At Houston Methodist, the Pre-Transplant Specialist position is responsible for coordinating and managing activities related to the transplant evaluation phase, listing with UNOS, and waitlist management of potential organ transplant recipients. This position will also reflect a level of clinical expertise in the area of transplantation and serves as a resource, role model, and clinical consultant by assisting program leadership with the orientation process and precepting of new staff members. The Pre-Transplant Specialist position demonstrates appropriate communication skills and interpersonal relationships. This position demonstrates clinical knowledge and skills to carry out delegated tasks for age-specific populations described in the unit(s) scope of service.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Employs appropriate communication techniques by phone to make appointment reminder calls and follow up calls for missed appointments per protocol to patients. Proactively identifies language and cultural barriers by scheduling translators and serves as a liaison with international services as needed. Documents all patient interactions in electronic medical record (EMR).

• Conducts patient and family education regarding selection criteria, transplantation, and expectations pre-transplant and compliance requirements. Assists patients by completing Patient Assistance Program applications. Provides additional support for patient and family as appropriate.

• Provides contributions towards improvement of department scores for turnover/retention/employee satisfaction on unit-based scorecard, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Collaborates with the interprofessional team to drive the pre-transplant process. Obtains results of pre-transplant evaluation as per protocol and enters results into transplant database and EMR. Prepares information for the weekly patient selection committee meeting.

• Lists patients on national United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) registry and provides documentation to patients regarding waitlist status. Updates pertinent organ data (such as LAS, MELD, Heart criteria, and Kidney status) in UNET monthly for all active patients on waiting list or as per UNOS policy for inactive patients. Coordinates routine follow-up required of waitlist patients. Obtains test results for review by physician. Provides correspondence to referring physician while patient on UNOS waiting list.

• Assists physicians in clinic on a rotating schedule for coordination of pre-transplant patient care. Performs prescription refill management per protocol; including assisting with medication prior authorization as applicable. Process applicable correspondence for mail out. Able to troubleshoot service barriers independently and seek appropriate resources for resolution.

• Role models behaviors and skills, through peer-to-peer accountability, towards improving department score for patient satisfaction on unit-based scorecard.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Recognizes problems, investigates the cause, takes remedial action or escalates and notifies management for follow-up. Maintains a continuous feedback loop by sending referring/outside physicians and applicable person(s) copies of records and information pertinent to care management including but not limited to transplant discharge and clinic visit updates with each encounter. Obtains outside medical records and scans appropriately into departmental EMR.

• Proactively follows up to ensure appointment/testing has occurred-retrieve results for review. Updates and maintains patient disposition in EMR throughout the pre-transplant process for accurate capture of patient progression including but not limited to protocol and sick visits, transfer, and death record as indicated per protocol.

• Adheres to regulatory, system, division and department policies, procedures, guidelines and standards. Follows up on action items as necessary to ensure completion of assignments. Contributes towards improving quality and safety scores on the department scorecard, through peer-to-peer accountability, reporting near misses, and collaborating with the interprofessional team.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime. Utilizes resources and time efficiently and helps other team members.

• Proactively obtains prior authorization for diagnostic testing from insurance carriers. Collaborate with nurse coordinator for effective and efficient scheduling evaluation testing.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serves as a resource to others in the resolution of complex problems and issues and orients new staff to the department processes. Identifies and assumes responsibility of own learning needs, consults with healthcare team experts and seeks continuing education opportunities to meet those needs. Completes and updates the individual development plan (IDP) on an on-going basis. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management.

• Proactively offers innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement projects and shared governance activities. Participates in department donor awareness events, educational opportunities, and community activities. Stays informed with department activities and development by attending minimum of 75% of staff meetings.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

• Associate's degree preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Five years transplant clinical experience

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - PREFERRED

• LVN - Licensed Vocational Nurse - State Licensure

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Completion of Preceptor class within six months of hire/transfer

• Ability to operate and troubleshoot equipment (fax, PC, printers, telephones, etc.)

• Highly proficient computer application skills

• Demonstrates ability to learn and perform with other post-transplant assistant roles

• Supportive of change initiatives. Adapts to unexpected changes. Acts as change agent

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Since its founding in 1919, Houston Methodist Hospital has earned worldwide recognition. Houston Methodist Hospital is affiliated with the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the nation's leading centers for medical education and research.  In 2020, U.S. News & World Report named Houston Methodist Hospital to its top ranked Honor Roll for the fourth time and second consecutive year. 2020 also marked the ninth year in a row Houston Methodist Hospital has been named the No. 1 hospital in Texas. Houston Methodist Hospital directs millions of research dollars into patient care and offers the latest innovations in medical, surgical and diagnostic techniques. With 952 operating beds, 85 operating rooms and over 8,000 employees, Houston Methodist offers complete care for patients from around the world.

 

The same high-quality care for which Houston Methodist is known is available at several Emergency Care Centers in Houston and the surrounding areas.  These Emergency Care Centers house exam rooms, full digital radiography suite, low radiation dose 16-slice CT scan, ultrasound and a full on-site stat chemistry lab.