PRIMARY PURPOSE
Responsible for coordinating pre/post-transplant patient care throughout all phases of the transplant process. This includes, but is not limited to, providing patient education, coordinating evaluation testing, completing record reviews, communication with dialysis centers, preparing for selection committee presentations, and post-transplant care that includes all aspects of follow up care with dialysis units, Parkland staff, UT Southwestern Medical School, and other providers to ensure optimal transplant outcomes.
MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS
Education
- Must be a graduate from an accredited school of nursing.
Experience
- Must have (2) years RN clinical experience required. Transplant preferred.
Equivalent Education and/or Experience
Certification/Registration/Licensure
- Clinician must have current, valid license from applicable state of the Texas Board; or, if an RN, a valid Compact RN license.
- Must have current healthcare provider BLS for Healthcare Providers certification from one of the following:
- American Heart Association
- American Red Cross
- Military Training Network
Skills or Special Abilities
- If an RN, provides care to assigned patient population in accordance with the current State of Texas Nurse Practice Act, established protocols, multidisciplinary plan of care, and clinical area specific standards.
- Must demonstrate knowledge and skill in the outpatient process pertinent to transplant patients.
- Strong patient education and multidisciplinary communication skills required.
- Must demonstrate knowledge and skill in meeting age related and handicapped patient's needs.
- Must demonstrate patient centered/patient valued behaviors.
Responsibilities
- Transitions patients through all of the phases of the pre/post-transplant process including pre-transplant (referral, evaluation, listing), peri-transplant (inpatient rounding, discharge planning, and education), and post-transplant follow-up.
- Directs liaison activities to appropriately integrate the patient into the health care continuum including procuring services, health promotion and counseling, disease prevention, health education and screening, and community resource linkage.
- Assists physicians with exam, provides consultation on patient progress, locates lab results, charts or other needed data and schedules follow-up appointments to ensure that patient visits are efficient and effective for both staff and patient.
- Triages telephone calls, refers patients to emergency room or schedules appointments. Evaluates and educates patients regarding the signs and symptoms of rejection, explains hospital policies and procedures to ensure that all telephone communications promote positive health practices and outcomes.
- Implements discharge plan for patient to ensure coordinated care and optimal outcomes. Reviews physician treatment plan and educates patient regarding medications, appointments and lab work. Coordinates home health care concerns by contacting physicians and obtaining orders or clarification and communicating back to the agency.
- Completes necessary UNOS and other forms, obtains data from out of state and other sources to ensure that complete and accurate records are maintained.
- Maintains a positive working relationship with management, vendors, employees, other hospitals and physicians, dialysis units and centers, lab and nursing staff to ensure optimal cooperation and communication with all patient service providers.
- Coordinates referrals to outside nephrologists. Discusses case with nurse, obtains necessary patient release form, explains process to patient. Follows up on any missed appointments to ensure patient compliance.
- Identifies and analyzes the design of jobs, work processes and flows for the Transplant OPC department and suggests or implements appropriate changes to improve effectiveness, productivity and efficiency that support the overall goals of Parkland.
- Active participation in transplant department Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) activities.
