Tissue Recovery Specialist (Contract) - Northern Indiana

Ossium Health; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 34,440 - 55,104; Full time

Job summary

Ossium Health is seeking a Tissue Recovery Specialist (independent contractor) to support vertebral body recovery programs. You will respond quickly to donor recovery needs, perform recoveries, and ensure high-quality tissue delivery to our Indianapolis facility.

Travel by car or plane may be required, with cases expected monthly and tight timelines. Requirements include OR or OPO experience, a valid driver's license, strong anatomy knowledge, and the ability to work outside standard hours.

Qualifications

• Experience in organ/tissue recovery and OR settings.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Ability to travel with short notice (up to ~6 hours).
• Aseptic technique proficiency and knowledge of anatomy.

Responsibilities

• Respond promptly to donor recovery requests and coordinate with OPO staff.
• Perform vertebral body recovery following procurement or as permitted.
• Deliver recovered tissue to Ossium’s processing facility in Indianapolis.

Skills

OPO experience

Driver’s license

Travel readiness

Aseptic technique

Medical terminology

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Associate degree in science/healthcare

CTBS certification

Job description

About Ossium

Ossium’s mission is to improve the health, vitality, and longevity of human beings through bioengineering. We develop, manufacture, and bank cell therapy products that apply the power of stem cell science to revolutionize treatment for patients with blood, immune, and orthopedic diseases. At Ossium, we empower our employees, maintain the highest standards of operational excellence, and are a force for good.

About the Role

The Tissue Recovery Specialist is an independent contractor role supporting Ossium Health’s vertebral body recovery program. Tissue Recovery Specialists are engaged when additional support is required to ensure timely donor recovery. This is a unique level role for an individual with operating room or tissue recovery experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Respond promptly to Ossium communications regarding donor recovery availability
• Perform vertebral body recovery immediately following organ procurement or when permitted
• Develop in-depth knowledge of Ossium Health and recovery partner protocols to consistently ensure high quality performance
• Travel primarily by car, using either your own vehicle or a recovery partner’s vehicle if permitted, and potentially by plane to designated facilities where organ procurement is performed
• Coordinate closely with Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) staff
• Be available to recover a minimum of 4 cases per month to maintain competency level
• Document, recover, package, and personally deliver recovered tissue to Ossium’s processing facility in Indianapolis
• Represent Ossium Health with professionalism to partners and clinical staff
• Consistently adhere to all safety standards, including proper use of PPE

This is not an on-call position. You will only be contacted when recovery coverage is needed. Upon notification, you may choose to accept the case if you are available to arrive within the required timeframe.

The Tissue Recovery Specialist reports directly to the Manager of Recovery Services.

Required Qualifications

• Experience working in an OPO (organ, tissue, ocular recovery) or hospital operating room (OR) setting
• Must possess valid driver’s license
• Ability to reliably travel (drive/fly) with limited notice (typically under 6 hours)
• Flexibility to work outside standard business hours (evenings, nights, weekends, or holidays) as needed
• Proficiency in recovery techniques with strong attention to aseptic practice
• Strong knowledge of anatomy and medical terminology
• Excellent communication skills with a professional, approachable demeanor
• Reliability, responsiveness, and attention to detail
• Employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of a background check and reference verification.

Note: For location details, candidates may be within Northern Indiana (Fort Wayne area) or Southern Indiana (Evansville and Louisville, KY) or other locations within Indiana.

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years of organ, tissue, ocular recovery, or hospital OR experience
• Associate’s degree in a science or healthcare-related field
• Certified Tissue Bank Specialist (CTBS)

Physical Requirements

• Training in bloodborne pathogen safety required (Hepatitis B vaccination available)
• Ability to work aseptically in controlled environments
• Comfort working around biohazardous materials and chemicals
• Ability to lift, push, pull, or carry up to 50 lbs
• Manual dexterity to handle surgical instruments, tools, and recovery equipment.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach as needed during recoveries

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ossium Health provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other protected characteristic. Our Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement and the Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal Poster reaffirm this commitment. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our People Team at [e-mail] or 650-285-0603. Ossium Health complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and candidates with disabilities.