Tissue Recovery Coordinator I

 

The Tissue Recovery Coordinator responds to tissue recovery cases and provides technical support for all aspects of tissue recovery for transplant and research. The Tissue Recovery Coordinator is responsible for the intraoperative leadership of the recovery team and communication to a team of other medical professional, including hospital personnel, funeral home staff and coroner or medical examiner professionals. To this audience they are the operative expert for the tissue recovery process. The Tissue Recovery Coordinator performs other clinical support related responsibilities during their scheduled shift on an as needed basis.

Arrives to work and is clocked in ready to work at the start of assigned shift. Required to have a sense of urgency for a clinical event and evaluate timeframes of recovery needs. 

Responsible for accurately and thoroughly reviewing donor authorization and ensuring proper identification of the donor and tissue(s) authorized for recovery. Additionally able to review the donor medical history to the same standard as documented in the hospital chart, electronic donor record and the Uniform Donor Risk Assessment Interview (UDRAI). Obtains medical records and/or diagnostic samples from the hospital for clinical events as needed.

Assembles required supplies for tissue recovery and effectively utilizes the material management inventory system maintaining accurate levels of inventory. Responsible for duties associated with maintaining the Recovery Suite including, but not limited to, cleaning, inventory control, receiving deliveries, etc.

Performs blood draw or collects specimens and completes the preparation steps for surgical dissection of tissue(s). Effectively performs the surgical recovery of skin and adipose. Demonstrates annual proficiency of those recovery skills. Performs a thorough reconstruction of donor following the recovery of tissue.

Performs and verifies packaging and labeling of specimens and tissues recovered for testing, research, and/or transplant. Facilitates the timely shipping of diagnostic samples, tissues, and medical records to appropriate laboratories and processors.

Appropriately coordinates time management on the tissue recovery donor event with assigned tissue recovery coordinator peers. Consistently demonstrates a strong attention to details, excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Required to establish and maintain a basic knowledge of medical terminology, general anatomy, and disease processes. Reviews policies, procedures and trainings as directed to aid in the learning process prior to effective/due dates. Attends and actively participates in departmental and organization meetings.

Required to learn and maintain basic knowledge of federal, state, and industry laws/regulations related to tissue practices including those of all tissue processors, AATB, OSHA, EBAA, and FDA.

Trains staff in tissue recovery techniques that the coordinator is deemed proficient in, including ability to explain anatomical and technical concepts/terms.

Ability to read and comprehend patient charts.

Sets and meets realistic goals and deadlines.

Maintains professionalism and poise in stressful, complex, and continuously changing situations. Consistently exhibits a high standard of integrity and ethical behavior, resolving conflicts in an open, direct and appropriate manner.

Basic knowledge of the inter-relationships of departments and services provided by DNWest.

Performs additional tasks as needed to support donation such as, but is not limited to: Donor Operations, Quality, Data, and Donor Information.

 

• Supports the vision, mission, and values of DNWest in every aspect of performance.
• Achieves strategic initiatives by providing constructive feedback and offering solutions to workplace challenges or obstacles.
• Foresees challenges, is proactive and uses sound judgement and best practices when solving problems and making decisions.
• Conducts work in a professional and collaborative manner and provides excellent customer service.
• Positively adapts to change, supports new initiatives, and is creative/innovative.
• Demonstrates emotional intelligence by having respectful interactions that bring about productive communication.
• Partners with internal and external contacts in a constructive manner to achieve goals.
• Collaborates with leadership and peers to set professional and personal development goals; and actively works to achieve them.
• Works in a safe, secure, legal, and professional manner in the workplace.
• Adheres to DNWest’s policies and code of conduct.

• Excellent organizational and time management skills; ability to function independently and collaboratively. Demonstrated problem-solving and creative thinking skill and well-developed personal stress management skills.
• Ability to operate telephones, computers, and surgical equipment.
• Ability to clearly and effectively speak and communicate to accurately convey information to internal DNWest staff, hospital staff, processing partners, and others involved in the donation process. Ability to establish and maintain relationships with these individuals.
• Ability to handle exposure to emotionally intense situations like death, grief and the death process on a regular basis that includes pediatric and adult donors. Some scenarios surrounding death and donation may be of traumatic nature.
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license in accordance with DNWest motor vehicle policy. Must have reliable personal automobile transportation to be used with company reimbursement using IRS guidelines. Employee may be required to drive personal vehicle while functioning in the role. Must be able to travel within the service area by ground or air. 
• Ability to work minimum of a 12-hour shift, with the requirement of staying past shift when required by donor volume and staffing, with few breaks. The department schedule may change over time to meet staffing needs for tissue recovery. The schedule includes 7, 12-hr shifts per pay period. The employee is required to work weekends (defined as Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), nights and holidays. Holiday requirement includes work on 5 holiday shifts per calendar year.
• Ability to handle confidentiality of all donor/recipient information.
• Maintains recovery performance metrics that are consistent with department goals.

• Associate degree in biological sciences/allied healthcare/ mortuary science, or completion of a surgical technology program, or an emergency medical services program.
• 2 years of work experience in a related field may be substituted for educational requirement.
• Must maintain a valid California or Nevada driver’s license and current vehicle insurance based on applicable state minimum insurance coverage standards.
• Certified Tissue Banking Specialist (CTBS), or Certified Eye Banking Specialist (CEBT), or Certified Surgical Technologist preferred (CST).
• Hospital/clinical experience; tissue recovery experience; previous experience with sterile technique and surgical procedures preferred.