Tissue Recovery Specialist

University of Utah Health - Academics, Ophthalmology-Services, Salt Lake City, UT

Full-time, benefited position (40 hours per week, Monday–Thursday 7:00am–5:30pm)

About the Role

The Tissue Recovery Specialist is responsible for the excision of ocular tissue from deceased donors for transplantation and/or medical research. This role involves driving to recovery sites (e.g., Office of the Medical Examiner, funeral homes, hospitals), performing donor assessments, executing sterile or non-sterile ocular excision procedures, and delivering procured tissue to designated facilities. Additional duties may be assigned by the Recovery Manager based on recovery tier status.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a valid driver’s license during employment.
• Drive safely and punctually to and from recovery locations.
• Perform detailed physical assessments of potential donors, documenting visible signs of communicable diseases.
• Observe the posterior side of the donor by rolling the cadaver and/or lifting extremities.
• Draw cadaveric blood or obtain pre-transfused samples from admitting hospitals when necessary.
• Perform sterile corneoscleral excision and aseptic preservation of tissue for transplantation.
• Perform non-sterile whole eye enucleation for medical research or training purposes.
• Deliver ocular tissue, blood samples, or storage media to surgical centers, laboratories, Moran Eye Center, and the Utah Lions Eye Bank.
• Assist the Recovery Manager with screening new recovery candidates to ensure adequate shift coverage.
• Train new Tissue Recovery Specialists on proper technique, documentation, and technical skills.
• Schedule periodic fleet vehicle maintenance to ensure safety and usability.
• Organize and maintain recovery-related supplies, adhering to FDA expiration regulations.
• Conduct professional interactions with hospitals, funeral homes, law enforcement, DonorConnect, and the Office of the Medical Examiner.
• Maintain a competent understanding of Standard Operating Procedures for the recovery department.
• Complete annual LearningHub LMS training per University of Utah Health Academics policy.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree in biology, chemistry, or a related scientific field, or equivalency (one year of education may substitute for two years of related work experience).
• Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills.
• Certification as an Eye Bank Technician, Ophthalmic Technician, or Tissue Bank Specialist preferred.
• Experience with aseptic technique and medical terminology preferred.
• Patient-sensitive role requiring immunization compliance per CDC standards and hospital policy (limited exemptions for documented medical or religious reasons).

Preferences

• Prior experience in medical or mortuary fields.
• Ability to tolerate strong smells and graphic/traumatic visuals.
• Ability to stand for extended periods.
• Basic physical assessment skills per EBAA and FDA standards.
• Working knowledge of PC and Microsoft Office.
• Familiarity with hospital, OME, FDA, EBAA, and ULEB policies and procedures.
• Commitment to University Health Academics core values (PROMISE standards).

Pay

$17.00 - $21.29 per hour

Benefits

• Eligibility for Utah Retirement Systems (URS) enrollment for new hires with prior URS service (election required before retirement eligibility).
• Post-retirement rules apply for individuals already receiving URS benefits (contact URS or HR for details).