The Role of the Transplant Coordinator

Abstract

Transplant programs are required to have at least one Clinical Transplant Coordinator, to coordinate the care of transplant candidates throughout all phases of transplant care. The Coordinator’s specific role will vary, depending on the structure of the transplant program, with some managing patients from the beginning of the transplant evaluation through long-term post-transplant follow-up, and others being limited to a specific transplant phase. Additionally, depending on the size of the program, some Transplant Coordinators will manage the evaluation and care of live donors, in addition to transplant candidates/recipients, while others will focus on either donors or recipients. However, regardless of these differences that exist between transplant programs, Transplant Coordinators provide continuity of care for patients, and serve as a liaison between the various members of the multidisciplinary team. The different aspects of the Clinical Transplant Coordinator’s role throughout all phases of transplant care are discussed, including the care of the live donor.