LifeLink Foundation·Hillsborough County, Florida
This role involves coordinating information with hospital and LifeLink staff to evaluate referrals for potential organ/tissue donation, applying policies for approaching next-of-kin to offer donation options. Key duties include hospital staff development, acting as a communication link, and performing clinical responsibilities like screening referrals and assisting with authorization.
Join LifeLink — Join a Life Saving Team!
About LifeLink More than four decades ago, a visionary group of innovators, led by renowned nephrologist Dr. Dana Shires, made a life-changing commitment—to save lives through organ and tissue donation. From that bold beginning, LifeLink Foundation was established – founded with heart, purpose, and a mission that still guides us today.
What started as a nonprofit with big dreams has grown into a vision-driven organization of more than 700 dedicated professionals across west-central Florida, Georgia, parts of South Carolina, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
To honor donors and save lives through organ and tissue donation.
To maximize the gift of life while giving hope to donor families and transplant patients.
We are grounded in the values that shape our work and culture—Compassion. Excellence. Legacy. People. Quality.
If you’re inspired by purpose, driven by impact, and ready to help save and heal lives, LifeLink is the place for you.
Designated Work Area - Lakeland, FL, you will directly contribute to LifeLink’s life-saving mission.
This position fills the dual role of a Family Care Coordinator and professional educator for a designated hospital/system.
The primary responsibility is to utilize the resources available and coordinate information with appropriate hospital and LifeLink staff to evaluate and respond to hospital referrals for the purpose of determining a potential organ/ tissue donor.
Responsibilities may include but are not limited to application of LifeLink’s policies and procedures in performing and documenting the approach, authorization, honoring donor designation and medical/social behavioral interview of next-of-kin and other appropriate family members/associates to offer the option of donation for the purpose of transplantation, medical therapy, or research.
Unit rounding through all appropriate areas, hospital staff follow-up, and other preliminary or back-up recovery related duties.
This combined responsibility requires focus on building and maintaining strong relationships with appropriate hospital staff with the goal of facilitating a successful recovery of organs and tissue for transplant.
In partnership with the assigned Hospital Development Liaison
Hospital staff development to include physicians, residents, nurses, ancillary and administrative staff:
Act as primary communication link between LifeLink staff and hospital staff.
Develop and maintain relationships.
Maintain high visibility on all shifts.
Identify potential donor referrals in collaboration with hospital staff and update appropriately.
Responsible for participating in quality assessment performance improvement (QAPI) activities for the OPO as outlined in the OPO Quality Assessment Performance Improvement Plan.
Attend Hospital Development initiatives such as Donor Advisory Committees.
Participates in OPO meetings, special projects, and activities as directed.
Must be available to provide coverage as assigned.
Participate in screening referrals ensuring a timely response and appropriate hospital collaboration for initial referral and follow-up referrals.
Provide recommendations to hospital staff on implementation of catastrophic brain injury guidelines (CBIG). Encourage continued treatment and suggest treatment as indicated to preserve donation opportunities.
Referral, pre-authorization, and authorization responsibilities will consist of, but may not be limited to:
Referral evaluation of potential donor for brain death donation (BDD) or donation after circulatory death (DCD) with appropriate DCD evaluation tool completed.
Determination of suitability, in concert with the Administrator on Call (AOC) and Medical Director on Call (MDOC.)
Ensure that FL statute 765.512 order of priority is followed for authorization and donor disclosure.
Effective communication with AOC, MDOC and on-call team with all potential donor situations.
Review of patient’s medical records.
Completion of physical assessment.
Review of donor information with appropriate hospital personnel.
In conjunction with AOC determine appropriate time for discussions with family and requesting authorization from NOK or disclosure of donor designation, utilizing approved authorization and donor disclosure forms and protocols.
Timely documentation entries of referrals and other details related to case including family dynamics.
Post-authorization responsibilities will consist of but may not be limited to:
Supporting family and offering all appropriate information.
Notifying the call team of authorization/donor disclosure outcome.
Provide follow-up with family in conjunction with transplant coordinator and administrator on call.
Update information according to the FCC guidelines.
Case initiation responsibilities may consist of but may not be limited:
Initiating case start order set.
Obtain specimens for infectious disease testing, HLA tissue typing, and cultures.
Other recovery-related duties as directed by Administrator on Call.
Participates in OPO meetings, special projects, and activities as directed.
Participate in activities to improve donor conversations, cultural sensitivity, overcoming obstacles, avoiding cultural barriers or donor designation objection to donation.
Who You Are
Passionate about helping others and making a difference
Aligned with LifeLink’s core values of Compassion, Excellence, Legacy, People, and Quality
Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in Nursing, Social Services, Allied Health, or a related field (RN, BA, BS, or AA), or equivalent combination of education and relevant hospital and/or OPO critical care experience.
Ability to work outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays as well as non- scheduled hours when necessary.
Ability to apply sound judgment and flexibility, working autonomously with an open line of daily communication with manager.
Demonstrated effective presentation and personal interaction skills with above average written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated physical ability to lift, carry and/or move equipment of varying weight from 1 to 75 pounds for 5% of the work time.
Reliable vehicle with good driving record and current driver’s license.
Pleasant, team-oriented, interactive work environment.
Daily travel within assigned service area.
24-hour availability via cell phone.
Late night hours.
Hazardous conditions include, but are not limited to, possible exposure to blood or bodily fluids from potentially infected donors and the potential of obtaining cuts and /or punctures to skin from sharp instruments and equipment.
OSHA Risk Classification: High
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion LifeLink is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment that reflects the communities we serve.
Ready to Help Change Lives? Your next career move could be the most meaningful one yet.
Candidates must be passionate about helping others and align with LifeLink's core values, holding an RN license or a Bachelor's degree in social services or an allied healthcare field. Required abilities include working outside normal business hours, applying sound judgment autonomously, and possessing strong communication and presentation skills.
Market context
In Florida, in-house coordinator roles in healthcare and donation-related settings often draw candidates who can work independently, communicate clearly, and stay flexible with scheduling. This position is competitive because it asks for either an RN license or a bachelor’s degree in social services or an allied healthcare field, plus the ability to use sound judgment outside normal business hours. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to quickly compare fit, then confirm your licensure, availability, and experience with autonomous decision-making before applying.
