Organ Placement Specialist I

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Title of Position: Organ Placement Specialist I (OPS I)

Department: Organ Center

Reports to: Manager, Organ Center

GENERAL PURPOSE:

The primary function of this position is to provide twenty-four hour service to OPTN members (Organ Procurement Organizations, Transplant Hospitals, Histocompatibility Laboratories) in the coordination of renal and extra renal organ allocation, donor/recipient matching, organ transportation assistance, and transplant candidate waiting list maintenance tasks. These responsibilities are performed in a fast-paced, high-stress, and time-critical environment requiring a high degree of accuracy, prioritization, and independent judgment.

In addition to execution of core functions, the OPS I is responsible for identifying and mitigating operational risks, ensuring continuity of organ placement activities, and maintaining compliance with OPTN and UNOS policies. This role directly supports organ utilization outcomes by ensuring timely, accurate, and complete coordination of all case activities. Each OPS I is responsible for the prioritization, accuracy, and timeliness of their work, and must ensure all activities are fully documented in accordance with regulatory, audit, and legal standards.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Organ Placement/Transportation Assistance

The OPS I provides organ placement assistance according to established OPTN and UNOS policies and Organ Center procedures, appropriately documenting all activity. The OPS I is responsible for the coordination of complex, multi-variable allocation processes requiring prioritization across competing clinical needs, geographic considerations, and time-sensitive preservation constraints.

This includes communication of a complete organ donor profile (including medical/social history, laboratory values, serologies, hemodynamics, and organ-specific anatomy) to transplant teams to support informed clinical decision-making. The OPS I reviews donor information for completeness and collaborates with Organ Procurement Organizations to resolve discrepancies in real time.

The OPS I is responsible for identifying the most efficient transportation solutions, utilizing ground couriers, commercial carriers, and charter aircraft. Additionally, the OPS I must anticipate and respond to changes such as updated donor information, logistical constraints, or delays, ensuring stakeholders are informed and case progression is not impacted. The OPS I manages multiple active cases simultaneously while maintaining accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.

Communication/Documentation

The OPS I demonstrates clear, concise, and professional communication with OPTN members and internal stakeholders in both verbal and written formats. The OPS I must rapidly assess, research, and resolve non-routine inquiries in a high-pressure environment.

All donor cases, allocation attempts, and transplant candidate waiting list modifications must be documented in real time with a high degree of accuracy and completeness to ensure audit readiness and regulatory compliance. Documentation must support internal reporting requirements, external audits, and potential legal review. The OPS I contributes to mitigating organizational risk through strict adherence to documentation standards.

File Maintenance/Match Runs

The OPS I provides accurate and timely donor/transplant candidate match runs and validates results prior to use in allocation. The OPS I supports transplant center requests for waiting list information and ensures that all additions, modifications, and deletions are completed accurately and within required timeframes.

The OPS I is responsible for identifying discrepancies or data issues and resolving them to ensure data integrity across systems.

Resource Support

The OPS I serves as a resource for OPTN members by referencing allocation policies, responding to transplant candidate waiting list inquiries, and system-related issues. This includes troubleshooting technical issues related to UNOS systems and supporting users with varying levels of expertise.

The OPS I must independently assess issues, determine appropriate actions, and escalate when necessary while maintaining continuity of operations. The OPS I is responsible for maintaining patient and donor confidentiality and ensuring compliance with system security requirements.

Auditing/Projects

The OPS I participates in quality assurance activities including auditing waiting list maintenance and case documentation. The OPS I is expected to identify opportunities for process improvement and contribute to operational efficiency initiatives.

Participation in projects, workflow enhancements, and other duties as assigned by Organ Center Management is required.

• Entry-level experience in the field of transplantation, information technology, customer service, or health care or related field required.
• In order to perform the above duties, Organ Placement Specialist are required to work 12-hour shifts that rotate between day and night, and include weekends, holidays and on call responsibilities as scheduled.

Critical Skills

• Strong multitasking, prioritization, and critical thinking skills
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Ability to work in a high-stress, fast-paced environment
• Knowledge of medical terminology and transplant processes (preferred)

Education

• 4-year degree in Science, Healthcare or related field, or equivalent work experience required.

Physical Requirements

• General office demands
  
  
  
  • Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
  • Frequent reaching, handling, and fine manipulation for using office equipment, filing, and managing paperwork.
  • Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, mouse, and other office tools.
  • Occasional standing, walking, and bending.
  • Ability to lift 10-20 pounds occasionally.
  • Vision abilities required include close vision for computer work and reading documents.
  • Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.