Our team members are the heart of what makes us better. At Hackensack Meridian Health we help our patients live better, healthier lives — and we help one another to succeed. With a culture rooted in connection and collaboration, our employees are team members. Here, competitive benefits are just the beginning. It’s also about how we support one another and how we show up for our community. Together, we keep getting better - advancing our mission to transform healthcare and serve as a leader of positive change.

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.

HMH is committed to pay equity and transparency for our team members. The posted rate of pay in this job posting is a reasonable good faith estimate of the minimum base pay for this role at the time of posting in accordance with the New Jersey Pay Transparency Act and does not reflect the full value of our market-competitive total rewards package. The starting rate of pay is provided for informational purposes only and is not a guarantee of a specific offer. Posted hourly rates may be stated as an annual salary in the offer and posted annual salaries may be stated as an hourly rate in the offer, depending on the level and nature of the job duties and credentials of the candidate. The base compensation determined at the time of the offer may be different than the posted rate of pay based on a number of non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to: Labor Market Data: Compensation is benchmarked against market data to ensure competitiveness. Experience: Years of relevant work experience. Education and Certifications: Level of education attained, including specialized certifications, credentials, completed apprenticeship programs or advanced training. Skills: Demonstrated proficiency in relevant skills and competencies. Geographic Location: Cost of living and market rates for the specific location. Internal Equity: Compensation is determined in a manner consistent with compensation ranges for similar roles within the organization. Budget and Grant Funding: Departmental budgets and any grant funding associated with the job position may impact the pay that can be offered. Some jobs may also be eligible for performance-based incentives, bonuses, or commissions not reflected in the starting rate. Certain positions may also be eligible for shift differentials for work performed on evening, night, or weekend shifts. In addition to our compensation for full-time and part-time (20+ hours/week) job positions, HMH offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits.