Surgical Coordinator 1

About the role

Join LifeLink — Join a Life Saving Team! More than four decades ago, a visionary group of innovators, led by renowned nephrologist Dr. Dana Shires, made a life-changing commitment—to save lives through organ and tissue donation. From that bold beginning, LifeLink Foundation was established – founded with heart, purpose, and a mission that still guides us today. At LifeLink, we are united by our mission: To honor donors and save lives through organ and tissue donation. Our vision remains clear: To maximize the gift of life while giving hope to donor families and transplant patients.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the highest standards of professional conduct and interpersonal relationship development; promoting a positive and collaborative work environment aligned with the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
• Carefully coordinate and perform all designated aspects of the organ recovery, preservation, and packaging process in compliance with LifeLink policies and applicable regulations.
• Provide on-call coverage and support for deceased donor procurement, organ preservation, and related activities, as assigned.
• Demonstrate proficiency in sterile technique, universal precautions, infection control, and correct use of surgical instruments and supplies.
• Prepare, brief, and assist operating room (“OR”) staff throughout the organ and tissue recovery process, ensuring a coordinated surgical workflow; assuring a coordinated and informed plan for the sequence of recovery events with all surgical personnel.
• Set up, maintain, and turn over the OR before, during, and after recovery procedures, including post-mortem care.
• Coordinate the sterilization of specialized surgical instruments, if necessary.
• Maintain appropriate conditions for flush solutions, additives, and preservation media throughout the surgical recovery process.
• Demonstrate knowledge of normal and variant human anatomy, recognizing anatomical structures and components relevant to organ recovery, packaging, and documentation.
• Recognize and respond to intraoperative complications.
• Understand and apply proper techniques for organ and tissue dissection, recovery, preparation and preservation.
• Serve as the surgical first assist during donor organ recovery procedures, supporting the lead surgeon in both sterile and non-sterile tasks, if necessary.
• Perform recovery of organs and tissues intended for research, education, or training.
• Ensure that all organs, tissues, and specimens are properly packaged and labeled in compliance with regulatory and safety requirements; maintaining chain of custody and supporting safe, compliant transport.
• Operate, monitor, and adjust machine perfusion systems to optimize organ preservation and assess organ viability.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues with machine perfusion equipment or protocols during organ preservation.
• Perform the packaging, labeling, handling, and shipping of organs in a manner that ensures their arrival without compromise to the quality of the organ or other specimen.
• Ensure proper chain of custody, secure storage, and timely transport of specimens to designated pathology or laboratory services.
• Facilitate real-time communication with designated stakeholders throughout the organ recovery and allocation process, including appropriate hospital, transplant, and medical examiner personnel.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of all required documentation.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of donor and recipient information in accordance with LifeLink policy and applicable privacy law.
• Responsible for participating in quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) activities for the OPO as outlined in the OPO QAPI Plan.
• Remain current on advances in organ recovery techniques and relevant technologies while maintaining the required certifications.
• Absorb and provide professional education.
• Assist with orientation of LifeLink staff regarding surgical recovery procedures, sterile technique, and equipment use.
• Evaluate self-performance by comparing actual outcomes to expectations.
• Fulfill additional individual and departmental directives, obligations, and responsibilities, as designated.

Requirements

• Passionate about helping others and making a difference.
• Aligned with LifeLink’s core values of Compassion, Excellence, Legacy, People, and Quality.
• Certified Transplant Preservationist (CTP), Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), Certified Tissue Bank Specialist (CTBS), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), or the ability to obtain CTP certification within one (1) year of entering call schedule.
• Advanced technical, organizational, communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills required, both at the start of a shift and after 20–40 hours without sleep.
• Current valid state driver license with a good driving record.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience in a healthcare setting preferred.
• Knowledge of organ and tissue recovery processes.
• Experience with sterile technique and infection control.
• Experience with surgical instruments and supplies.
• Experience with machine perfusion systems.
• Experience with organ and tissue dissection, recovery, preparation, and preservation.
• Experience with organ and tissue packaging and labeling.
• Experience with organ and tissue transportation and storage.
• Experience with real-time communication and stakeholder management.
• Experience with quality assurance and performance improvement activities.
• Experience with advanced technical, organizational, communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.

Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Proficient in sterile technique and infection control.
• Skilled in surgical instrument and supply management.
• Knowledgeable in machine perfusion systems and techniques.
• Proficient in organ and tissue dissection, recovery, preparation, and preservation.
• Skilled in organ and tissue packaging and labeling.
• Skilled in organ and tissue transportation and storage.
• Skilled in real-time communication and stakeholder management.
• Proficient in quality assurance and performance improvement activities.

Benefits

LifeLink offers competitive compensation and benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and more. We also offer a comprehensive training program to ensure you have the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in your role.

Pay

Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Variable and rotating on-call schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays, depending on call requirements and case duration.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

LifeLink is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment that reflects the communities we serve.