OPO Aftercare Support Specialist

The Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency at the University of Miami/UHealth is currently seeking a full time OPO Aftercare Specialist. The Aftercare Support Specialist – Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) facilitates meeting the needs of programs regarding post-donor case bereavement support to donor families.  The Aftercare Team is essential to the ongoing growth and alignment of Life Alliance’s organizational mission with the needs of donor families. Efforts from this role directly influence Life Alliance’s ability to nurture ongoing relationships with stakeholders, particularly donor families, ensuring they feel connected and supported beyond the donation process.  Required to make decisions that directly impact the well-being of donor families, requiring the need to apply both emotional intelligence and strategic thinking. As a result, the position requires a unique blend of problem-solving and empathy that aligns with the core values of Life Alliance.

CORE JOB FUNCTIONS

Department Specific Functions

Bereavement Support

• Delivers grief and bereavement support for Life Alliance donor families.  Oversees and leads the HALO group, consisting of donor family members, for further support and services.
• Facilitates majority of all post-donor case family follow-up, including, but not limited to phone calls, written correspondence, answering questions, and donor family bereavement needs, etc.
• Ensures donor families have accurate, real-time access to information about bereavement via the website, printed collateral, email, and phone.
• Facilitates donor family and transplant recipient communication in collaboration with transplant centers and other Organ Procurement Organizations, ensuring timely response to requests, and quality documentation.
• Takes responsibility for scheduling, managing, and hosting family support groups (virtual and in-person).

Stakeholder Relations

• Engages with transplant centers through regular interaction with Transplant Social Workers.
• Works in collaboration with the Community Education and Social Media teams in planning, managing, and hosting events that include donor families/donor family volunteers.
• Works in collaboration with Hospital Development to provide hospital partners with clear understanding of Life Alliance’s donor family bereavement support.

Documentation and Data Management

• Ensures accurate and timely documentation of all family support interactions including, but not limited to, LAORAIS.
• Review completed donor family surveys aimed at gathering data to improve overall program performance.
• Provide database management support to donor family programs.
• Leads initiatives for HelpText and other similar donor family resources.

Other Requirements/Support

• Consistently demonstrate high-level skills in independent judgment and discretion when it comes to managing sensitive and complex situations.
• Plans, manages, ad hosts donor family related events on an annual basis to include the Donor Family Picnic and Donor Recognition Ceremony.
• Follows other instructions/directions and will perform other related duties as required by the
• needs of Life Alliance and leadership team.
• Participates in, and may lead, strategic planning workgroups.
• Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.

CORE QUALIFICATIONS                                                        

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent

Certification and Licensing:

Documented courses/programs in grief and bereavement counseling preferred.

Experience:

Minimum 3-5 years of relevant experience

Minimum 1-2 years of experience in a related field such as counseling, chaplaincy, or social work preferred.

Experience in a healthcare environment or related field is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes:

• Required to make decisions that affect core business operations and stakeholder relationships.
• Crisis intervention skills and a demonstrated ability to discern between grief issues and other life issues that merit referral to other resources are necessary.
• Skill in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail.
• Ability to analyze and assess situations and create solutions.
• Ability to process and handle confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to work evenings, nights, and weekends as necessary.
• Commitment to the University’s core values.
• Ability to work independently and/or in a collaborative environment.