Surgical Coordinator - Tissue Recovery

LifeLink Foundation; Guaynabo (PR); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company-paid health, dental, and life

Pension plan

Paid vacation, sick days & holidays

Job summary

LifeLink Foundation is seeking a Surgical Coordinator - Tissue Recovery to lead tissue recovery operations, screen referrals, and ensure compliance with AATB and FDA standards. The role requires a Surgical Technician OR ORT certification, CTBS, and bilingual English/Spanish capabilities.

You will supervise per diem staff, manage procurement logistics, and participate in ongoing training and QA activities to support donor tissue quality and patient outcomes.

Qualifications

• Must have Surgical Technician OR ORT Certification and CTBS certification.
• Fully bilingual (English/Spanish) written and verbal.
• Ability to stand for long periods and handle lifting of equipment up to 250 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Supervise per diem recovery staff and ensure compliance with Tissue Bank policies.
• Perform aseptic recovery of human tissue for transplantation and document procedures.
• Oversee procurement logistics and staff scheduling for tissue recovery operations.
• Maintain equipment, supplies, and room conditions; ensure QA documentation is complete.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Analytical thinking

Education

Surgical Technician OR ORT Certification

CTBS Certification

Tools

iTransplant

Job description

Join LifeLink — Join a Life Saving Team!

About LifeLink

More than four decades ago, a visionary group of innovators, led by renowned nephrologist Dr. Dana Shires, made a life-changing commitment—to save lives through organ and tissue donation. From that bold beginning, LifeLink Foundation was established – founded with heart, purpose, and a mission that still guides us today.

What started as a nonprofit with big dreams has grown into a vision-driven organization of more than 700 dedicated professionals across west-central Florida, Georgia, parts of South Carolina, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

At LifeLink, we are united by our mission: To honor donors and save lives through organ and tissue donation.

Our vision remains clear: To maximize the gift of life while giving hope to donor families and transplant patients.

We are grounded in the values that shape our work and culture—Compassion. Excellence. Legacy. People. Quality.

If you’re inspired by purpose, driven by impact, and ready to help save and heal lives, LifeLink is the place for you.

What You’ll Do

As a Surgical Coordinator - Tissue Recovery, you will directly contribute to LifeLink’s life-saving mission. You will participate in and help facilitate all activities related to tissue recovery, including receiving and screening referrals, technical recovery, and post-recovery activities. This position must comply with Foundation and LifeLink Tissue Bank policies and protocols, as well as AATB standards and FDA regulations regarding the recovery of tissue for transplant.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise per diem recovery staff and ensure tissue recovery is performed following Tissue Bank policies and procedures.
• Perform aseptic recovery of human tissue for transplantation, and complete and review documentation.
• Follow established protocols set forth in LifeLink Tissue Bank’s Policies and Procedures.
• Oversees per diem staff during cases.
• Responsible for procurement logistics, including per diem staff availability, transportation arrangements and tissue suite conditions.
• Participate in the ongoing training of all tissue recovery personnel, including the completion of training documentation.
• Inspect and monitor equipment, supplies and instrumentation being used for recovery.
• Participate and collaborate with LifeLink Tissue Bank in the development of standards and procedures as they relate to local procurement situations.
• Attend continuing education meetings/courses and disseminate information to recovery staff.
• Participate in department QA Program activities as directed.
• Perform other duties deemed necessary by the Director of Tissue Recovery.
• Oversight of Tissue Room and Prep Area conditions to include monitoring of:

• Aseptic work areas to ensure standards and SOPS are met.
• Inventory levels of medical and other supplies and adjusting par levels as appropriate.
• Tissue recovery room cleaning and disinfection log documentation accuracy and
• Quality of per diem/coordinator room cleaning and organization after tissue recovery.
• Environmental condition, taking corrective measures as necessary and reporting deficiencies to management staff.
• Instrumentation including necessary equipment changes.
• Provide written reports of tissue or prep room deficiencies to the Director of Tissue Recovery, immediately, with plan to repair.
• Ensure the appropriate receipt, documentation and verification of supplies and reagents utilized in tissue recovery.
• Performs rounds in the Medical Examiner’s office and ASEM to perform physical assessments, referrals follow ups or assist staff.
• Complete documentation and coding of referrals in iTransplant.
• Per protocol, communicates any hospital development, Medical Examiner, funeral home and/or other referral facility concerns or feedback to the appropriate divisional department via the Tissue management staff.

Who You Are

• Passionate about helping others and making a difference
• Aligned with LifeLink’s core values of Compassion, Excellence, Legacy, People, and Quality
• A Surgical Technician or Operations Room Technician (ORT) Certification; or a certification as a tissue bank specialist (CTBS); and a minimum of two years of experience in any one of these fields.
• Thorough knowledge and comprehension of aseptic technique with a minimum of one year of experience in aseptic technique.
• Proven interpersonal skills with all levels of personnel.
• Availability to participate in a 24/7 call rotation schedule.
• Analytical and mental ability to interpret serological, microbiological, virological, histological and all other pertinent tests required for the determination of suitability as it relates to a potential bone and tissue donor.
• Ability to stand for ninety percent of the work time.
• Visual acuity and manual dexterity necessary to prepare tissue for clinical use and procure tissue in an aseptic manner.
• Physical ability to lift, carry and/or move equipment varying in weight from one to two hundred and fifty pounds.
• Fully bilingual (English/Spanish) written and verbal.
• Current driver license with proven good driving record.
• Work extended hours during peak procurement periods.
• A collaborator who thrives in a mission-first environment

Why LifeLink?

• Be part of an organization with a legacy of saving lives and giving hope
• Join a passionate and supportive team across Florida, Georgia, and Puerto Rico
• COMPANY PAID Medical, Dental, Disability & Life Insurance
• Generous COMPANY PAID Pension Plan for your Retirement
• Paid Vacation, Sick Days & Holidays
• Growth opportunities in a mission-driven, high-impact nonprofit
• Work with purpose, knowing your efforts directly touch lives

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

LifeLink is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment that reflects the communities we serve.

Ready to Help Change Lives?

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