Independent Living Donor Advocate, Full-time, Days

Company Description

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better healthcare, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. At Northwestern Medicine, we pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, we take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

Job Description

The Independent Donor Advocate reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Medicine (NM), adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Independent Living Donor Advocate (ILDA) functions as an advocate and resource for the Transplant Program’s living kidney and liver donor candidates throughout referral, evaluation, surgery and follow-up (the donation process). This role ensures that the donor’s rights are protected that their best interests are promoted and that all questions and concerns raised during the donation process are addressed. The Independent Living Donor Advocate respects and supports the donor’s decision and ensures that it is fully informed and free from any coercion. 

The role of the independent living donor advocate (ILDA) is regulated by Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations, Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN)/United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) policies and the policies of Northwestern Memorial Hospital Organ Transplant Center.

Responsibilities:

• The ILDA represents and advises the donor candidate throughout the donation process with the goal of protecting their rights and promoting their best interests. Throughout the donation process the ILDA will provide a safe environment for the potential donor to express questions and concerns regarding the evaluation process and transplant surgery. 
• Acts as the first contact for the potential living donors to ensure the patient is acting on their own free-will, without coercion, and is not motivated by an exchange in services or valuables. In this initial conversation, the ILDA explains the ILDA role and the donor evaluation process so that the potential donor understands what to expect and can ask any preliminary questions before proceeding.
• Facilitates education and assistance to living donors and staff regarding Patients’ Rights for legislative and regulatory compliance.
• Attends selection committee meetings on a weekly basis to advocate for or against donors’ suitability to donate from an Independent Donor Advocate perspective.
• Maintains and monitors donor questionnaire software.
• Uses Epic in order to maintain organization of donors contacted, moved to different phases, and/or ruled out.
• Documents interactions in Epic that provide evidence that the advocate had discussions with the donor during pre-evaluation, evaluation, donation, discharge, and follow up. Discussions include informed consent,  the entire donation experience and risks, responses to donor questions or concerns, techniques used to evaluate the donor’s understanding and respect for the donor’s final decision.  Also includes confirmation that the donor had the opportunity to ask questions and the responses given.
• Remains current in knowledge applicable to the position including transplantation and living organ donation informed consent medical ethics UNOS/OPTN policy and CMS requirements.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of living organ donation, transplantation, medical ethics and informed consent.
  • Demonstrating knowledge of informed consent means the following:
    • Understanding the content that will be discussed with the living donor during the informed consent process and be able to accurately assess the donor’s understanding.
    • Evaluating donor understanding through discussion and validating using teach back method.
    • As needed, identifying areas where additional information or clarification is warranted to improve donor understanding and if necessary, involve other transplant program or hospital staff.
  • Demonstrating knowledge of medical ethics means the following:
    • Holding the donor’s welfare of primary importance.
    • Respecting the decisions and autonomy of the donor in his/her decision to donate and the care he/she receives.
    • The ILDA must understand the potential impact of family and other external pressures on the prospective living donor’s decision whether to donate and the ability to discuss these issues with the donor. The ILDA should meet with the donor apart from any other individuals who might harbor a conflict of interest. For this reason, the ILDA functions separately from the transplant program.

Qualifications

Required:

• BS or BA
• Minimum 3 years experience in Patient-Relations with proven success in conflict resolution with health

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in Social Work
• Previous experience with transplant population

Additional Information

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.