Donation Communication Specialist I

General Statement (Summary of duties and responsibilities):

Donation Communication Specialist I (DCS I

The Donation Communication Specialist I (DCS I) serves as the initial point of contact for all incoming vented and non-vented referrals from our Donor Service Area into MORA. This role is responsible for gathering the appropriate level of medical information to support donor eligibility evaluations for organ, eye, and tissue donation. The DCS I ensure timely and accurate distribution of clinical data to designated personnel for follow-up.

Upon successful completion of training and demonstrated proficiency in the DCS I role, the position will transition to Donation Communication Specialist II (DCS II), reflecting expanded responsibilities and a deeper level of engagement in the donation process.

 Donation Communication Specialist II (DCS II)

The Donation Communication Specialist II (DCS II) continues to manage incoming vented and non-vented referrals from our Donor Service Area into MORA, collecting essential medical information to support donor eligibility evaluations for organ, eye, and tissue donation. In addition to these responsibilities, The DCS II plays a pivotal role in donor family outreach.

This includes initiating phone approaches to families of potential tissue and/or eye donors who have been deemed medically suitable for donation. The DCS II investigates donor designation status and, when appropriate, sensitively introduces the option of donation to the legal next of kin (LNOK). These conversations require thoughtful discretion, empathy, and respect for the family’s circumstances, values, and beliefs.

The DCS II is responsible for obtaining recorded disclosure for registered donors or recorded authorization when donation is agreed upon. They ensure families receive comprehensive information to make fully informed decisions. This role also includes providing ongoing support and follow-up to donor families as needed, reinforcing MORA’s commitment to compassionate care and ethical practice.

Organizational Responsibility:

 As an employee of MORA, it is essential to value our commitment to our mission and vision. All employees must maintain effective communication, exhibit teamwork, respect diversity, follow policies and procedures, demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness while meeting productivity standards, observe safety and security procedures, be consistently punctual and dependable, and continually demonstrate our core values.

 Education and Work Experience Qualifications:

1. Current Nursing degree, EMT/Paramedic, Respiratory Therapist, social work, or completion of an accredited clinical healthcare program resulting in certification, registry, licensure, or equivalent work experience. Additional relevant experience may substitute the degrees or credentials above.
2. Prior referral screening experience preferred.
3. Must have strong typing skills, be detail-oriented, and be able to provide accuracy in documentation.
4. Proficiency with MS Office and the use of a telephone system is vital.
5. Must have the ability to work with all levels of personnel in several healthcare settings and work within the guidelines of various institutions.
6. Must simultaneously perform multiple complex processes and prioritize tasks to optimize workflow to ensure compliance with established policies and timelines.
7. Excellent communication skills are required. Must have the ability to communicate effectively with all levels of personnel and to represent the organization publicly.
8. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team is required. 

Essential Job Functions:

1. Responds to all incoming calls/emails to triage referrals for organ/tissue donor evaluation.
2. Evaluate initial potential tissue donors per MORA, AATB, and tissue processor criteria to provide safe tissue for transplantation.
3. As appropriate, communicate and provide critical medical screening information to other MORA departments, processors, and agencies.
4. Investigates every referral given to MORA for the possibility of it having a donor designation in the National and Mississippi Donor Registry.
5. Reviews tissue/eye referrals for adequate triage and, if insufficient, further screens the referral with the hospital, MORA Tissue, and MLEB AOC to determine donor eligibility.
6. Collaborates with physicians, nurses, hospital chaplains, social workers, and funeral homes to ensure best practice and outcomes for the donor family.
7. Communicates to the tissue recovery staff pertinent medical or social donor information.

Performs data entry corrections as required per established timelines.

1. Attends ongoing education on tissue recovery and best practices for donor triage.
2. Meets agreed-upon goals and objectives effectively and promptly.
3. Performs other duties as assigned. 

Physical Environment/Working Conditions:

 Work Hours: 12-hour shifts. Hours outside of the traditional shifts may be permitted to assist with schedule coverage.

This is not a remote position.

Category III

The incumbent in this position has virtually no potential for occupational exposure.

Equipment/Machinery Used:

Computer, scanner, telephone, mobile phone, paper shredder, fax machine.