Post Transplant Specialist

Job description

At Houston Methodist, the Post-Transplant Specialist position is responsible for coordinating and managing activities related to the post- transplant phase, follow-up care per protocols, and management with multiple physicians and consultants for ongoing care. This position reflects 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 new staff members. The Post-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.

 FLSA STATUS
Non-exempt
QUALIFICATIONS
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

EXPERIENCE
• Two years clinical experience with one year transplant clinical experience

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Preferred
• LVN - Licensed Vocational Nurse - State Licensure

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing 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 pre-transplant assistant roles
• Supportive of change initiatives. Adapts to unexpected changes. Acts as change agent

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Communicates in a positive and effective manner to all health care team members and reports pertinent patient care and family data in a comprehensive and unbiased manner. Proactively identifies language and cultural barriers by scheduling translators and serves as a liaison with international services as needed. Uses time efficiently, consistently offers assistance, and responds positively to requests for assistance from other team members.
• Collaborates with the interprofessional team to drive the post-transplant process. Assists nurse coordinators with return-to-work, disability, and other patient assistance forms, i.e., post-transplant medications. Proactively coordinates routine follow-up required of post-transplant patients. Provides correspondence to referring physicians.
• 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
• Responsible for clinic preparation (including correcting appointment information if applicable) ensuring providers and referring physicians are recorded, appropriate flags are indicated, and gather/scan records and lab/diagnostic results into electronic medical record (EMR). Documents all interactions with patients and obtains results of post-transplant testing as per protocol, entering conversations and results into EMR, if applicable, and providing to physician for review. Communicates with coordinators abnormal results for review. Follows up on testing results that takes days-weeks to result.
• Performs prescription refill management per protocol; including assisting with medication prior authorization as applicable. Provides support for patient and family. Process applicable correspondence for mail out. Able to troubleshoot service barriers independently and seek appropriate resources for resolution.
• Responds in a proactive manner to service concerns, resolving such matters according to established guidelines in a prompt manner. Escalates and contacts appropriate management staff for unusual circumstances in a timely manner to maintain a high level of patient satisfaction. Maintains confidentiality of sensitive information and informs management of pertinent issues.
• 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
• Independently follows up to ensure appointment/testing has occurred; retrieve results for review. Collaborates with nursing coordinators with follow-up testing, per post-transplant protocols. Updates and maintains patient disposition in EMR throughout the post-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.
• Reports observations, conditions and problems of patients to licensed personnel to achieve desired patient outcomes. Provides for the privacy of patients and families, keeping the safety of the patient in mind. 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.
• Follows up on action items as necessary to ensure completion of assignments. Contributes to identification of corrective action and improvement activities, impacting quality and safety targets 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. Initiates assistance for patients by completing Patient Assistance Program applications.
• Leads initiation of Hern Foundation fund account requests.

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 ongoing 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 a minimum of 75% of staff meetings.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: Yes
• Business professional: Yes
• Other (department approved): No
• On Call* No
• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

WORK ATTIRE
ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.
TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**


Work Shift:
1 - Day (United States of America)


Job Category:
Non-clinical

Houston Methodist Hospital is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 hospital in Texas and one of America’s “Best Hospitals.” As a full-service, acute-care hospital located in the Texas Medical Center and the flagship hospital of Houston Methodist, it has evolved into one of the nation’s largest nonprofit teaching hospitals and a leader in innovative medical research with a comprehensive residency program. Two of Houston Methodist’s primary academic affiliates are among the nation’s leading health care organizations: Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Houston Methodist also has affiliations with Texas A&M University and the University of Houston. Houston Methodist Hospital offers unparalleled care for thousands of patients from around the world.

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.