Family Support Specialist

Versiti is a fusion of donors, scientific curiosity, and precision medicine that recognize the gifts of blood and life are precious.

We are home to the world-renowned Blood Research Institute, we enable life saving gifts from our donors, and provide the science behind the medicine through our diagnostic laboratories.

Versiti brings together outstanding minds with unparalleled experience in transfusion medicine, transplantation, stem cells and cellular therapies, oncology and genomics, diagnostic lab services, and medical and scientific expertise. This combination of skill and knowledge results in improved patient outcomes, higher quality services and reduced cost of care for hospitals, blood centers, hospital systems, research and educational institutions, and other health care providers.

At Versiti, we are passionate about improving the lives of patients and helping our healthcare partners thrive.

Under the direction of department leadership, the Specialist Family Support is responsible for communicating/interacting in a respectful manner with families to obtain authorization for organ and tissue donation. Collaborates closely with the Organ Donation Specialists, donor hospital staff, and physicians to develop a plan for the family discussion of donation, legal authorization and/or support for donor designation and a bereavement plan.

Responsibilities:

• Supports family needs throughout the entire donor process from referral, family discussion, donor management, operating room, and family follow-up. Meets with the potential donor family to offer donation, providing emotional support and compassion during and after the donation process
• Coordinates huddles with the hospital staff to establish a collaborative plan to support the family and Establishes initial contact with the potential donor family
• Engages with full awareness and sensitivity to cultural and religious beliefs regarding the grief process
• Accurately obtains and completes written consent from the legal next of kin for the purposes of organ and tissue donation
• Supports and upholds donor designation status with all families, as applicable
• Assists Hospital Development Liaisons with educating health care professionals and the public regarding organ donation; may develop, conduct, and participate in education programs for health care professionals and the public
• Supports and demonstrates a customer service commitment to internal and external customers through adherence to Versiti customer service standards and processes
• Maintains competence through participation in job-related continuing education and contributes to quality assurance activities
• Actively participates and contributes in Lean and continuous improvement
• Understands and performs all applicable regulatory and compliance requirements set forth by AOPO (Association of Organ Procurement Organizations), UNOS and CMS
• Demonstrates schedule flexibility as determined by business need and Proactively seeks continued professional development
• Work/job related travel and reliable transportation is required and Requires evening, weekend and holiday work hours
• Stays current with authorization best practices and bereavement-related issues through participation in continuing education
• Participates in case debriefs, assigned work groups and special projects
• Demonstrates Core Values: Do Right Always, Find a Better Way, Make Results Happen and Strengthen the Team
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification
• Understands and performs in accordance with all applicable regulatory and compliance requirements
• Complies with all standard operating policies and procedures

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology or related field required
• Associate's Degree in a related field and 1+ years of healthcare or community-based service experience, displaying strong communication skills and managing interpersonal dynamics, especially in challenging emotional situations, plus an additional 2+ years experience collaborating with patients or customers in challenging emotional situations (3+ years required overall) in lieu of required degree required
• High School and 1+ years of healthcare or community-based service experience, displaying strong communication skills and managing interpersonal dynamics, especially in challenging emotional situations, plus an additional 4+ years experience collaborating with patients or customers in challenging emotional situations (5+ years required overall) in lieu of required degree required

• 1-3 years previous healthcare or community-based service experience, displaying strong communication skills and managing interpersonal dynamics, especially in challenging emotional situations required

• Display compassion in written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills while engaging with grieving families required
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize, handle multiple tasks and strong attention to detail required
• Flexibility to work independently and within a team required
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to provide feedback to peers required
• Strong conflict resolution skills, able to communicate and collaborate with others during challenging and stressful situations required
• Maintains confidentiality required
• Valid Wisconsin Driver’s License and access to a vehicle required

• Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) required
• General office equipment (computer, printer, fax, copy machine, scanner) required