Family Support Coordinator

Are you looking to find a career in the medical field that is working to save a life every day or become part of someone’s legacy? If so, HonorBridge is seeking a positive, energetic, and highly motivated individual to join our team.

HonorBridge is the largest Organ Procurement Organization in North Carolina.  We partner with hospitals, transplant centers and other partners to coordinate the organ and tissue donation process.  We are passionate about inspiring our community to register as organ and tissue donors and provide support to the families of those who give the gift of life.

Job Summary:

Due to growth, HonorBridge is recruiting a Family Support Coordinator to conduct services related to HonorBridge Family Services programs to families of potential organ donors.  The Family Support Coordinator is a dual advocate who responds to potential donor families in a respectful and sensitive manner at all times to ensure the needs of the family are met while advocating for potential recipients in need of life-saving or life-enhancing transplants.   

The ideal candidate is dedicated to Honorbridge’s Mission to build connections that save and heal lives through organ and tissue donation; has a background in Counseling, Ministerial, Social Work or Psychology and can learn and understand medical terminology. 

This position includes 16 hour call days. Individuals must be prepared to be onsite when on call.  

What you’ll be doing:

• Receives referral information from on call coordinator.
• Discusses case with Administrator On Call.
• Communicates with referring individual the estimated time for arrival on unit.
• Reviews patient’s current and past medical history to the point accessible and consults with the Organ Donation Coordinator on call as needed to verify medical suitability.
• Discusses the case with health care staff present and reviews the case.
• Makes contact with attending MD to establish relationship and set plan for family interaction.
• Keeps family informed with the health care professionals regarding the status of their loved one, explains what is happening, meets the needs of the families to the best of one’s ability.
• Stays in continuous communication with health care staff (primary and auxiliary) and with attending MD.
• Ensures, to the best of Family Support Coordinator’s ability, that the family is satisfied with the care of their loved one and their own treatment by the hospital.
• Facilitates the family’s understanding of the progress, lack of progress or clinical deterioration. If the patient is not progressing to brain death the Family Support Coordinator will establish a relationship with another appropriate support system in collaboration with the primary health care staff.
• When the patient progresses to brain death, the Family Support Coordinator will assist the family in understanding the testing that will be performed to determine whether or not the patient has died.  The family will be kept informed and educated through this process so that they understand the process and comprehend that their loved one has died.
• Will work with the staff and MD to ensure that they do not talk about organ donation until the requester determines that the family is ready to have this subject discussed with them. 
• At the appropriate time HonorBridge and/or hospital personnel will make a collaborative approach for donation. The Family Support Coordinator will make a positive presentation regarding donation options with the objective of achieving authorization for donation.  Regardless of the family’s decision the Family Support Coordinator will support them in their decision.
• If the family has agreed to the donation, the Organ Donation Coordinator will initiate donor process protocols.  The Family Support Coordinator continues to provide care and information to the donor family throughout the donation process.
• Appropriately responds to calls and inquiries from donor families with concerns or questions.  Refers donor families to appropriate community resources, provides them with HonorBridge materials and information, and refers them to the Life Anew Program Coordinator.
• Responds to administrative duties to include internal and external communication, projects and QA tasks in a timely manner as defined by HonorBridge leadership.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Administrator on Call and HonorBridge leadership.
• Travel to Honorbridge “A” hospitals within (and occasionally) outside of their region is required. 

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum 2 years of experience serving in a Counseling, Ministerial, Social Work or Psychology role required.
• Strong ability to cope with stress
• Able to work with autonomy while managing multiple priorities.
• High degree of sensitivity and compassion for families whose loved one has died or where death is imminent
• Understanding of medical terminology
• Ability to be awake and of service to family for 24 hours from time of involvement with them,
• Valid driver’s license

What’s in it for you?

• A chance to save a life!
• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• A matching retirement plan,
• Paid Sick and Vacation time
• Financial Finesse program
• Life Balance Account Reimbursement
• Professional Development and Growth
• Plus a lot more