What are the responsibilities and job description for the ORGAN PRESERVATION COORDINATOR I position at LOPA?
Description
Job Title: Organ Preservation Coordinator I
Department: Surgical Services
Reports to: Surgical Services Manager
Exemption: Full Time, Non-Exempt
Date Revised: 9/8/2025
Position Summary
Education and Experience
Job Title: Organ Preservation Coordinator I
Department: Surgical Services
Reports to: Surgical Services Manager
Exemption: Full Time, Non-Exempt
Date Revised: 9/8/2025
Position Summary
- Responsible for the coordination of the organ donation process during the recovery of organs for transplantation and research.
- Assists under the supervision of the Recovery Coordinator, or Advance Practice Coordinator in providing donor management of deceased organ donors with established protocols to maximize organ function.
- Participates with hospital development and professional/public education programs using a team approach. Develops and maintains a positive professional liaison between LOPA and the medical/civic community. Utilizes discretion and sensitivity with respect to the circumstances, views and beliefs of others in all interactions, including donor families.
- Reviews and is familiar with Donor ID from UNET prior to beginning of recovery.
- Reviews authorization form, DRAI, BD notes or DCD policy, serology results, organs to be recovered, Potential Transplant Recipient identifier, and ABO prior to organ recovery. Reviews with recovering surgeons, as well, prior to recovery as needed.
- Participates in reporting of pertinent donor and family information to appropriate staff.
- Assists in the coordination of the donor in the operating room.
- Is familiar with and adheres to coroner’s restrictions and/or requests.
- Communicate effectively with anesthesia and hospital staff in the OR setting.
- Communicates effectively in OR with LOPA staff, and Transplant staff to ensure all appropriate requests are communicated in a timely manner, which include but are not limited to specific times, and photos.
- Provides education to OR staff regarding the appropriate donation pathway.
- Differentiation between Brain Death and DCD donation.
- Prepares aortic and portal vein cannulation and administers cold preservation solution with direction from the recovery surgeon and updates placement appropriately.
- Reviews anatomy of organ with recovery surgeon when needed.
- Opens supplies in preparation for recovery. Demonstrates sterile and aseptic technique.
- Labels, packages, and verifies all organs, vessels, and tissue typing specimens according to protocol.
- Transports and sets up all supplies required for the preservation and packaging of organs.
- Completes appropriate documentation for organs and tissues recovered, donor chart, and completion of case duties.
- Assists with post mortem care including disposition of the donor, cleaning of OR and DCU, and equipment.
- Maintains annual competencies for Ventilator, Monitor, IV Pump, Chest X-ray, CT Machine, IVP, and Defibrillator.
- Operates Syngo Via application to process images of hepatic vasculature for abdominal transplant center determination of potential split liver.
- In the critical care setting, collaborates with the Recovery Coordinator, or the
- Advance Practice Coordinator in the care of the organ donor, which includes, but not limited to:
- Prepares the DCU for donor arrival including ventilator, IV Pump, monitor setup, and all applicable equipment and supplies.
- Verifies the donor information has been entered in the supply management system correctly. Prior to using donor labels, verifies with a second trained
- LOPA staff member that all information is accurate.
- Ensure cleanliness of the donor on arrival to DCU, and maintain throughout
- until disposition of donor to morgue. Including but not limited to removing soiled linens, oral care, and the use of wipes for skin hygiene.
- Assists with IV setup to include verifying of IV solutions to be administered and priming of IV lines.
- Maintains accurate intake/output and documents within the clinical database.
- Obtains temperatures, blood pressure, and other vital signs and documents in clinical database.
- Collects blood and urine samples from donors, and labels according to SOP.
- Provides sample to recovery Coordinator for proper distribution or testing.
- Assists with transporting donor to and from CT. Assist and/or performs CT.
- Assists with and/or performs chest x-rays.
- Documents labs in the clinical database.
- Performs IVP therapy.
- Effective communication with internal and external colleagues.
- Maintains competency annually, reviews and completes all assigned tasks in QPulse,
- Absorb, iTransplant, and Education department by assigned deadline.
- Adheres to all LOPA and UNOS guidelines relevant to the organ recovery processes.
- Maintains BLS and ACLS certification.
- Attends monthly meetings, assigned educational trainings, and required LOPA Events.
- Attends a minimal combination of two Educational/Community events per year.
- Upholds LOPA core values of selfless, authentic, and passionate. Use constructive and positive communication.
- Be a team player.
- Hold yourself and other accountable.
- Keep a positive attitude.
- Be respectful of others.
- Timely completion of all required Educational training, tasks and SOP reviews by assigned due date.
- Progression to Organ Preservation Coordinator II includes successful completion of
- Organ Preservation Coordinator I orientation, successful completion of Certified
- Transplant Preservation (CTP) examination, and competency in all requirements of the Organ Preservation Coordinator I job role. Completion of LOPA’s preceptor program.
- Possible exposure to communicable diseases, bloodborne pathogens, airborne illnesses, hazardous materials, pharmacological agents with little likelihood of harm if established health precautions are followed.
- May, at times, have exposure to blood, packaged organs and tissues for transplant and/or research in a hospital setting or while in the office.
- Possible mental and visual fatigue associated with detailed work.
- Travel within the U.S., including flying.
- Travel to branch office locations.
- Work is done indoors in an office, ICU, or Operating room setting.
- Work in a fast-paced environment with an occasionally demanding time schedule.
- Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.
- Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
- Reaching with hands and arms.
- Adjusting or moving objects up to 10 pounds in all directions. Communicating with others verbally and electronically to exchange information.
- Stooping, bending, kneeling or crouching.
- Considerable time spent walking.
- Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers. Use of fine motor skills.
- Doing work that requires visual acuity.
- Need for ability to hear.
- Operating IV pumps, medical equipment.
- Operating motor vehicles.
- Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.
- Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.
- Medium work that includes moving or lifting objects up to 50 pounds.
- Full time, On-Call position.
- Scheduled up to 240 hours/month; scheduled in 12 hour-shifts, 24-hour shifts, or a combination of 12-hour and 24-hour call shifts per month.
- Holiday call rotation. Taking a combination of Major and Minor Holidays that are divided up amongst all team members as equally as possible.
- Maintains personal and professional balance, takes care of self.
Education and Experience
- Medical terminology with experience in patient care setting.
- RN, LPN, CST preferred.
- Previous OPO experience.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
- Ability to deliver effective and professional verbal and written communication.
- Ability to establish and maintain relationships with internal and external colleagues.
- Ability to apply common sense understanding and to solve problems.
- Ability to be flexible in a dynamic work environment.
- Knowledge of medical terminology.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
