Family Support Specialist

Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Versiti Organ and Tissue is a federally designated Organ Procurement Organization, (OPO) supporting the transplant community in southeastern Wisconsin. While we recover organs for life-saving transplant, we prioritize a family-centered process, supporting both our donors and their families throughout the end-of-life, donation, and bereavement processes. We educate both the public and medical professionals about the tremendous need for organ and tissue donors. We are guided by an advisory board that includes members from the community and affiliated transplant centers. Our service area includes 50 critical care hospitals and 3 transplant centers for a population of 2.3 million people in a 12-county region. We are the region's primary, most current source of information about organ and tissue donation in collaboration with our state team, Donate Life Wisconsin. More than 100,000 Americans are waiting for the organ they need to survive. 2,000+ of those individuals reside in Wisconsin. The need is great, and Versiti is committed to increasing the number of donated organs, eyes and tissue available for transplant to save and enhance lives.

The Family Support Specialist (FSS) is a true donation advocate. They are responsible for obtaining authorization from potential donor families to choose the legacy of donation for their loved one. At Versiti, this is achieved through high- caliber, compassionate, and collaborative family support, working closely and effectively alongside other Versiti OPO staff as well as hospital care teams to develop effective care plans to achieve goals. The FSS is committed to outcome- oriented care, ensuring the donation process remains family-centered while optimizing the OPO's opportunity to save lives.

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

Education

• 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

Experience

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• 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

Tools and Technology

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

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