What are the responsibilities and job description for the Critical Care Nurse - Procurement Transplant Coordinator position at Nevada Donor Network, Inc.?
The Procurement Transplant Coordinator – RN Critical Care supports the mission, goals, and strategic plan of Nevada Donor Network (NDN) by providing comprehensive ICU-level care to organ donors in the DCU. These nurses are responsible for all bedside care and daily management of patients, ensuring optimal stability and organ viability. In addition to managing donors in the DCU, these nurses are responsible for organ allocation, communication with transplant centers, and coordination of recovery logistics. They act as the primary liaison between hospital teams, NDN, and external partners to ensure compliance with OPTN/UNOS, CMS, and AOPO standards. Additionally, they will assist with donor evaluation and management at hospitals, support organ allocation and logistics, conduct hospital education and development activities, participate in quality improvement and process development projects, serve as a clinical resource for hospital and OPO staff. This role requires advanced clinical skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to work in a high-pressure, dynamic environment while upholding NDN’s core mission: to save and heal lives.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Deliver all aspects of bedside care, including hygiene, turning/repositioning, suctioning, prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia, and skin integrity management.
• Monitor and document vital signs, hemodynamic parameters, neurological status, ventilator settings, lab values, and intake/output.
• Manage all lines, tubes, drains, and equipment, including arterial lines, central lines, Foley catheters, and ventilators.
• Administer, titrate, and monitor medications including vasoactive drips, sedatives, analgesics, and blood products under the direction of the AOC or Medical Director.
• Perform procedures within scope such as arterial line placement, lab draws, and specimen collection for typing and cultures.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and prepared unit, ready to receive donors at any time.
• Provide compassionate care and dignity to all donors, ensuring respectful handling throughout the donation process.
• Implement advanced donor management protocols to maximize organ viability, including ventilator adjustments, fluid management, and pharmacologic interventions.
• Collaborate with the AOC, Medical Director, and transplant surgeons to execute individualized care plans.
• Identify and correct metabolic, hemodynamic, and oxygenation issues using evidence-based practices.
• Ensure donor stabilization meets OPTN/UNOS and NDN standards prior to recovery.
• Prepare donors for surgery and facilitate smooth transitions to the OR and recovery teams.
• Allocate organs efficiently and equitably in compliance with OPTN/UNOS policies and match runs.
• Coordinate with transplant centers and surgeons to ensure timely and accurate communication of organ offers and acceptances.
• Accurately enter and maintain data in UNet, iTransplant, and other tracking systems.
• Communicate updates to all relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure proper collection, labeling, and transport of specimens for tissue typing and crossmatch.
• Oversee transportation logistics for organs, surgical teams, and recovery equipment to ensure smooth, on-time recoveries.
• Confirm that documentation and consents are complete and compliant before any organ recovery begins.
• Respond on-site to potential donor referrals to assist with clinical evaluation and support.
• Provide ICU-level expertise to hospital teams managing potential donors.
• Participate in hospital rounds to build relationships, identify barriers, and promote donation culture.
• Deliver hospital staff education and training on donor identification, management, and referral processes.
• Conduct after-action reviews and case debriefs to promote continuous improvement.
• Support hospital development initiatives and foster collaboration across departments and facilities.
• Assist with data collection, quality initiatives, and research efforts.
• Ensure strict adherence to NDN, CMS, OPTN/UNOS, and AOPO policies and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality of all donor, recipient, and organizational data.
• Accurately complete all donor records, regulatory documentation, and data entry.
• Actively participate in audits, case reviews, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Stay current with changes to national policies, guidelines, and best practices.
Requirements
SKILLS & ABILITIES
Education: Associate’s Degree in Nursing required, Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing or higher preferred.
Experience: Minimum of 2–5 years of recent critical care nursing experience required. Experience with organ donor management or transplant coordination in an OPO setting preferred.
Licenses/Certifications: Active RN license in the State of Nevada required. Certified Procurement Transplant Coordinator (CPTC) within 18 months of hire. Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification preferred.
Other Requirements: Possess leadership skills.
