Organ Recovery Coordinator

Organ Recovery Coordinator

The Organ Recovery Coordinator is responsible for the surgical and preservation portion of the donation process by providing organ preservation services for local and non-local organ recoveries to maximize organ viability. Oversees the organ recovery process in the operating room including, aiding surgeons during recovery, preservation of organs using perfusion machines, recovery of tissues and organs for transplant and research, and documenting and communicating information throughout the donation process. Coordinates the acceptance and recovery of organs for research. Align daily activities with the strategic and operational goals of the organization.

Essential Functions and Performance Responsibilities:

• Participate in an on-call schedule. Requires regular on-call availability of ten (10) 24-hour shifts per month or thirty (30) shifts in a 12-week period. 12 weekend shifts worked per 12-week period (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). As a general rule, back to back 24 hours shifts are not allowed. Schedule includes weekends and holidays. At peak times, may be called to provide assistance when not scheduled.
• Operate within a sterile environment to assist surgical team in recovery and packaging of organs.
• Handle instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary during the surgical procedure for organ donation.
• Facilitate recovery of research organs and tissue grafts in the operating room according to policies and procedures.
• Document concurrent and accurate information in iTransplant and the OPTN organ tracking system throughout the organ and tissue donation process.
• Place kidneys on perfusion machine and monitor and attend to perfusion machine while an organ is perfusing.
• Communicate and interact with transplant surgeons to provide information pertinent to the perfusion and preservation of organs.
• Coordinate allocation of research organs; making offers to research partners and documenting acceptance status.
• Assist local transplant teams at donor hospitals throughout the United States by facilitating transportation, providing coordination of recovery process, and packaging and labeling of organ.
• Serve as organizational expert regarding recovery and preservation of organs and demonstrate competency in essential job functions.
• Participate in department meetings, educational activities, quality assurance initiative and required training as assigned beyond call shift expectations.
• Assist in clinical supply management and maintenance of core area at office.
• Maintains an awareness of advancements in the field of organ recovery and preservation through the attendance continuing educational opportunities.

Position Qualifications and Education Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree in health sciences or equivalent field of study with a minimum one (1) year of clinical work experience required.
• Strong knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy required.
• Aseptic/sterile technique execution and strong working knowledge of operating room etiquette preferred.
• Certified Transplant Preservationist and/or prior donation experience preferred.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to meet the requirements of a variable and demanding call schedule.
• Ability to work beyond shift end time in period of high case activity, due to flyout, and/or to travel back to home office from hospital.
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment.
• Ability to be an independent contributor in the operating room. Entails self-direction, ability to function autonomously, establish priorities and work effectively with both internal and external teams.
• Demonstrate problem solving and creative thinking skills.
• Excellent time management and organization skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Effectively communicate both verbally and in writing when representing IDN.

Physical Requirements:

• Duties of the position require travel or onsite response to execute essential job functions required in the facilitation of the donation process.
• Must receive required vaccines based on outlined schedules to protect our employees, healthcare personnel, donors, recipients, and families we may come into contact. (e.g., Influenza obtained annually by December 1st.)
• Maintain a current valid driver's license and be insurable through IDN's insurance.
• Respond to call/page within 10 minutes and arrive to office within one hour of call or as assigned.
• Lift equipment and supplies weighing 50 lbs and occasionally up to 75 lbs.
• Stand for long periods of time in an operating room.
• Use of sharp surgical instruments which may cause damage or injury if used incorrectly.
• Exposure to biohazardous material such as blood, other body fluids, communicable diseases and pharmacological agents. Standard/universal precautions and use of personal protective equipment is required.
• Travel to the office and donor hospitals via ground or air throughout the state of Iowa and the United States at any given hour of the day or night.
• Drive a vehicle under various weather and physical conditions that may lead to visual and mental fatigue.
• Stooping, kneeling, reaching, and handling (seizing, holding, grasping, turning or otherwise working with hands).
• Express ideas verbally and convey detailed or important spoken information.
• Receive detailed information through oral and auditory communication.

Organizational Responsibilities:

• It is required that IDN employees demonstrate commitment to the mission and vision, maintain effective communication, exhibit teamwork, respect diversity, follow policies and procedures, maintain confidentiality of all donor, recipient and organizational information, demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness while meeting productivity standards, observe safety and security procedures, be consistently punctual and dependable, actively participate in performance improvement activities and continually demonstrate behavioral expectations and core values.
• Employee's obligation to maintain the confidentiality of information shall survive the termination of employee's employment with IDN.
• All requirements are subject to modifications to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.