[kiss04bam]

I want to work with organ transplant patients. Is there such a title? I would like to be in the surgery room also if possible, and help with retrieving the organ to and from the correct location. What sort of schooling would I need? Is this available in all states to do? Thanks!

[traumaRUs]

Organ procurement? Usually, they are employed by the organ procurement organization (in IL, its Gift of Hope). Different states operate differently though.

[JunebugRN28]

I would recommend looking at bigger hospitals as they are likely to perform transplants. Where I work we have a few units: solid organ, which is a general floor for stable transplant patients (kidney, liver); we also have a heart and lung transplant unit (which is an ICU). Finally, there is BMT (bone marrow transplant). Also, some patients require time in the ICU before/after transplant. It seems that you get the chance to know your patients on these units and a lot of education is crucial for these patients. I am not sure how the OR works, but I am assuming that you can be an OR nurse working with the team that performs transplants. Good luck! I hope you find what you are looking for.

[kiss04bam]

Thanks!

[RN82]

Look into OPOs (Organ Procurement Organizations) in your state. They all branch off of UNOS (United Network of Organ Sharing). The job title you're looking for might be called "Organ Recovery Coordinator" or something similar. In essence, when brain death is declared, and the OPO is called, a social worker will come and obtain consent from the family for organ recovery. Once consent is obtained, as the coordinator, you go to the hospital, and work as a liasion between the patient, hospital staff, and transplant teams - often clinically managing the patient up to and through the recovery in the OR. Hope this helps!

[Pineapple devil]

RN first assistant is the position you want to be hands on in removing and replacing the organs