Referral Response Coordinator

The Referral Response Coordinator (RRC) applies healthcare knowledge, industry expertise, independent judgment, and medical protocols to support the organ donation referral process throughout Cascade Life Alliance’s (CLA) Donor Service Area (DSA), including hospitals in Oregon, southern Washington, and southwest Idaho.

 

This position provides referral call coverage and on-site hospital response, conducts comprehensive medical

evaluations of potential organ donors, and collaborates with healthcare teams to preserve the option of

donation. The RRC independently collects, validates, interprets, and synthesizes complex clinical information;

identifies significant findings; determines additional assessment needs; and communicates timely information

to support referral progression and donor candidacy determinations by the Administrator on Call (AOC).

 

Working autonomously within established protocols, the RRC prioritizes concurrent referrals, coordinates

communication among multidisciplinary healthcare teams, and supports the ongoing assessment and

management of potential organ donors. The RRC develops and maintains essential relationships with hospital

partners and serves as a clinical resource to donor hospitals through consultation, education, and operational

coordination. The RRC also supports other clinical and donor family support roles at CLA. The duties of this

position support CLA’s mission and goals.

Provides clinical assessment, consultation, and coordination throughout the organ donation referral process.

• Collects and documents comprehensive pre-screening information for incoming donor referrals in accordance with CLA policies and procedures.
• Interprets and synthesizes clinical information from the medical record, diagnostic testing, laboratory data, and hospital care team to support donor candidacy determinations by the Administrator on Call (AOC).
• Monitors active referrals, evaluates changes in patient condition and plan of care, and communicates clinically significant information to the AOC and appropriate stakeholders.
• Performs onsite huddles and collaborates with hospital care teams to support referral progression and preserve the option of donation.
• Provides clinical consultation and real-time education to internal staff and hospital partners regarding donor evaluation and the organ donation process.
• Prioritizes multiple concurrent referrals and coordinates timely communication among internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborates with Hospital Development to support effective relationships and service needs of donor hospital partners.

• Supports Organ Donation Coordinators with case functions including chart completion, allocation calls, donor management, and other clinical or logistical needs.
• Maintains competency to perform case starts, including serology testing, standing orders, basic donor management, and chart completion, as needed. 
• Collaborates with Donor and Family Advocates to support authorization, disclosure, and donor risk assessment activities.
• Coordinates staffing and logistics to support active referrals and donor cases.
• Participates in peer review, quality assurance, documentation review, and process improvement activities.

• Maintains current knowledge of organ donation practices, clinical standards, regulatory requirements, and organizational policies.
• Participates in continuing education, organizational and departmental meetings, committee work, quality improvement initiatives, departmental projects, and the precepting and onboarding of new colleagues as assigned.
• Serves as a clinical resource to colleagues through collaboration, consultation, mentoring, and knowledge sharing.
• Performs other duties consistent with the scope and professional expectations of the position. 

• Associates of Science Degree with healthcare related focus or equivalent experience.

• 2-years recent relevant clinical or educational experience.

• Must have a valid driver's license and access to a vehicle.

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing, Healthcare Administration, Biological sciences, Respiratory Therapy, EMS or another health-care related discipline or equivalent experience.
• Experience in organ procurement, transplantation, critical care, emergency medicine, respiratory therapy, trauma, critical care transport, or another specialty involving critically ill patients.
• Experience with clinical education, consultation, mentoring, quality improvement, electronic medical records, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams. 
• RN – Registered Nurse.
• CPTC – Certified Procurement Transplant Coordinator, when applicable.
• Other nationally recognized certification relevant to the individual's clinical background or the responsibilities of the position. 

• Strong clinical knowledge and critical thinking skills to assess complex patient presentations, synthesize clinical information, and support time-sensitive clinical decision-making.
• Ability to exercise sound professional judgment within established protocols, prioritize competing clinical and operational demands, and adapt to rapidly changing, high-acuity situations.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex clinical information and coordinate multiple concurrent referrals with multidisciplinary healthcare teams while maintaining accuracy, professionalism, and confidentiality. 

The referral response coordinator triages all incoming patient referrals, conducts onsite huddles in partner hospital ICU’s as appropriate, remotely assists onsite Organ Donation Coordinators. The RRC works for variable 12-hour periods (night and/or day shift) and may travel via commercial aircraft and vehicle.

 

Marketing and education responsibilities include Provide education to hospital staff for the purpose of increasing organ donation. 

 

We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington. All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr@ohsu.edu