General Summary

When working on organ cases the Surgical Recovery Specialist ensures the operating room is set up with sufficient and appropriate materials and supplies, sets up back table with required containers, packaging, tubing, solutions and maintains a sterile field.  Perfuses, prepares and packages organs with appropriate tissue typing per regulatory requirements. Responsible for the recovery of organs for research. Assists with post-mortem care.  Assists with training new recovery staff.  

When working on tissue cases the Surgical Recovery Specialist assess, preps and performs tissue recovery, packaging and labeling of tissues using sterile technique according to accrediting agencies and processors standards. Responsible for all regulatory compliance pertaining to tissue donation.  

This position requires 24-hour on-call status and is required to work extended periods, including 24-hour and overnight shifts. Responsible for timely compliance with all Network programs and policies.  

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

Organ Donation:

• Packs supplies for case as appropriate for organs being recovered.
• Prepares the operating room for organ recovery.   Provides necessary supplies in sufficient quantities, ensures sterile technique is used pre and post recovery and is accountable for equipment retrieval.  
• Sets up back table with required containers, packaging, tubing and solutions.
• Works with hospital staff to ensure proper room set up and supplies present.
• Prepares body for organ recovery, including photos for the medical examiner.
• Responsible for the perfusion, packaging and labeling of organs and tissue typing materials.   
• May recover organs for research.
• Assists in post mortem care. 
• May accompany local transplant teams on organ import fly/drive outs. 
• May participate in paired kidney exchanges for packaging and labeling of the organs. 
• May prepare kidney pumps, cannulate and place kidneys on the pump. Monitor and ice kidneys on the pumps. Transports kidneys on pump to and from transplant centers.  
• Assists with transport of organs and transplant teams.   

Tissue Donation:

• Packs supplies for case according to the appropriate processor. 
• Assists with performing a physical assessment. Assesses donor’s tissue for suitability and communicates any concerning findings with Team Lead.
• Prepares, moves and/or lifts donor to and from the OR table bone, soft tissue, skin, heart valve and saphenous vein recovery.  Completes surgical recovery of tissue.  
• Prepares back table with required containers and packaging, Receives and cultures tissue. Packages tissue per processor SOP’s. Able to perform all back table responsibilities.
• Follows all regulatory requirements, standards, and policies and procedures set forth by FDA, AATB, and NJ Sharing Network and any other regulatory or accrediting agency.
• Assists in post mortem care. Responsible for cleaning of operating room after surgical recovery is completed. 
• Returns supplies to the appropriate location upon returning of the office and performs post case responsibilities.
• May be trained for Tissue Team Lead responsibilities.

General Functions:

• Performs office duties as assigned which may include but not be limited to preparing trays for sterilization, disposal of medical waste and courier functions.  May be cross trained in other areas as needed. 
• Attends mandatory full staff, clinical and team meetings to facilitate development and implementation of successful best practices. 
• Performs Kidney Biopsy Telepathology functions: 

        a) Communicates with clinical staff, pathologists and transplant center staff for biopsy preparation and interpretation. 

        b) Prepares and dissects frozen sections of organ tissue. 

        c) Measures, scans, and provides microscopic views of frozen sections for a pathologist’s interpretation.

        d) Assures proper use of upload and report writing in the biopsy software.

        e) Assures proper use of the cryostat and camera equipment.

        f) Assures appropriate clean up and disposal activities according to regulatory and organizational requirements

• May be cross trained in other areas as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned based on training, expertise, and Clinical needs.

Education and Experience: 

• High School degree or equivalent is required. 
• One to two years of experience with tissue surgical recovery or organ perfusion, or as a surgical technician, is required.
• Encouraged to take the Certified Transplant Perfusionist (CTP) or Certified Tissue Bank Specialist (CTBS) certification. 
• Valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record as verified by motor vehicle report required, and must meet insurability standards under the organization’s vehicle insurance policy. 

Pay Range: 

Salary: $60,615.00 - $97,000.00

This salary range is based on our market pay structures. Individual compensation is determined by various factors, including but not limited to business needs, local market conditions, internal equity, and candidate qualifications such as skills, licenses, certifications, education, and experience.

Benefits Package: 

NJ Sharing Network offers eligible employees a competitive benefits package including medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts (FSA); an employee assistance program (EAP); life and disability insurance; paid time off for vacation, sick days, and company-recognized holidays; a 401(k) plan; tuition reimbursement; a transit program; and much more.

You must currently possess valid and unrestricted U.S. work authorization to be considered for this role. Individuals with temporary visas including, but not limited to, F-1 (OPT,CPT,STEM), H-1B, H-2, or TN, or any candidate requiring sponsorship, now or in the future, will not be considered for this role.

New Jersey Organ and Tissue Sharing Network (NJ Sharing Network) is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age. sex/gender (including pregnancy), marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, familial status, religion, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, or disability or any other class protected by Federal, State or Local laws.