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The Independent Living Donor Advocate (ILDA) advocates for and protects the rights of living donors and prospective living donors. The ILDA functions independently from the Transplant Team in terms of a reporting relationship, and is not involved with the evaluation of, the care for, or the decision making regarding the potential recipient. The goal of the ILDA is to recognize and avoid conflict of interests in living kidney donation, protect and promote the interests of the living donor, and ensure the donor's decision is informed and free from pressure or coercion.

1. Attends informational sessions with the donor and creates opportunities for the living donor to discuss issues, ask additional questions, or request follow-up information.
2. Ensures that any discussions with a prospective donor occur in a setting that is apart from the transplant recipient and other transplant program staff involved with the recipient.
3. Ensures that the donor has an opportunity to discuss the topics below, confirms donor understanding, and addresses any donor questions or follow-up requests for information in the following areas:
a. Informed consent process
b. Any family or external pressures that affect the prospective living donor's decision about whether to donate;
c. The living organ donation process (e.g., donor evaluation, donation surgery, and post-donation recovery), potential complications, and general recovery from the surgery;
d. Surgical procedure
e. Medical and psychosocial risks
f. Financial aspects of living donation
g. Various options for the recipient other than an organ donation from a living donor; and
h. Follow-up requirements and the benefit and need for participating in follow-up
4. Attends the Living Donor Selection Committee Meeting.
5. Maintains confidentiality of the communication between the donor and the transplant program.

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

1. Bachelor's degree.
2. Knowledge of medical ethics and informed consent
3. Understanding of the potential impact of family and other outside pressures on donor decision with the ability to discuss these issues with the donor.
4. Ability to discuss options for the recipient other than organ donation from a living donor.
5. Knowledge of national and HMH outcomes.
6. Knowledgeable with HMH chain of command.
7. Knowledge of grievance process.
8. Excellent skills to communicate and interact effectively with all levels of staff, physicians, patients and external constituents, both verbally and in writing. Must have proven independent thinking, decision making, problem solving and prioritizing skills.

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred:

1. Bilingual English/Spanish.
2. Previous experience working in a transplant center, social worker or nurse.
3. Knowledge of organ transplantation and living kidney donation.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

1. Approved ILDA continuing education.