Transplant Organ Preservationist

Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt University Medical Center operates at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care. It is a community where expertise is valued, knowledge is expanded, and abilities are challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and uniqueness is celebrated.

About the role

The Transplant Organ Preservationist is responsible for recovery activities related to the allocation, distribution, surgical removal, and preservation of organs for transplantation. This includes managing supplies and medication, traveling with surgical teams for organ recovery, setting up and maintaining sterile fields and back tables in the OR, assisting surgeons during organ recovery procedures, and packaging organs according to regulatory standards. Preservationists deliver organs, blood, and tissue samples back to the recipient location and ensure all procedures are documented accurately and in compliance with protocols. This is a full-time position with a guaranteed 40-hour workweek.

About us

Vanderbilt Health is a leading provider of organ transplantation in the United States, offering new hope and longer life to hundreds of people each year. For over six decades, the Vanderbilt team has been committed to lifesaving transplants for people worldwide. As Tennessee’s only full-service transplant center, we provide advanced care for end-stage organ failure in children and adults. Our specialists also perform lifesaving dual-organ transplants, including heart-kidney, heart-liver, heart-lung, kidney-pancreas, and liver-kidney.

Responsibilities

• Provides medical/technical support to Organ Recovery teams for the removal of donor organs and tissue, including preparation of equipment, medications, clinical guidance, communication, and organ packaging.
• Evaluates donor organs for suitability of transplantation.
• Monitors preservation parameters during organ recovery surgery and transport to ensure quality outcomes.
• Coordinates organ transport and delivery to recipient hospitals, including necessary documentation and communication.
• Demonstrates knowledge of principles of decontamination, disinfection, sanitation, and sterilization to reduce infection potential.
• Participates in quality assessment and performance improvement activities, including data entry, data analysis, report compilation, and presentations to peers and leaders.
• Required to participate in all forms of ground and air travel.

Requirements

• Certification as a Certified Organ Preservationist, NBSTSA CST, or NCCT TS-C.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• 2 years of surgical technology, organ preservation, or donation experience. Experience in other medical fields (e.g., RN, EMT) may be considered.
• Direct patient care and operating room technical experience.

Skills

• Medical Equipment Knowledge (Intermediate): Awareness of the capabilities of specific medical equipment. Able to use equipment to accomplish advanced tasks independently.
• Surgical Equipment Knowledge (Intermediate): Demonstrates mastery of equipment and related devices. Resolves equipment problems efficiently.
• Procedures Knowledge (Intermediate): Demonstrates mastery of procedures in practical applications of a difficult nature. Able to train and educate others.
• Operating Room Care (Intermediate): Demonstrates mastery of operating room care in complex procedures. Able to train and educate others.
• Environmental Sterility & Safety (Intermediate): Demonstrates mastery of environmental sterility and safety in practical applications.
• Inventory Management (Intermediate): Proficient in monitoring and reconciling inventory balances.

Core Accountabilities

• Organizational Impact: Performs routine tasks that may impact team performance with occasional guidance.
• Problem Solving/Complexity of Work: Utilizes discretion and research to solve routine problems.
• Breadth of Knowledge: Applies knowledge of standards, processes, and procedures relevant to the role.
• Team Interaction: Provides guidance to entry-level co-workers.

Core Capabilities

• Supporting Colleagues:
  • Develops self and others by identifying development opportunities.
  • Builds and maintains relationships across areas.
  • Communicates effectively by openly sharing information in a clear and courteous manner.
• Delivering Excellent Services:
  • Serves others with compassion by understanding their needs.
  • Solves complex problems by understanding issues and raising concerns in a timely manner.
  • Offers meaningful advice and support by listening carefully and providing accurate information.
• Ensuring High Quality:
  • Performs excellent work by checking quality before delivery.
  • Fulfills safety and regulatory requirements by demonstrating basic knowledge of conditions affecting safety.
• Managing Resources Effectively:
  • Demonstrates accountability by taking responsibility for assigned activities.
  • Stewards organizational resources by understanding the impact of personal actions on departmental resources.
  • Makes data-driven decisions by using accurate information to achieve results.
• Fostering Innovation:
  • Generates new ideas by proposing or accepting initiatives that impact day-to-day operations.
  • Applies technology by quickly absorbing new tools and procedures.
  • Adapts to change by keeping an open mind to changing plans.

Benefits

This role offers a comprehensive benefits package, which may include health, disability, retirement, and/or wellness offerings to enhance well-being and professional growth.