Recovery Surgeon

About The Role

The Recovery Surgeon is a licensed physician with expertise in organ donation, surgical organ recovery, normothermic regional perfusion cannulation, and transplantation. This individual holds primary responsibility for the surgical dissection, removal, and preparation of abdominal (and/or thoracic) organs from deceased donors for transplantation and research. The Recovery Surgeon also conducts intraoperative assessments to determine the medical suitability of the donor. All surgical procedures must align with Indiana Donor Network (INDN) recovery standards. Additionally, the Recovery Surgeon supports INDN’s mission by promoting operational efficiency and delivering high-quality surgical recovery services to increase the availability of transplantable organs.

Responsibilities

• Provides day-to-day guidance regarding the organizational mission and core values of Indiana Donor Network.
• Responsible for organ recovery procedures, both Donation after Brain Death (DBD) donors and Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) donors, ensuring they meet national standards and INDN policies and procedures for organ recovery and transplantation.
• Assists in managing the donor hospital recovery process by collaborating with hospital staff in a respectful and professional manner.
• Responsible for performing organ biopsies and facilitating the interpretation of organ biopsies by donor hospital or other pathologists to determine suitability when biopsy requested.
• Responsible for inspecting the abdominal cavity for abnormalities that necessitate pathological evaluation.
• Responsible for recovering liver, pancreas, and kidneys from deceased donors for transplantation.
• Responsible for recovering lungs for transplantation (added to ACIN once performed under proctorship while at Indiana Donor Network).
• Provides and documents an accurate and verifiable description of organ anatomy to include assessment of quality, anatomical abnormalities, and surgical damage.
• Recovers or assists in the recovery of heart valves and organs for research when requested.
• Assists Indiana Donor Network clinical organ staff in perfusion, preservation, cannulation, and training appropriate staff for transplant organ recovery.
• Actively supports Indiana Donor Network's Code of Corporate Conduct, mission, vision, and core values of being professional, accurate, and dedicated.

Requirements

The incumbent must be a doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathy, currently licensed by the State of Indiana, with at least three years’ experience as a surgeon performing transplant operations. A valid state driver’s license is also required.

Skills

• Clinical Skills: Knowledge of relevant medical terminology and pathology, ability to translate complex medical information into easily understandable language for families and staff.
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills. Ability to critically think, problem solve, and work productively both independently and as a team participant. Skilled in active listening and proven ability to manage sensitive and confidential information.
• Emotional Intelligence: Demonstrates the ability to understand, use, and manage emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges, and diffuse conflict.
• Delegation: Knows when and what to delegate. Assigns tasks/assignments to match individuals’ personal strengths. Encourages employees to utilize critical thinking to solve their own problems.
• Initiative: Is a self-starter. Seeks solutions and makes practical suggestions. Finds new and better ways to perform job functions. Displays ingenuity in anticipating and meeting unexpected situations.
• Organization: Is able to successfully prioritize when faced with demands, requests, and deadlines. Effectively manages competing priorities. Is able to distinguish between the crucial and trivial. Sees the big picture. Keeps situations in proper perspective.
• Confidentiality: Ability to handle highly confidential information in a professional manner. High level of judgment and discretion.

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
• Annual health savings account contributions
• Paid pet insurance
• Annual bonuses for performance and retention
• Generous paid time off and holiday pay
• Professional development and growth opportunities
• A mission-driven, supportive work culture