Family Support Educator - Organ Donation

Versiti is a fusion of donors, scientific curiosity, and precision medicine that recognize the gifts of blood and life are precious. We are home to the world-renowned Blood Research Institute, we enable life saving gifts from our donors, and provide the science behind the medicine through our diagnostic laboratories. Versiti brings together outstanding minds with unparalleled experience in transfusion medicine, transplantation, stem cells and cellular therapies, oncology and genomics, diagnostic lab services, and medical and scientific expertise. This combination of skill and knowledge results in improved patient outcomes, higher quality services and reduced cost of care for hospitals, blood centers, hospital systems, research and educational institutions, and other health care providers. At Versiti, we are passionate about improving the lives of patients and helping our healthcare partners thrive.

Under the direction of department leadership, the Family Support Educator is responsible for the ongoing and new training and competency of the Family Support Specialist team. The Family Support Educator demonstrates sensitivity and compassion when offering donation to a potential donor family, providing support and compassion during and after the donation process. Fosters a collaborative/team working spirit and actively helps and supports others to achieve team goals. Develops training programs and materials for continuing family support education for the Family Support Specialists. Maintains and updates orientation training materials for new staff. Collaborates closely with the Organ Donation Specialists, donor hospital staff, and physicians to develop a plan for the family discussion of donation.

Benefits
Versiti provides a comprehensive benefits package based on your job classification. Full-time regular employes are eligible for Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans, Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holidays, Short- and Long-term disability, life insurance, 7% match dollar for dollar 401(k), voluntary programs, discount programs, others.

Demonstrates Core Values: Do Right Always, Find a Better Way, Make Results Happen and Strengthen the Team
• Coordinates huddles with the hospital staff to establish a collaborative plan to discuss donation with the family, Provides family support through advocating for the gift of donation, prior to and during end of life
• Meets with the potential donor family to advocate for donation, providing emotional support and compassion during and after the donation process; Supports and upholds donor designation status with all families, as applicable; advocates for donation, as well as recipients on the waitlist to potential donor families
• Accurately obtains and completes written authorization from the legal next of kin for the purposes of organ and tissue donation
• Engages with full awareness and sensitivity to cultural and religious beliefs regarding the grief process; Works to improve how Versiti OPO supports and interacts with donor families, specifically in diverse communities
• Communicates accurate and pertinent information about the donor to the Organ Donation Specialist and Administration on Call; Responsible for taking Administrator on Call (AOC)
• Assists Hospital Relations Specialists with educating health care professionals and the public regarding organ donation; may develop, conduct, and participate in education programs for health care professionals and the public; Supports and demonstrates a customer service commitment to internal and external customers through adherence to Versiti customer service standards and processes
• Maintains competence through attendance job-related continuing education; Proactively seeks continued professional development; Demonstrates schedule flexibility as determined by business need
• ; Understands and performs to all applicable regulatory and compliance requirements set forth by AOPO (Association of Organ Procurement Organizations) and UNOS; Actively participates and contributes in Lean and continuous improvement, consistently strives to enhance existing protocols and procedures, contributes to quality assurance activities
• Work/job related travel and reliable transportation is required, requires evening, weekend and holiday work hours
• ; Provides guidance and feedback to peers or junior team members regarding areas of expertise as it relates to the organ donation conversation; Participates in regular and ongoing in field shadowing and training of current staff, Serves as primary preceptor and mentor to new staff
• Independently completes difficult tasks/assignments maintaining compliance and donor safety
• Develops training materials and leads training of newly hired Family Services Specialists; appropriately documents training efforts
• Collaborates with other Educators in the OPO to develop organization wide training
• Identifies focus areas for FSS education and training; Develops training materials and conducts annual and ongoing competencies for Family Services Specialists; appropriately documents training efforts
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification
• Understands and performs in accordance with all applicable regulatory and compliance requirements
• Complies with all standard operating policies and procedures

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, or related field required

Experience

• 4-6 years Previous experience working with family dynamics within a medical or health care setting, hospice, bereavement, or grief counseling required
• 1-3 years Previous experience in training or leadership required
• 1-3 years OPO experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Display compassion in written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills while engaging with grieving families required
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks, strong attention to detail and independence; Maintains confidentiality required
• Flexibility to work independently and with a team. required
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to provide feedback to peers. required
• Strong conflict resolution skills, able to communicate and collaborate with others during challenging and stressful situations required
• Effective problem solving and decision-making skills in high stress environment required
• Ability to listen actively and respond with sensitivity, while guiding the donor family to donation required
• Valid Wisconsin Driver's License and access to a vehicle required

Tools and Technology

• Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). required
• General office equipment (computer, printer, fax, copy machine, scanner) required
• Familiarity with ICU equipment (IV pumps, Ventilator, GE monitor) required