Pre Transplant Specialist

At Houston Methodist, the Pre-Transplant Specialist position is responsible for coordinating and managing activities related to the transplant evaluation phase, listing with UNOS, and waitlist management of potential organ transplant recipients. This position will also reflect a level of clinical expertise in the area of transplantation and serves as a resource, role model, and clinical consultant by assisting program leadership with the orientation process and precepting of new staff members. The Pre-Transplant Specialist position demonstrates appropriate communication skills and interpersonal relationships. This position demonstrates clinical knowledge and skills to carry out delegated tasks for age-specific populations described in the unit(s) scope of service.

FLSA STATUS
Non-exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)
• Associate’s degree preferred

EXPERIENCE

• Two years clinical experience with one year transplant clinical experience

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Preferred

• LVN - Licensed Vocational Nurse - State Licensure

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Completion of Preceptor class within six months of hire/transfer
• Ability to operate and troubleshoot equipment (fax, PC, printers, telephones, etc.)
• Highly proficient computer application skills
• Demonstrates ability to learn and perform with other post-transplant assistant roles
• Supportive of change initiatives. Adapts to unexpected changes. Acts as change agent

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Employs appropriate communication techniques by phone to make appointment reminder calls and follow-up calls for missed appointments per protocol to patients. Proactively identifies language and cultural barriers by scheduling translators and serves as a liaison with international services as needed. Documents all patient interactions in electronic medical record (EMR).
• Conducts patient and family education regarding selection criteria, transplantation, and expectations pre-transplant and compliance requirements. Assists patients by completing Patient Assistance Program applications. Provides additional support for patient and family as appropriate.
• Provides contributions towards improvement of department scores for turnover/retention/employee satisfaction on unit-based scorecard, i.e., peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Collaborates with the interprofessional team to drive the pre-transplant process. Obtains results of pre-transplant evaluation as per protocol and enters results into transplant database and EMR. Prepares information for the weekly patient selection committee meeting.
• Lists patients on national United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) registry and provides documentation to patients regarding waitlist status. Updates pertinent organ data (such as LAS, MELD, Heart criteria, and Kidney status) in UNET monthly for all active patients on waiting list or as per UNOS policy for inactive patients. Coordinates routine follow-up required of waitlist patients. Obtains test results for review by physician. Provides correspondence to referring physician while patient on UNOS waiting list.
• Assists physicians in clinic on a rotating schedule for coordination of pre-transplant patient care. Performs prescription refill management per protocol; including assisting with medication prior authorization as applicable. Process applicable correspondence for mail out. Able to troubleshoot service barriers independently and seek appropriate resources for resolution.
• Role models behaviors and skills, through peer-to-peer accountability, towards improving department score for patient satisfaction on unit-based scorecard.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Recognizes problems, investigates the cause, takes remedial action or escalates and notifies management for follow-up. Maintains a continuous feedback loop by sending referring/outside physicians and applicable person(s) copies of records and information pertinent to care management including but not limited to transplant discharge and clinic visit updates with each encounter. Obtains outside medical records and scans appropriately into departmental EMR.
• Proactively follows up to ensure appointment/testing has occurred-retrieve results for review. Updates and maintains patient disposition in EMR throughout the pre-transplant process for accurate capture of patient progression including but not limited to protocol and sick visits, transfer, and death record as indicated per protocol.
• Adheres to regulatory, system, division and department policies, procedures, guidelines and standards. Follows up on action items as necessary to ensure completion of assignments. Contributes towards improving quality and safety scores on the department scorecard, through peer-to-peer accountability, reporting near misses, and collaborating with the interprofessional team.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime. Utilizes resources and time efficiently and helps other team members.
• Proactively obtains prior authorization for diagnostic testing from insurance carriers. Collaborate with nurse coordinator for effective and efficient scheduling evaluation testing.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serves as a resource to others in the resolution of complex problems and issues and orients new staff to the department processes. Identifies and assumes responsibility of own learning needs, consults with healthcare team experts and seeks continuing education opportunities to meet those needs. Completes and updates the individual development plan (IDP) on an ongoing basis. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management.
• Proactively offers innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement projects and shared governance activities. Participates in department donor awareness events, educational opportunities, and community activities. Stays informed with department activities and development by attending minimum of 75% of staff meetings.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• WORK ATTIRE
  • Uniform: No
  • Scrubs: Yes
  • Business professional: Yes
  • Other (department approved): No
  
  ON-CALL*
  *Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.
  • On Call* No
  
  TRAVEL**
  **Travel specifications may vary by department**
  • May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
  • May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Work Shift:

1 - Day (United States of America)

Job Category:

Non-clinical Houston Methodist Hospital is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 hospital in Texas and one of America’s “Best Hospitals.” As a full-service, acute-care hospital located in the Texas Medical Center and the flagship hospital of Houston Methodist, it has evolved into one of the nation’s largest nonprofit teaching hospitals and a leader in innovative medical research with a comprehensive residency program. Two of Houston Methodist’s primary academic affiliates are among the nation’s leading health care organizations: Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Houston Methodist also has affiliations with Texas A&M University and the University of Houston. Houston Methodist Hospital offers unparalleled care for thousands of patients from around the world.

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.