New Hire Orientation
Welcome to the Honor Talk New Hire Orientation Course, designed to prepare donation professionals to serve families and hospital partners with confidence, compassion, and purpose. Through real-world guidance and practical strategies, you will explore each stage of the donation journey and understand the important role you play. You will develop communication skills that build trust, honor each donor’s legacy, and create meaningful experiences—regardless of the donation outcome. By the end of this course, you will have the knowledge and tools needed to approach this work with greater clarity, consistency, and care.
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Hospital Referrals
Learn how, when, and why hospitals refer patients to their local Organ Procurement Organization to ensure every potential opportunity for donation is appropriately evaluated.
Learn how, when, and why hospitals refer patients to their local Organ Procurement Organization to ensure every potential opportunity for donation is appropriately evaluated.
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Bedside Check-in
The Bedside Check-In section provides a practical, step-by-step process for connecting with the patient’s care team upon arrival.
The Bedside Check-In section provides a practical, step-by-step process for connecting with the patient’s care team upon arrival.
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Donation After Cardiac Death (DCD)
Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) provides an opportunity for organ donation after a patient’s heart and circulation have permanently stopped following the planned withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment.
Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) provides an opportunity for organ donation after a patient’s heart and circulation have permanently stopped following the planned withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment.
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Donation After Brain Death
Donation after Brain Death provides an opportunity for organ donation after a patient has been formally declared dead based on the irreversible loss of all functions of the entire brain, including the brainstem.
Donation after Brain Death provides an opportunity for organ donation after a patient has been formally declared dead based on the irreversible loss of all functions of the entire brain, including the brainstem.
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Family Assessment
The Family Assessment focuses on learning as much as possible about the patient, their life, and the people who are making decisions about their care.
The Family Assessment focuses on learning as much as possible about the patient, their life, and the people who are making decisions about their care.
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MD Communication
The MD Communication module explains what information to share, when to engage the patient’s attending physician, and how to establish a collaborative plan for end-of-life discussions.
The MD Communication module explains what information to share, when to engage the patient’s attending physician, and how to establish a collaborative plan for end-of-life discussions.
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Donation Discussion
The Donation Discussion module focuses on building deep, meaningful, and compassionate connections with families navigating the dying and death process.
The Donation Discussion module focuses on building deep, meaningful, and compassionate connections with families navigating the dying and death process.
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Memory Making
The Memory Making module explores meaningful ways to personalize the patient’s room, honor their life, and create lasting keepsakes for loved ones.
The Memory Making module explores meaningful ways to personalize the patient’s room, honor their life, and create lasting keepsakes for loved ones.
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Ongoing Family Communication
The Ongoing Family Communication module reinforces that supporting and communicating with the family is every OPO team member’s responsibility.
The Ongoing Family Communication module reinforces that supporting and communicating with the family is every OPO team member’s responsibility.
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What You'll Learn
Build ConfidenceDevelop the confidence to communicate with donor families, physicians, hospital partners, and colleagues during emotionally complex situations. Learn how to remain calm, present, and compassionate while guiding important conversations.
Learn New ApproachesExplore family-centered communication techniques that strengthen trust and connection. Learn how to prepare for, begin, and conclude donation discussions in ways that leave families feeling respected and supported—regardless of the outcome.
Gain Practical ToolsReceive practical conversation frameworks, preparation guides, assessment strategies, checklists, and communication tools you can immediately apply in the field. These resources will help you remain organized, collaborate effectively, and provide consistent support throughout the donation journey.