Surgical Preservation Coordinator

Southern Legacy of Life; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

ARORA seeks a Surgical Preservation Coordinator (SPC) to lead intraoperative organ recovery, perfusion, and preservation for donor organs. The SPC oversees a team of medical professionals and collaborates with surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, technologists, and OR staff to ensure successful donor organ recovery.

The role requires advanced anatomical knowledge and technical expertise, autonomous problem-solving, and strong data entry and cross-functional teamwork.

Qualifications

• Surgical Technician or Certified Surgical Technologist with at least 1 year OR experience.
• Training/experience in organ preservation, transplantation or surgical/sterile techniques.
• Maintain vaccinated status and health screenings as required.
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and attention to detail are essential.
• Ability to work autonomously and self-schedule in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee recovery, perfusion, labeling and documentation per regulatory policies.
• Assist in removal of organs for transplant or research per protocol.
• Perform aseptic kidney perfusion/pulsatile machine perfusion under physician guidance.
• Prepare donor kidneys for PMP device including cannulation and anatomical review.
• Maintain organ inventory and ensure timely data entry into donor records.
• Coordinate with transplant centers, OR staff, and donor hospitals.
• Archive organ specimens and ensure proper packaging for transport.
• Work overtime or beyond shifts as required to complete cases.

Skills

Surgical instrumentation

Organ perfusion

Autonomous work style

Team coordination

Regulatory compliance

Education

Surgical Technologist Certification

EMT Certification

Tools

Pulsatile perfusion device

DonorNet

Job description

Department: Clinical/Organ
Reports To: Surgical Recovery Supervisor
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Direct Reports: None
Safety Sensitive Position
OSHA Risk Category: 1

Job Summary/Scope

The Surgical Preservation Coordinator (SPC) primary responsibility is the following: The Surgical Preservation Coordinator (SPC) oversees all organ donor perfusion and organ preservation processes and is responsible for the intraoperative leadership of a team of medical professionals while managing the recovery process of all solid organs. The SPC must have an advanced degree of anatomical knowledge, skills, and technical expertise in surgical services.

The SPC participates as a member of the transplant team by providing deceased donor organ pulsatile machine perfusion and organ procurement/preservation services for the organ transplant departments. SPC’s work collaboratively with a range of high-level professionals including surgeons, anesthesiologists/CRNA’s, nurses, surgical technologists, and OR staff. To this audience they are the operative expert for the organ recovery process.

Each organ donation can represent a new set of unusual circumstances that must be dealt with in real-time to ensure a successful recovery. This requires a high degree of organization, ingenuity, and ability to adapt, and problem-solve in the face of unforeseen surgical and logistical problems. Innovative problem-solving needs to happen in a rapid and decisive manner to lessen the potential for adverse implications that could negatively impact the supply of transplantable organs.

An SPC must be able to serve in a consulting capacity to donor hospital OR staff by answering questions and lending expertise to facilitate a successful donor recovery process.

This position requires a high degree of autonomy, including managing time to accomplish office responsibilities which also include data entry, attendance of meetings, continuing education requirements, and participation in cross-functional teams.

Essential Functions

1. Ensures all aspects of the recovery process are performed to optimal levels in adherence with regulatory policies and organizational procedures.
2. Ensures stewardship of the donated organs and provides access to transplant programs by performing all perfusion, packaging and labeling, and regulatory documentation in an expedited manner, and without error.
3. Assists the organ recovery physician or designee with the removal of organs for transplant, research, or education according to established protocols and procedures.
4. Performs aseptic kidney pumping/pulsatile machine perfusion (PMP) following kidney separation by a physician or designee.
5. Prepares deceased donor kidneys for the PMP device including cannulation, anatomical review, and fat removal.
6. Displays and maintains expertise in all aspects of kidney pumping including cannulation, pump set‑up, parameter adjustments, monitoring, troubleshooting, and documentation/reporting requirements.
7. Performs aseptic organ preservation by flushing organs with appropriate solution, packaging and labeling organs, tissue typing material, and vessels in accordance with OPTN Standards, TransNet, and ARORA Policy.
8. Works with procuring surgeon to obtain anatomy and biopsies as needed. Obtains/relays biopsy reports to appropriate staff and transplant centers.
9. Administers medications to preservation solutions and pumped kidneys required for organ procurement and preservation in established protocols and procedures.
10. Assists in logistical management of surgical teams and organs.
11. At the donor hospital, coordinates, manages, and assists hospital personnel, outside recovery teams, and ARORA staff.
12. Responsible for set‑up of necessary OR equipment and instruments for organ recovery.
13. Responsible for distribution of organs and specimens to transplant centers, labs and/or airports.
14. Responsible for the completion of required documentation
15. Document all activities in the electronic donor record.
16. Upload Pump Numbers to DonorNet.
17. Responsible for the management and maintenance of all Clinical Organ inventory and supplies.
18. Reorders supplies as needed.
19. Assist with physical maintenance and cleaning of clinical area in the ARORA clinical facilities.
20. Archive required organ specimens on a weekly basis.
21. Completes all organ procurement cases started; works overtime and past scheduled shift times, when required.
22. Operates without management oversight in the field and can resolve complex surgical, procurement, and regulatory concerns independently.
23. Seek the advice of ARORA’s Medical Director, or their designee, regarding Recovery Services if and when appropriate.
24. Performs other duties as required.

Secondary Functions

1. Maintains current industry knowledge of organ procurement and preservation technology and
2. Participates in the orientation/training of new SPC’s.
3. Maintains competencies and demonstrates comprehension of learned tasks on an annual basis.
4. Authorize aircraft and vehicle charters, as necessary.
5. Develops and implements contingency plans to ensure a successful organ procurement process intraoperatively.
6. Provides perfusion and intraoperative support to transplant centers (partner transplant centers) departing the AROR service area for liver and/or heart recovery, when appropriate.
7. Serves as a consultant to local transplant centers by providing intraoperative support and education with living donor kidney nephrectomies.
8. Assist organ and/or tissue in additional aspects of follow‑up documentation.
9. Assists Donation Development department in all active organ donor hospitals as it relates to the OR and education of staff.
10. Participates in cross‑organizational activities to improve organizational performance as appropriate.

Organizational Expectations

1. Maintains regular and punctual attendance at assigned work location.
2. Accurately document timekeeping records.
3. Completes and maintains appropriate documentation in a timely and thorough manner including activities. Examples include training documentation, mileage, expenses, electronic schedule of ARORA events, and other forms.
4. Proofs work for accuracy and completeness.
5. Exhibits and models ARORA’s conduct standards, mission, and organizational clarity (core purpose, core values, business definition, and strategic anchors) in all job functions and interactions both internal and external to ARORA.
6. Attendance at staff meetings, training programs, and/or in‑services meetings, as required.
7. Demonstrates professional appearance, behavior and standards in all business dealings and interactions.
8. Demonstrates professional conduct and behavior reflective of ARORA’s respect, honor, admiration and reverence for the donor and donor family.
9. Fosters effective relationships with client representatives.
10. With the approval of department Director, serves on national committees.
11. Performs other duties as assigned.

Potential Risk Factors

1. Risk Exposure to Blood/Body Fluids: While performing some essential functions of your position, you may be exposed to blood or body fluids. Established procedures identify the appropriate personal protective measures that you should use when performing essential functions of your position. The ARORA Safety program will provide you with the appropriate procedures and guidelines in which you should perform the essential duties of your job. If you need additional training or resources, please see your supervisor or the ARORA Safety Officer.
2. Repetitive Motion: While performing some essential functions of your position, you may be required to perform some functions repeatedly. When such tasks are not performed properly, injury can result.
3. Minimum Weightlifting Requirement: While performing some essential functions of your position, you may be required to do some lifting, moving, pushing, or pulling. When such tasks are not performed properly, injury can result. Must have the ability to lift minimum weight of 55 lbs.
4. Prolonged Sitting, Standing, and Bending: While performing some essential functions of your position, you may be required to sit, stand, or bend for an extended period of time. When such tasks are not performed properly, injury can result. Precautions and/or equipment should be used when performing this task.
5. Competency Evaluation: Competency evaluations are required for this position. Your supervisor will notify you when your evaluation is to be conducted.
6. Training: You may need additional training to better understand the performance requirements of your essential job functions. Training classes are available and can be requested and/or assigned. Your attendance at such classes is mandatory.

Work Environment

1. Works in various locations, including normal office environment, operating room, hospital environment, and other locations as essential and secondary functions necessitates.
2. Required to carry a cellular telephone for business purposes.
3. Frequent travel required by personal vehicle to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the position.
4. May require travel by commercial or chartered aircraft.
5. Non-smoking office.

Work Hours

ARORA is a 24/7 operation and will require this position to work various shifts. Surgical Preservation Coordinator participates in a rotating call schedule and maintains an on‑call schedule in 24-hour shifts. This position must be available evenings, holidays, and weekends as required.

Security Requirements

This position is responsible for handling confidential records and ensuring that information is protected according to the recognized standards and regulations for maintaining patient records.

Requirements

Minimum Job Requirements

1. Surgical Technician or Certified Surgical Technologist with minimum 1-year Operating Room experience, Surgical First Assist, EMT, experienced OR Circulating Nurse or:
2. Training and/or experience in organ preservation, transplantation, and/or surgical/sterile techniques.
3. Training and/or experience in tissue recovery.
4. Maintain a valid driver’s license, reliable automobile, and proof of automobile insurance.
5. Maintain any current licensures and certifications.
6. Must maintain required vaccination and/or health screenings to minimize the potential for disease transmission.
7. Excellent communication skills, ability to work with a team, and attention to detail required.
8. The ability to practice with a high degree of autonomy in a self-directed manner that demonstrates innovation and creativity.
9. Possess the ability to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team.
10. The position requires a high degree of initiative, autonomy, and the ability to self-schedule.
11. Consistent demonstration of attention to detail, precision, accuracy, and customer satisfaction.
12. Possess strong prioritization skills and the ability to effectively manage multiple projects and tasks.
13. Ability to utilize general office equipment, software, and must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Job Qualifications

1. Certified Transplant Preservationist (CTP)
2. Experience in organ procurement, transplant, or tissue recovery/banking.