Critical Care RN - Organ Procurement Coordinator

Mid-America Transplant, a nationally recognized nonprofit focused on saving lives through organ donation and transplantation, is hiring for a Critical Care RN - Organ Procurement Coordinator in Saint Louis, Missouri. This is a full-time, onsite position that blends direct donor care with the coordination of organ allocation across hospitals and transplant centers. If you’re drawn to complex clinical work and meaningful teamwork that spans communities, this role could be a strong fit.

The Organ Procurement Coordinator acts as the bridge between clinical donor management and the logistics of organ distribution, working with clinicians across the country to maximize the impact of every donation. The role is based in Saint Louis and requires being onsite, with a focus on both patient care and the orchestration of procurement activities. It’s ideal for someone who wants to make a tangible difference in lives while collaborating with diverse teams under high-stakes conditions.

If you’re energized by critical care, enjoy fast-paced coordination, and want to support donor families and recipients alike, you’ll likely feel at home here.

Day-to-day rhythm in organ procurement

In this role, you’ll split your time between direct donor management and the orchestration of organ allocation. About a quarter of the day is dedicated to clinical donor management, where you autonomously oversee brain-dead donors at the facility, tracking lab values, guiding hemodynamics, and managing ventilation to keep organs viable. You’ll perform essential procedures such as bronchoscopies, central line placements, and liver biopsies to assess and optimize organ function. You’ll also care for DCD donors inside partner hospital facilities, coordinating with hospital staff to optimize organs for transplantation.

The remaining work centers on allocation and logistics. You’ll oversee organ distribution in alignment with UNOS and Mid-America Transplant policies, maintain close collaboration with transplant centers and surgeons, and coordinate operating room times while serving as a key conduit of information during procurement procedures. This blend of patient-facing clinical duties and cross-team coordination is the core of the role.

A profile of the right experience and skills

• Must-have: a registered nurse license with either two or more years in emergency care or at least one year in an intensive care unit
• Must-have: comfort with clinical equipment and electronic medical records, and the ability to navigate clinical software systems
• Must-have: a proactive drive to learn new skills and a willingness to work in a setting that’s totally new to you
• Must-have: outstanding communication and organizational abilities, plus the capacity to make critical decisions under pressure
• Must-have: BLS or ACLS certification; PALS and CCRN are considered pluses

• Nice-to-have: diverse ICU experience

Pay, benefits and practical details

The schedule runs on weekday nights, with fourteen 12-hour on-call shifts within a 28-day cycle, including Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays every fourth weekend. In return, the organization offers a comprehensive benefits package. You’ll have a health insurance premium option at zero out-of-pocket cost for single coverage, eligible from day one, plus a 401(k) plan with up to a 5% employer match starting the first day of the month after you begin, and an additional 9% contribution after one year. The package also includes paid life insurance equal to four times your salary, paid long-term disability, and various bonuses for orientation completion, ongoing performance after one year, and a clinical ladder that enhances earning potential. An annual incentive plan and tuition reimbursement are also part of the offerings.

Advice for applicants

Lead with your clinical chops. Put your ER experience or ICU time up front on your resume, and call out any exposure to donor care or critical procedures that align with this role’s 25% clinical management focus.

Show how you prove you can handle the must-have skills. Cite concrete examples of navigating EMRs and device use, managing labs and patient physiology, and making rapid decisions in high-pressure situations.

Prepare for interviews by describing a time you collaborated with hospital staff, surgeons, and allocation bodies to optimize donor organ viability, and explain how you would coordinate OR times in time-sensitive scenarios.

Ask a targeted question that reflects the job’s realities, such as how the team interfaces with UNOS policies and hospital partners to maximize organ allocation and maintain clear lines of communication during procurement.