About Our Staff
Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
Clinical Transplant Social Worker Team
The transplant social worker has a Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW) as well as licensure in the State of New Jersey. He/she is specially trained in the psychological and social implications of transplantation as well as the effects of chronic illness on the individual and family. The social worker is prepared to assist the transplant candidate deal with the variety of stressors associated with the pre-transplant evaluation period, the hospitalization and the post-transplant period. The social worker has expertise in counseling, rehabilitation, advocacy and community resources as well as group work with transplant patients and families.
Transplant Nurse Coordinators
The nursing staff is divided into four areas covering the pre-transplant patient, hospitalization, the post-transplant period and the transplant research division. All of the nurses are Registered Nurses (RNs) with advanced degrees in nursing as well as extensive training and experience in transplantation.
Transplant Nurse Practitioners
The nurse practitioner/clinical nurse specialist has advanced education in the provision of comprehensive health care. In the Cooperman Barnabas Renal and Pancreas Transplant Center, this nursing professional provides care for patients in the outpatient transplant setting. The nurse practitioner provides integral care in the areas of post-operative assessment and treatment, diagnostic tests, wound care, weight monitoring, electrolyte balance and prevention of organ rejection. Nurse practitioners are licensed to perform physical examinations, order diagnostic studies, prescribe medications, and provide consultation and education.
Living Donor Institute Staff
The staff of the Living Donor Institute is dedicated to promoting living donation as the best transplant option for our patients with chronic kidney disease. The Institute streamlines patient care services related to living donation and transplantation for our patients.
Physicians Assistant
The Transplant Physicians Assistant practices as an independent care provider in collaboration with the transplant physicians, including the Chief of Transplant, primarily on the inpatient Renal and Transplant Unit and as requested in the Transplant Short Stay Unit and outpatient settings. Her/his practice is characterized by comprehensive health assessments and management of patients with acute and/or chronic renal disease. The Physicians Assistant shall have clinical responsibilities inclusive of transplant candidates, living donors, post-transplant patients and patients enrolled in research trials. He/she also obtains patient histories and performs physical examinations; writes admitting orders, routine orders and daily progress notes as indicated; and ensures continuity of care through effective communication and collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team in all areas of the transplant department.
The Registered Dietitian (RD) has extensive experience with the nutritional needs of renal and transplant patients. He/she works with the patient and the health care team throughout the continuum of transplantation (pre-transplant, inpatient and post-transplant) to assure optimal nutritional status.
Pharmacist
The pharmacist is responsible for the provision of pharmaceutical care to all patient age groups (including geriatric, adult, adolescent, pediatric and neonatal patients). They are responsible for the preparation, dispensing and monitoring of both the prescribing and effectiveness of all medications and I.V. admixtures.
Research Coordinators
The research coordinators oversee all clinical activities of the Transplant Research Division including patient screening, recruitment and case management following enrollment. They are responsible for review of research protocol, informed consent, IRB process, budget development, and contract negotiations. They also provide nursing care to patients in research protocols as well as coverage in the Transplant Clinic and Transplant Short Stay Unit as assigned.
Financial Coordinator
The financial coordinator assists the patient and family with matters related to insurance benefits, reimbursement and financial clearance for transplantation. He or she specializes in the complex state and federal regulations affecting renal patients and their ability to access necessary services. The financial coordinator works closely with the social worker in the assessment of each patient and family's unique financial needs in order to maximize benefits available.
Transplant Assistants
The transplant assistant assists the physicians and coordinators in the overall operations of the Transplant and Research Clinics. They are an active participant in patient care and may be responsible for taking blood pressures, vital signs, EKG's, drawing blood, and so forth, under the supervision of the physician. Other important functions of the medical assistant may include maintaining the order of the medical record, stocking medical supplies, preparing exam zooms, and assisting the patient with prescription refills.
Transplant Program Liaison
The Transplant Program Liaison is responsible for program development and community outreach. The Liaison cultivates relationships with referring nephrologists, dialysis units and professional organizations. Staff and patient education at dialysis units are facilitated through this position. The Liaison also develops, maintains and analyzes data of referral sources, assists with editing, writing and designs educational brochures, newsletter, and presentation and outreach materials. In addition, the Liaison coordinates patient and professional symposia and facilitates the Patient Ambassador Volunteer Program.
Support Staff
Support staff of the Renal and Pancreas Transplant Division include secretaries, billing and data entry clerks, administrative assistants and receptionists. Patent satisfaction throughout the process of transplantation is an over-riding goal. All of these staff members play a vital role in providing the highest quality of care and service to our patients.
Quality and Data Coordinator
The Quality and Data Coordinator is responsible for the collection and management of all center-specific data including clinical outcomes such as graft and patient survival, length of hospital stay and average waiting time for patients listed. She also collects, verifies, analyzes and presents clinical outcomes information for the Renal and Pancreas Transplant Division's quality processes and performance improvement plan. Responsibilities include reporting the required data to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), the federal agency responsible for transplantation in the US The Trans-Atlantic Renal Council; our regional End-Stage Renal Disease Network is also interested in center-specific data and requests periodic reports. She develops on-going performance improvement indicators together with industry benchmarks, monitors performance results and facilitates change in clinical/administrative protocols based on results. In addition, she ensures the accurate and timely documentation and presentation of all performance improvement initiatives, both on departmental and hospital-wide levels.