JOB DESCRIPTION – ORGAN PRESERVATION SPECIALIST I

Department: Recovery

Reports to: Manager of Organ Recovery Operations

Exemption Status: Non- Exempt

Work Schedule: Full-time or Casual

Job Location: Pittsburgh

OSHA Category: Clinical

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

POSITION SUMMARY

The position of Organ Preservation Specialist I for the Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) is one of moderate responsibility. They coordinate surgical recovery of organs and tissues from post-mortem donors. This position functions in the brain death pathway and donation after death (DCD) pathways and supports advanced recovery techniques, including normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) and rapid recovery with extended ultra-oxygenated preservation (REUP) procedures when applicable. OPS I collaborate with donor hospital operating room staff, recovering surgeons, transplant center teams, and CORE leadership to ensure timely recovery operations and adherence to regulatory requirements. The OPS I assists recovery teams with organ preservation support tasks, preservation processes, and preparation of organs for transport in accordance with OPTN standards and CORE policies and procedures. OPS I are trained to support and remain competent in CORE Consignment preservation devices utilized intraoperatively by recovering transplant center teams, including Paragonix SherpaPak, LUNGguard, LIVERguard, Traferox, and future preservation devices adopted by CORE. This role will be responsible for the recovery of tissue for transplant including but not limited to heart for valves, vertebral bodies, as well as research organs and tissues from post-mortem donors observing and adhering to FDA current Good Tissue Practices and AATB standards. They are responsible for the post-mortem care of local organ donors. They will also provide assistance to local transplant centers in delivery of imported organs, fly-out recoveries, and preservation during living organ donor cases.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY

The Organ Recovery Coordinator will be responsible for positively educating and interacting with health care professionals on the donation process. They will be responsible for participating in promoting a work environment that is safe-proof, injury free, and fire safe. They are responsible for demonstrating knowledge of current Good Tissue Practices (cGTP), OPTN policy, and operating within current CORE policies and procedures. They will manage preservation solutions, integrity of sterile equipment, and supplies specific to the donation activity. They will package, label, and verify donor information with every organ and/or tissue recovered for transplant or research with precision and urgency. They must have experience in electronic documentation applications and will be responsible for managing the OPTN electronic bar-coding organ labeling system (TransNet). They must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and are responsible for the promotion of a positive workplace that assures the success of the operations of CORE.

Casual Status Requirement:

An Organ Preservation Specialist I, who is Casual status, is responsible for providing current availability for schedules to the Manager of Organ Recovery Operations, as well as provide CORE with all current contact information (home phone and/or cell phone). They shall also be responsible for remaining current with all relevant CORE policy and procedures.