Ocular Tissue Recovery Specialist

Job Summary

The Tissue Recovery Specialist is responsible for the excision of ocular tissue from deceased donors for the intent of transplantation and/or medical research. The role entails driving to the recovery site (e.g., Office of the Medical Examiners, funeral homes, hospitals), performing necessary assessments of the donor, performing the ocular excision procedure, and proper delivery of procured tissue to the correct facility. Additional responsibilities related to the recovery department may be assigned by the Recovery Manager based on recovery tier status.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining a valid driver's license during time of employment.
• Driving to and from the recovery location in a safe and timely manner.
• Performing a detailed physical assessment of the potential donor; documenting any visible signs of communicable diseases.
• Observing the posterior side of the donor by rolling the cadaver and/or lifting extremities.
• Drawing cadaveric blood; or obtaining pre-transfused samples from the admitting hospital when necessary.
• Performing sterile corneoscleral excision and aseptic preservation of tissue for the intent of transplantation.
• Performing non-sterile whole eye enucleation for the intent of medical research or training purposes.
• Delivering ocular tissue, blood samples, or storage media to surgical centers, laboratories, Moran Eye Center, and the Utah Lions Eye Bank.
• Assisting the Recovery Manager with screening new recovery candidates to ensure adequate shift coverage (when applicable).
• Assisting in the proper training of new Tissue Recovery Specialist employees on proper technique, documentation, and technical skills.
• Assisting full-time staff schedule periodic fleet vehicle maintenance to ensure adequate safety and usability of vehicle for recovery-related services.
• Organizing and maintaining recovery-related supplies to ensure proper use of supplies within the allotted expiration date per FDA regulations.
• Conducting professional interactions with referring hospitals, funeral homes, law enforcement agencies, DonorConnect, and the Office of the Medical Examiners.
• Maintaining a competent level of understanding of Standard Operating Procedures associated with the recovery department of the Utah Lions Eye Bank.
• Completing annual LearningHub LMS training per University of Utah Health Academics policy.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate's degree in biology, chemistry or other scientific disciplines in a related field or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience) required.
• Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills also required.
• Certification as an Eye Bank Technician, Ophthalmic Technician or Tissue Bank Specialist is preferred.
• Experience with aseptic technique and medical terminology also preferred.

Preferences

• This position is patient-sensitive and must fulfill all associated requirements. We protect our patients, coworkers and community by requiring all patient-sensitive employees to be immunized according to CDC standards and hospital policy.