Specialist, Birth Tissue Acquisition

Birth Tissue Acquisition Specialist

The Birth Tissue Acquisition Specialist is responsible for facilitating the birth tissue donation process, including donor screening, obtaining informed consent, coordinating tissue acquisition in compliance with regulatory standards and organizational procedures, and transportation of tissue to the BioTissue Facility. This role requires exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, as well as the ability to work independently while maintaining strong collaboration with hospitals, birth centers, and internal teams. Additionally, the specialist will support donor families through aftercare initiatives, including thank-you notes and gifts to mothers, and serve as an advocate for real-time education within the hospital and patient community.

Location: This position is based in Miami, Florida and will primarily support hospital coverage within the Mount Sinai Medical Center service area.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Receive initial notifications of potential birth tissue donors from referral sources.
• Present birth tissue donation options to potential donors in a sensitive and professional manner.
• Screen donors against established criteria, including obtaining informed consent and conducting donor risk assessment interviews.
• Facilitate maternal physical exam/attestation and ensure the completion of necessary documentation.
• Maintain open communication with the AOC (Administrator On Call), Donation Coordinators/Call Center Representatives, and MDs as necessary to facilitate the donation process.
• Collaborate with hospital staff or birth center personnel to coordinate acquisition processes, ensuring proper scheduling and communication.
• Perform birth tissue acquisition recovery per BioTissue protocol standards, ensuring all procedures are followed precisely.
• Demonstrate excellent aseptic technique during all acquisition processes.
• Adapt to fluctuating work sites and locations for acquisition needs across the designated service area, understanding that assignments may change based on organizational needs.
• Ensure the accurate and timely completion of all required documentation, adhering to FDA regulations, AATB standards, and HIPAA guidelines.
• Facilitate the collection and shipment of blood and culture samples, ensuring associated documentation is complete and accurate.
• Transport recovered tissue to the BioTissue facility in compliance with organizational protocols.
• Obtain Hospital and OB/GYN records to ensure a complete Donor Chart.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with hospital staff, ensuring a positive reputation for the organization within the medical community.
• Provide real-time education and advocacy to hospital staff, nursing teams, and patients about birth tissue donation.
• Collaborate with pathology teams to resolve issues and honor each gift appropriately.
• Monitor and maintain adequate inventory of acquisition supplies and equipment at designated sites.
• Collaborate with quality assurance and regulatory teams to ensure compliance with all quality standards.
• Use of personal vehicle to travel to various locations to support donation processes; additional travel up to 25% outside of the designated service area may be required.
• Maintain on-call availability as required.
• Work Holidays and weekends based on shift needs; shifts may include early start times and are not considered flexible.
• Participate in BioTissue meetings and work events as required.
• Promote birth tissue donation within the organization and community as necessary.

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent; Associate's degree in a healthcare-related field is preferred.
• Knowledge of medical terminology and good documentation practices.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn organizational information systems (e.g., iTransplant, hospital database systems).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
• Valid driver's license

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in healthcare environments such as medical records, surgery, or similar settings.
• Experience in eye and tissue banking.
• CTBS certification
• Proven ability to provide excellent customer service.
• Leadership skills with the ability to train and motivate staff.
• Highly preferred: Bilingual (fluent in Spanish, including reading and writing skills).

Physical and Mental Requirements:

• Frequently required to sit; occasionally required to stand, walk, reach, lift up to 25 pounds, and bend or twist.
• High level of concentration and mental effort, with the ability to handle prolonged periods of decision-making and problem-solving.
• Ability to adapt to changing environments and manage competing demands.

Competencies:

• Communication: Clear, persuasive oral and written communication; responsive to questions; edits and presents information effectively.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively and supports team success, balancing individual and team responsibilities.
• Motivation and Initiative: Sets and achieves challenging goals; demonstrates persistence and resourcefulness.
• Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves issues efficiently; gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Quality Focus: Maintains accuracy and thoroughness; seeks opportunities to improve processes and outcomes.
• Professionalism and Adaptability: Maintains composure under pressure; adapts to changing circumstances and unexpected events.

Work Environment:

• Moderate noise levels in typical hospital/office settings.
• Requires independent work under varying conditions and occasional urgent needs.
• Work sites may vary, including hospitals, birth centers, and other locations, and may change based on organizational needs.

Additional Information:

• Annual competency evaluations will be conducted to ensure continued proficiency and adherence to standards.