JOB SUMMARY

The Organ Preservationist assists in the recovery, preservation, and perfusion of organs and tissues for transplantation or research. The incumbent also ensures a constant state of readiness of supplies, solutions, and machines, maintains the preservation lab, develops and maintains hospital relations, and provides donation-related education to OR staff.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Duty or Function
1. Performs aseptic organ preservation by flushing abdominal organs with appropriate solution, packaging and labeling organs, tissue typing material and vessels in accordance with OPTN Policy. Assists hospital staff in preparing the operating room for organ recovery.
2. Performs hospital development, specific to the recovery of organs in the operating room, by maintaining relationships with OR staff and through in-services, education, presentations, and meetings.
3. Maintains all preservation supplies and mechanical preservation equipment in accordance Life Connection of Ohio Policy, regulatory standards, and manufacturer guidelines.
4. Performs aseptic kidney pumping/pulsatile perfusion following kidney separation by a surgeon. Performs aseptic surgical recovery of organs and tissues for research.
5. Obtains culture and biopsy results; reports positive and final results to transplant centers and recovery partners; performs other duties as required

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Education
Completion of a Surgical Technologist, ER Technologist or EMT program required; certification preferred.
Experience in the tissue or organ recovery industry or two years of experience in the allied health field required.

Experience
Two or more years of operating room experience and/or sterile technique preferred.
Organ perfusion and previous on-call experience preferred.

Skills and Abilities
Arm-Hand Steadiness -- The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Manual Dexterity -- The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Finger Dexterity -- The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
Strong computer and data entry skills, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Internet.
Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills, which demonstrate good judgment.
Sensitivity and a high degree of confidentiality required.

Licenses or Certificates
Certified Surgical Technologist preferred
Certified Transplant Preservationist (CTP) required within 18 months of start date.

SUPERVISION

Reports directly to the Manager of AOCs and Preservationist

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None

WORKING CONDITIONS

Working Environment
Job is performed in a clean, temperature-controlled, indoor environment with little exposure to fumes, dust, loud noise, etc. Exposure to some high risk elements defined under CDC and OSHA guidelines. This position requires significant on-call duties and travel within the designated service area.

Physical Requirements
Reasonable accommodations will be made for some physical demands for otherwise qualified individuals who require and request such accommodations.

Physical Demands
Incumbent is required to stand, walk, push, pull, sit, twist, reach overhead, and bend to the floor.
Requires manual dexterity for use of hands and wrists.

Visual Demands
Incumbent is required to view computer screen for extended periods of time; must be able to discern colors. Requires normal near and far vision, corrected.

Hearing Demands
Incumbent receives information through oral communication and communicates via telephone.

Speaking Demands
Incumbent exchanges ideas by means of the spoken word; must convey detailed, spoken instruction to others accurately and quickly.

Mental Demands
Incumbent will have pressure to meet deadlines, read and comprehend at a level necessary to perform essential job functions, work harmoniously and effectively as part of a work team, and sometimes overcome obstacles to perform adequately.

Travel Demands
Typically required to travel by personal vehicle, LCO vehicle, rental car, light charter aircraft, or commercial aircraft in order to meet all of the essential functions.
Incumbent must maintain a current Ohio driver’s license and a safe driving record in accordance with current insurance provider or be able to independently travel within LCO’s service area.