Organ Preservation Specialist

Major Responsibilities:

• Acts as a resource to donor hospital representatives and staff in the donation and transplantation process by maintaining ongoing communication.
• Collaborates with the transplant team, including coordinator(s), surgeon(s), and other healthcare professionals to facilitate the organ procurement and preservation process.
• May assist physician in the operative procedure for organ procurement from living and postmortem donors, both at the donor site and recipient site as needed.
• Conducts all supply preparations for pending organ procurements, maintaining adequate levels of all organ procurement supplies. Ensures all necessary supplies are transported to the donor institution. Prepares portable equipment utilized in organ procurement to ensure proper operation during procurement procedure.
• May conduct specific organ procurement and preservation through the utilization of the organ preservation pump to ensure appropriate perfusion and preservation of procured organ(s)prior to transplantation.
• Communicates and collaborate with the transplant team to coordinate essential timelines, including acceptability of the donor organ and time needed for transplant for the excision of the organs, and the anticipated return of the procurement team.
• Participates in the perfusion and preservation of the organ at the time of excision.
• Collaborates with the transplant team to ensure all necessary supplies are transported to the donor institution. Promotes an understanding of the organ recovery process and utilization.
• Reviews all supply invoices and bills for accuracy and notifies Director of any issues or discrepancies.
• Ensures all medical and legal requirements are met prior to recovery of organ(s). Acts as a representative of the Aurora Health Care when at recovery sites, interacting with staff at various recovery locations.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA), and
• Surgical Technologist (CST) certification issued by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) needs to be obtained within 12 months unless department leader has determined it is not required, and
• Surgical First Assist (CSFA) certification issued by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) needs to be obtained within 12 months unless department leader has determined it is not required, or
• Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) issued by the National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA) needs to be obtained within 12 months unless department leader has determined it is not required.

Education Required:

• Advanced training beyond High School that includes the completion of an accredited or approved program in Surgical Technology.

Experience Required:

• Typically requires 2 years of experience in a Surgical Technologist or Surgical Assistant position.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Demonstrates knowledge of advanced anatomy and organ recovery skills.
• Advanced knowledge and skill in major operative surgical specialties performed.
• l Advanced knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and potential complications for procedures performed.
• l Demonstrated ability to remove skin staples and wound drains.
• Advanced knowledge and skill of aseptic surgical techniques used in the preparation of materials, supplies and equipment for various surgical procedures and suturing.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate and recognize Physician's needs and changes that requires unplanned or unanticipated interventions, and responds appropriately.
• Remain current with ongoing computer based learning modules as assigned.
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Basic computer proficiency.
• Certification Addendum
• Team members will maintain annual educational requirements for hospital based certifications (e.g. DNV, CARF or others).

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Assumes 24 hour on call responsibilities to facilitate donor recoveries for the transplant program.
• Must be able to stand 100% of the time during recovery.
• Must be able to:
• lift up to 50 lbs from floor to waist.
• lift up to 20 lbs over the head.
• carry up to 40 lbs a reasonable distance.
• Must be able to:
• push/pull with 30 lbs of force.
• perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs with a second person present.
• May be exposed to blood and body fluids during recoveries thus protective clothing must be worn as appropriate.
• May be exposed to weather, road or other hazards when traveling to other hospitals via small aircraft, ambulance, taxi, van service and/or personal vehicle.
• Operates all equipment essential in performing the job.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.