Organ procurement coordinators are healthcare professionals who are in charge of overseeing the entire organ transplant process from the time it has been decided that a patient requires an organ transplant, to after the surgery has been carried out. The coordinator acts as the central point of contact for the donor/donor's family, the recipient, and the physicians from beginning to end. Working alongside doctors and other hospital staff to evaluate and screen both the donor and recipient is one of the primary tasks of the organ procurement coordinator. Sometimes, the coordinator might even assist in the transport of the actual organ right before the surgery occurs. The importance of organ procurement coordinators cannot be overstated since the success of an organ donation and transplant often depends largely on them.
What Are Some Organ Procurement Coordinator Duties?
Duties that organ procurement coordinators are commonly tasked with include the following:
Manage the organ recipient waiting list
Devise a list of matching recipients once a donor has been identified
Speak to families and gain permission to donate
Provide emotional support and education to families of deceased potential donors with respect to the donation process
Remain in constant communication with physicians, surgeons, nurses, and other health care staff throughout the entirety of the transplant process
Ensure organs remain viable for donation and make sure they are delivered on time to the recipient
Where Do Organ Procurement Coordinators Work?
Organ procurement coordinates have a very specific job, and may find employment with the following:
Hospitals
Private companies
Non-profit organ procurement organizations
How to Become an Organ Procurement Coordinator
Organ procurement coordinators must have the right combination of education and experience in organ donation and/or medical-surgical environments to find success in the role. These nursing professionals must also have expert communication skills, as they must interact with a wide variety of healthcare team members as well as donor families and recipients to keep the process moving efficiently. High levels of organization and empathy are crucial for this specialty.
Step 1: Educational Requirements
To become an organ procurement coordinator, individuals should have the following in their educational background
An Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited college or university - preferably the latter
Pass the NCLEX-RN examination
Hold an active and unrestricted RN license
* Applicable electives that one can take to prepare themselves better for a career in organ procurement coordinating include courses in case management and transplant surgery
Do Organ Procurement Coordinators Need an RN Degree?
Yes, at the very least organ procurement coordinators will need to hold active and unrestricted RN licenses. In most cases, in addition to holding an RN license, these health care professionals will also have an extensive background in surgery.
Step 2: Required Organ Procurement Coordinator Certifications/Credentials
To be eligible for these certifications, candidates will need to hold an RN license and have between 12 and 24 months of work experience in the appropriate specialty area.
Organ Procurement Coordinator Jobs, Salary & Employment
The medical technology behind organ transplants has improved considerably over the years. It's quite possible that because transplant surgeries now have a higher success rate than they have in years past, a higher number of patients are choosing to go through with these kinds of surgeries. Due to an increase in public awareness regarding organ donation, the number of people becoming donors has also increased. All of this suggests that future transplant coordinator jobs will be plentiful.
Job Description & Information
Essential Skills Needed - Excellent interpersonal communication skills, ability to follow strict protocol, critical thinking skills, counseling skills, teamwork, and initiative
Job Outlook - The job outlook for anyone working in the nursing field is well above average. This includes organ procurement coordinators. Opportunities within the nursing field are expected to increase by 16 percent through the year 2026 according to projections made by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What Is the Average Salary of an Organ Procurement Coordinator?
According to PayScale, the average yearly salary for an organ procurement coordinator is about $62,901. In addition to their annual salaries, organ procurement coordinators can expect to receive employee benefits, which tend to include medical insurance, retirement plans, an allotment of paid time off and/or sick leave, and in some cases life insurance plans. Salaries and benefits will inevitably vary by employer and also depend heavily on the geographical location of employment. Education and experience level will factor in as well.
How Much Do Organ Procurement Coordinators Make per Year?
$43,000 – $87,000 annually
How Much Do Organ Procurement Coordinators Make per Hour?
