What are the responsibilities and job description for the Tissue Family Advocate I (Covington or Lafayette) position at LOPA?
Job Title: Tissue Family Advocate I (TFA I)
Department: CSC
Reports to: Communications Center Manager
Exemption: Non-Exempt
Date Revised: September 24, 2024
Position Summary
Help save and enhance lives by determining suitability of tissue donors, and discussing tissue donation opportunities with families.
Essential Functions
Primarily responsible for working empathetically and professionally with grieving families to communicate donation opportunities
- Completes the authorization process with the authorizing person and educates about the specifics relevant to the authorization in order for the family to make an informed decision.
- Works with the authorizing person or knowledgeable person in cases where the potential donor has indicated their decision to be a tissue donor by first person authorization.
- Provides resources such as traumatic loss support resources and funeral home information to the families.
- Assesses the donor history by conducting a Donor Risk Assessment Interview (DRAI) with the most knowledgeable person(s), over a recorded phone line.
- Provides post recovery calls to families, as needed.
- As backup for CSC I, will intake tissue and/or eye referrals from hospitals and assist in clinical and social screening of referrals by using processor criteria to determine potential suitability for tissue and eye donation, which may require critical thinking skills.
- Ensures accurate, detailed and timely electronic documentation of referral information, as necessary.
- Updates relevant internal and external stakeholders on the status of active referrals.
Job Role Expectations
- Provide back-up support for OCC, CSC I, education and administration, as needed.
- Maintains competency annually.
- Obtains and maintains EMR credentials as part of the referral screening process and assists in the review of the EMR, if available.
- Ensures timely and accurate QA of assigned referrals.
- Adheres to all current LOPA and AATB policies relevant to the donation process.
- Effectively communicates with internal and external stakeholders while maintaining diplomacy at all times.
- Handles death and grieving families in a caring and professional manner.
- Assists in monitoring calls coming into the CSC, voicemails and referral activity in real time.
- Able to multitask, perform in a high call volume environment and work in a dynamic team setting.
- Demonstrates problem solving skills, effective use of resources, collaboration with other health professionals and professional standards.
- Regularly attends and participates in department meetings, educational opportunities, and other relevant meetings or trainings.
- Demonstrates support for our mission through annual participation in a LOPA sponsored event.
Organizational Expectations
- Upholds LOPA core values of selfless, authentic and passionate.
- Use constructive and positive communication.
- Be a team player.
- Hold yourself and others accountable.
- Keep a positive attitude.
- Be respectful of others.
- Timely completion of all required educational training, tasks and SOP reviews by assigned due date.
Supervisory or Advanced Responsibilities
Participates in special projects as assigned by management or department educator.
Role Progression
This role may be eligible for advancement to a TFA II, TFA Specialist, CSC Team Lead or similar role should a position become available. Promotion to one of these roles will be determined by the department manager after an evaluation has been completed.
Work Environment
- Small chance of exposure to communicable diseases, hazardous materials, pharmacological agents with little likelihood of harm if established health precautions are followed.
- Possible mental and visual fatigue associated with detailed work in front of a computer for long periods of time.
- Requires travel as needed.
- Possible exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens and airborne illness. Employees may at times be in a hospital setting. While in an office setting, may have exposure to blood, packaged organs and tissues for transplant and/or research.
Physical Demands
90% of time spent sitting, with opportunities for standing work and breaks.
Work Hours
Full time. 12 hour shift schedule, including weekends and holidays. Typically required to work
3 - 4 shifts per week.
Education and Experience
- High school diploma or GED.
- Previous healthcare experience such as EMT, Paramedic, or LPN, preferred.
- Experience and/or training in a healthcare setting working with families suffering loss/grief preferred.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Knowledge of structures, systems and services of LOPA.
- Knowledge of medical terminology.
- Ability to type at least 35-40 wpm.
- Sound computer knowledge and application.
- Ability to deliver effective and professional verbal and written communication.
- Ability to apply common sense understanding and to solve problems.
Ability to perform and lead well under stressful situations.
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