Tissue Recovery Coordinator I

Dnwest; Fresno (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

DNWest is seeking a Tissue Recovery Coordinator to lead the tissue recovery team during surgical events and provide clinical support. You will review donor records, coordinate supplies, and ensure compliant handling of specimens for testing, research, and transplant.

The role requires strong organizational and communication skills, the ability to work 12-hour shifts, and willingness to travel within the service area. A biological sciences background and relevant driving credentials are preferred.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in biological sciences, allied healthcare, mortuary science, surgical technology, or EMS program.
• Two years of related work experience may substitute for the degree.
• Must have a valid CA or NV driver’s license.
• Preferred certifications: CTBS, CEBT, CST.

Responsibilities

• Arrive on time and ready to work for the scheduled shift.
• Review donor authorization and identify donors and tissues for recovery.
• Assemble supplies and maintain inventory.
• Perform tissue recovery including skin and adipose dissection.
• Package and label specimens for testing, research, or transplant.
• Coordinate donor event timing with team and maintain good communication.
• Maintain knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, and regulatory requirements.
• Train staff in tissue recovery techniques.
• Handle donor/recipient confidentiality.
• Work in 12-hour shifts including weekends, nights, and holidays.
• Maintain recovery performance metrics.

Skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Communication

Driver's license

Travel ability

Stress management

Team collaboration

Education

Associate degree in biological sciences or related field

Two years of related work experience may substitute

Valid CA or NV driver’s license

CTBS/CEBT/CST preferred

Job description

Position Summary

The Tissue Recovery Coordinator responds to tissue recovery cases and provides technical support for all aspects of tissue recovery for transplant and research. The Coordinator is responsible for intraoperative leadership of the recovery team and communication to medical professionals, including hospital personnel, funeral home staff and coroner or medical examiner professionals. They are the operative expert for the tissue recovery process and perform other clinical support related responsibilities during their scheduled shift as needed.

Responsibilities

• Arrives to work and is clocked in ready to work at the start of assigned shift. Required to have a sense of urgency for a clinical event and evaluate timeframes of recovery needs.
• Reviews donor authorization and ensures proper identification of the donor and tissue(s) authorized for recovery. Reviews donor medical history to the same standard as documented in the hospital chart, electronic donor record and the Uniform Donor Risk Assessment Interview (UDRAI). Obtains medical records and/or diagnostic samples from the hospital for clinical events as needed.
• Assembles required supplies for tissue recovery and effectively uses the material management inventory system, maintaining accurate levels of inventory. Maintains the Recovery Suite, including cleaning, inventory control, receiving deliveries, etc.
• Performs blood draw or collects specimens and completes the preparation steps for surgical dissection of tissue(s). Effectively performs surgical recovery of skin and adipose. Demonstrates annual proficiency of those recovery skills and reconstructs the donor after tissue recovery.
• Performs and verifies packaging and labeling of specimens and tissues recovered for testing, research, and/or transplant. Facilitates timely shipping of diagnostic samples, tissues, and medical records to appropriate laboratories and processors.
• Coordinates time management on the tissue recovery donor event with peers. Consistently demonstrates strong attention to detail, excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Establishes and maintains a basic knowledge of medical terminology, general anatomy, and disease processes. Reviews policies, procedures and trainings as directed to aid learning prior to effective/due dates. Attends and actively participates in departmental and organizational meetings.
• Maintains basic knowledge of federal, state, and industry laws/regulations related to tissue practices, including those of tissue processors, AATB, OSHA, EBAA, and FDA.
• Trains staff in tissue recovery techniques that the coordinator is proficient in, including explaining anatomical and technical concepts/terms.
• Reads and comprehends patient charts.
• Sets and meets realistic goals and deadlines.
• Maintains professionalism and poise in stressful, complex, and continuously changing situations. Demonstrates a high standard of integrity and ethical behavior, resolving conflicts in an open, direct manner.
• Has basic knowledge of the inter‑relationships of departments and services provided by DNWest.
• Performs additional tasks as needed to support donation, such as Donor Operations, Quality, Data, and Donor Information.

Values & Expectations

• Supports the vision, mission, and values of DNWest in every aspect of performance.
• Provides constructive feedback and offers solutions to workplace challenges or obstacles to achieve strategic initiatives.
• Foresees challenges, is proactive, and uses sound judgement and best practices when solving problems and making decisions.
• Conducts work professionally and collaboratively and provides excellent customer service.
• Adapts positively to change, supports new initiatives, and is creative/innovative.
• Demonstrates emotional intelligence through respectful interactions that foster productive communication.
• Partners with internal and external contacts constructively to achieve goals.
• Collaborates with leadership and peers to set professional and personal development goals and actively works to achieve them.
• Works in a safe, secure, legal, and professional manner in the workplace.
• Adheres to DNWest’s policies and code of conduct.

Qualifications & Skills

• Excellent organizational and time management skills; can function independently and collaboratively. Demonstrated problem‑solving, creative thinking, and personal stress management skills.
• Operates telephones, computers, and surgical equipment.
• Communicates accurately and effectively to internal DNWest staff, hospital staff, processing partners, and others involved in the donation process; establishes and maintains relationships with these individuals.
• Handles exposure to emotionally intense situations such as death, grief, and the death process (including pediatric and adult donors). Recognizes that some scenarios may be traumatic.
• Maintains a valid driver’s license according to DNWest motor vehicle policy and has reliable personal automobile transportation with company reimbursement per IRS guidelines. Can drive personal vehicle as required and travel within the service area by ground or air.
• Works a minimum of 12‑hour shifts, with the possibility of staying past shift when required by donor volume and staffing. The schedule may change and includes 7, 12‑hr shifts per pay period, weekends (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), nights, and holidays (5 holiday shifts per calendar year).
• Handles confidentiality of all donor/recipient information.
• Maintains recovery performance metrics consistent with departmental goals.

Education & Certifications

• Associate degree in biological sciences, allied healthcare, mortuary science, completion of a surgical technology program, or an emergency medical services program.
• Two years of work experience in a related field may substitute for the educational requirement.
• Maintains a valid California or Nevada driver’s license and current vehicle insurance per applicable state minimum coverage standards.
• Preferred certifications: Certified Tissue Banking Specialist (CTBS), Certified Eye Banking Specialist (CEBT), Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).
• Hospital or clinical experience; tissue recovery experience; prior experience with sterile technique and surgical procedures preferred.