Organ Utilization Coordinator

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Organ Utilization Coordinator (OUC) is accountable for the allocation of organs recovered from donors and the seamless coordination of all related activities. This includes managing allocation processes for transplantation and research, scheduling surgical recovery teams and operating rooms, arranging transportation logistics for teams and organs, and collaborating with organ perfusion partners to maximize organ viability and drive successful utilization outcomes.

The OUC ensures transparent communication with transplant programs, internal teams, and external stakeholders, while executing all aspects of allocation and logistics with precision. Through operational excellence, accurate documentation, and proactive coordination, this position plays a critical role in increasing organ utilization and advancing LifeCenter Northwest’s mission to save and improve lives through transplantation.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Clinical Responsibilities

• Analyzes donor clinical information and provides data-driven recommendations guidance to Organ Donation Services (ODS) regarding organ allocation.
• Serves as an organ allocation subject expert, applying critical thinking to develop allocation strategies that prevent organ loss and maximize utilization.
• Communicates pertinent donor information transparently to transplant programs to ensure patient safety and drive acceptance decisions.
• Allocates abdominal organs in accordance with organizational policies and national regulations, and best practices, serving as source of donor information throughout the allocation and procurement process.
• Coordinates the allocation, recovery, and delivery of research organs and tissues; collaborate with ODS and recovery teams to promote research recovery opportunities.
• Arrange ground and air transportation for recovery teams and oversees proper chain of custody for organs, developing case-specific transportation strategies to minimize ischemia time.
• Dispatches Surgical Recovery staff for organ recovery and perfusion activities.
• Strategically identifies organ perfusion and preservation technologies, collaborates with internal and external partners to arrange organ perfusion and preservation support.
• Proactively identify and address barriers to organ utilization, escalating medically complex cases or high-risk scenarios as appropriate.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to mitigate risks to organ placement and ensure optimal clinical decision-making.
• Authorizes waivers and logistics with transplant centers as necessary to optimize organ utilization.
• Maintains in-depth knowledge of Organ Procurement & Transplant Network (OPTN) policy and provides guidance to the ODS team to ensure compliance
• Participate in case reviews and continuous process improvement initiatives to increase utilization rates.

Collaborative Responsibilities

• Collaborate with transplant programs, ODS, and recovery teams to facilitate successful transplant outcomes.
• Partner with Quality Assurance, Training, and Process Improvement teams to enhance allocation processes, efficiency, and overall OUC performance.
• Actively participate in departmental meetings and contribute to team-driven allocation improvement strategies.

Administrative & Quality Responsibilities

• Ensure timely and accurate completion of donor chart reviews, including closure of Potential Transplant Recipient (PTR) reports and other case-related documentation.
• Participate in the resolution of non-conformance investigations and contribute to the development of corrective and preventive actions.
• Assist other staff as needed in allocation activities and in identifying strategies to improve utilization outcomes.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Demonstrated knowledge of organ allocation processes, clinical evaluation, and regulatory requirements
• Ability to problem solve sometimes complex situations
• Ability to foster an organizational culture based on collaboration, support, and constructive communication.
• Analytical skills to assess situations, solve problems, and motivate others to continually improve the processes necessary to meet organizational deliverables.
• Ability to identify problems and collaborate with others to solve the problems in a timely and professional fashion.
• Ability to learn new tools, applications, and technologies quickly, easily, and independently.
• This individual must demonstrate operating knowledge of computers and smart phones with demonstrable, intermediate level skills (at a minimum) with email, Word, Excel, and other comparable software programs.
• Must be compassionate, conscientious, ethical, and possess effective interpersonal skills that allow them to have effective communication with health care professionals and donor families.
• Must have the ability to keep accurate records, perform calculations, and follow written Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s), Work Instructions (WIs), and guidelines. 
• Requires the ability to work under stress with numerous interruptions, distractions, and changing priorities.
• Must have a clear understanding and practice of universal precautions.

BEHAVIORAL REQUIREMENTS

The employee in this position must uphold the core values of LifeCenter; these include:

• Integrity: We are trustworthy, reliable, respectful, and accountable.
• Collaboration: We work in partnership with others, seeking to understand and be understood, and finding common ground and shared goals to build upon together.
• Courage: We take personal responsibility and face challenges head-on.
• Service: Through professionalism and dedication, we honor our commitment to serve others and our obligation to be good stewards of the gift of life.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in healthcare-related sciences; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may substitute.
• Two or more years of experience in a clinical healthcare environment, transplant operations, donation/referral coordination, or related clinical workflow.
• Skills typically gained through working in nursing, clinical operations, transplant coordination, or advanced healthcare practitioner roles strongly preferred.
• Ability to interpret medical terminology and donor clinical information, including EMR-based chart review.
• Prior experience in an OPO, transplant program, critical care, or emergency care preferred.
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination, or applicable medical or religious exemption, will be required as a condition of employment upon offer.
• Although this position is remote, you must reside in or relocate to an area within LifeCenter's donation service area (DSA) which includes Washington State, Alaska, Northern Idaho, and Montana by date of hire. 

LifeCenter Northwest offers medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment insurance, long-term disability insurance, and travel accident insurance. Employees have the option of enrolling in the following supplemental or voluntary plans: life insurance, short-term disability, accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness coverage and pet insurance. Employees enrolled in our 403(b) program will receive an employer match of up to 7% after one year, employees are auto enrolled at 3% and may change their enrollment at any time. LifeCenter encourages all employees to find balance and well-being and provides all employees access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and provides a quarterly Wellness Reimbursement. Employees enjoy paid holidays throughout the calendar year and earn 119 hours of PTO annually (to start) as well as Health Time Off hours that is earned 1 hour per 30 worked, paid living donor leave, two weeks paid jury duty leave after 6 months of service, and three weeks of paid parental leave after one year of service is complete. A comprehensive review of benefits can be found at https://lcnw.org/about/employment-opportunities/.

PAY RANGE

• OUC I: $36.50 - $52.94 Hourly
• OUC II: $40.35 - $58.52 Hourly
• OUC III: $45.46 - $68.19 Hourly   

The pay range for this role is provided above. Where a candidate’s compensation falls within this range is based on several bona fide factors such as experience, tenure, and other specialized knowledge. LifeCenter Northwest is committed to providing its employees equitable and competitive compensation.

This position is eligible for additional compensation to the base pay rate, in the form of Overtime, Extra Call Pay, Extra Call Worked, Overnight Differential, and Holiday Stipend Pay.

LifeCenter Northwest is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.