying knowledge of growth, development, educational and cultural background during candidate and family interaction.
Provides data to regulatory agencies.
Demonstrates knowledge of compliance with United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS policies and listing requirements.
POST-TRANSPLANT/VAD OUT-PATIENT PERIOD
Identifies and responds to recipient and family needs in post-transplant/VAD phase.
Reinforces educational and follow-up requirements.
Collects and reviews data pertinent to recipient's health and organ function.
Provides and maintains comprehensive documentation of recipient's progress.
Implements changes in drug therapy as ordered by physician.
Arranges for consultations, diagnostic procedures, and hospitalization when indicated.
Maintains communication with referring physician and other health care providers.
Assesses recipient's compliance with medications and medical regime; collaborates with transplant/VAD team to attain and maintain compliance.
POST-TRANSPLANT/VAD IN-PATIENT PERIOD
Monitors patient progress post-transplant.
Educates recipient and family regarding care and responsibilities after transplantation.
Collaborates with transplant/VAD team to establish and implement patient plan of care.
PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Obtains ABTC Certification.
Attends practice-related conferences.
Participates in educational and outreach activities.
Constructively receives feedback and direction.
Identifies and communicates learning needs to manager.
Takes action to improve knowledge, skills and performance based on feedback or on self-identified developmental needs.
Participates in self-review as requested by manager.
Responsible for adhering to On-Call schedule.
PERI-OPERATIVE PERIOD
Participates in transplant/VAD process according to UPMC protocol.
Reviews potential recipient's current medical status to determine eligibility for transplant.
Facilitates admission or transfer to UPMC.
Communicates with organ procurement agency/ORC and collects the appropriate data necessary for decision making re organ acceptance/rejection for transplant as applicable.
Exhibits ability to remove transplant recipient from the list per UNOS regulations as applicable.
PRE-TRANSPLANT/VAD PERIOD
Develops and institutes a teaching plan addressing transplant/VAD candidates learning needs.
Maintains communication with patient and referring physician.
Recognizes potential problems and/or significant changes during the waiting period and coordinates required care.
Acts as a resource person for internal and external health care providers.
Provides and maintains comprehensive documentation of candidate process.
Exhibits ability to maintain and update candidate listing status per UNOS regulations as applicable.
2 years recent clinical nursing experience.
Demonstrated competence in professional nursing practice.
Diploma or Associates Degree in Nursing.
BSN preferred.
Must obtain a Solid/Strong/Good or higher on annual performance review to be promoted to Clinical Transplant/VAD Coordinator II.
Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran