**Independent Living Donor Advocate (ILDA)** **Transplant Services** Baystate Health, a nationally recognized leader in healthcare quality and safety, is looking for a per diem Independent Living Donor Advocate in Springfield MA SCHEDULE: • per diem LOCATION: • Wason Ave • Springfield MA Baystate Health, western Massachusetts’ only academic center and tertiary care provider has a long and proud tradition of continuous learning and improvement. We educate and train hundreds of healthcare workers every year and advance knowledge about new approaches to care. At Baystate Health we know that treating one another with dignity and equity is what elevates respect for our patients and staff. We are committed to increasing diverse representation across our organization. Together our inspired and compassionate teams manage the whole health needs of all communities in need. Summary: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid published standards for Transplant Programs effective June 28, 2007. These standards require that a Living Donor Advocate is available to ensure the rights of all living donors and prospective living donors. The advocate is not a member of the recipient transplant team. CMS and the OPTN mandate the role of an ILDA to participate in the care of all prospective donors. The ILDA advocates for patient autonomy and readiness and a safeguard for aspects of informed consent unique to the living donor population. The living donor advocate will adhere to program policies and procedures and CMS and OPTN guidelines (ILDA requirements, ILDA qualifications, and training). Job Requirements: Patient Experience - the ILDA is available to the potential living donor throughout the process. Every potential living donor must be assigned to an ILDA prior to the initiation of the evaluation and throughout the donation phase. The ILDA will interview each potential living donor and provide contact information before the start of each evaluation and continuing to and through the discharge phase of care. As required by CMS, the ILDA will not participate in any transplant activities or quality initiatives and will solely be responsible for ensuring all potential living donors are entering into the evaluation of their own free will, being available to advocate and support throughout the process. The ILDA demonstrates knowledge of living organ donation, transplantation, medical ethics, informed consent, understanding of the potential impact of family and other external pressures on the prospective living donors' decision to donate, and the ability to discuss these issues with the donor. The ILDA documents in the medical record all interactions with the donor candidate, including the assessed level of understanding by the donor candidate during interactions. The ILDA is responsible for representing and advising the donor, protecting and promoting the donor's interests, respecting the donor's decision, and ensuring that the donor's decision is informed and free from coercion. The ILDA is primarily the representative of the donor candidate. There may be instances where the advocate/team advises the potential donor candidate where to seek additional information, encourages the candidate to ask pertinent questions, encourages the candidate to have further discussions with the family, or advises the donor candidate to delay the decision to donate at any point without reprisal if they choose. However, the advocate/team does not advise on a donation decision. All discussions and meetings between the potential donor candidate and the advocate/team must center upon the potential donor's needs, interests, and choices. These discussions must not address the needs of the potential recipient. If, at any point in the process, the donor changes his/her mind and decides not to donate, the advocate must support and intercede on behalf of the donor candidate is indicated. Qualifications: Associate's degree Minimally Required Experience: + Experience in Healthcare + Skills/Competencies: + Patient advocacy + Computer/technical skills, use of Microsoft Word + Interpersonal and effective communication skills + ability to self-direct learning and work + Accountable We strive to be the place where we can help you build the career you deserve – apply today – YOU belong at Baystate! OUR COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY We offer competitive total compensation that includes pay, benefits, and other recognition programs for our employees. The base pay range shown above considers the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including knowledge/skills; relevant experience and training; education/certifications/licensure; and other business and organizational factors. This base pay range does not include our comprehensive benefits package and any incentive payments that may be applicable to this role. **You Belong At Baystate** At Baystate Health we know that treating one another with dignity and equity is what elevates respect for our patients and staff. It makes us not just an organization, but also a community where you belong. It is how we advance the care and enhance the lives of all people. DIVERSE TEAMS. DIVERSE PATIENTS. DIVERSE LOCATIONS. **Education:** Associate of Arts (Required), Bachelor of Science **Certifications:** **Equal Employment Opportunity Employer** Baystate Health is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.