Tissue Recovery Master Technician

Tissue Recovery Master Technician

Location: Richmond, Virginia

Department: Tissue Recovery

Job Type: Full-Time

Shift: Shift work and On-Call. Holidays & Weekends as required; Overtime as needed. Travel 60% or more.

Clinical Classification: Enhanced Clinical

LifeNet Health is searching for talented individuals who will embrace our mission of saving lives, restoring health, and giving hope.

LifeNet Health, headquartered in Virginia Beach, is the largest nonprofit organ procurement organization (“OPO”) and tissue processor in the United States, as well as a leading innovator in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Our goal is to improve the quality of human life through the provisions of organs, tissues and cells for transplantation; to provide innovation in the field of bio-implants, regenerative medicine and research; and to serve the community with educational and support services that enhance the donation process. LifeNet Health has over 1200 employees and has a growing global presence.

How you will contribute to LifeNet Health’s success:

The Tissue Recovery Master Technician performs all aspects of the recovery of standard and advanced biospecimens for research which may require specialized and advanced skills. They function as the primary team to recover research tissues with short preservation timelines and support the OPO in research recoveries as necessary. They assist with the onboarding of new research projects and function as the trainer for the biospecimen recovery processes. They participate in the clinical tissue recovery schedule as needed. This is considered a critical position.

Important: This role requires the ability to sit, stand, bend, walk, and lift up to 50 lbs. for the duration of the shift; as well as wear personal protective equipment to include surgical gowns, masks, visors or goggles, and caps.

This role is critical to the LifeNet Health mission because it is an important step in taking the donor’s gifts and transitioning them to lifesaving and health restoring allografts for patients around the globe.

What you’ll do:

• Tissue and Specimen Recovery: Able to perform all duties and responsibilities of the Tissue Recovery Surgical Specialist and Tissue Recovery Case Lead for clinical and research tissue donations.  Functions as the expert recovery team member on all research tissues, organs, and samples, biospecimens for research, including those requiring specialized skills and advanced training. Knowledgeable in advanced neurological dissection, histological dissection, and surgical explant perfusion. Primary team member for Tissue to Follow Organ (TTFO) biospecimen recoveries and recovery of biospecimens with short preservation intervals. Supports the OPO in recovering organs for research, as required per location. Supports the clinical team with on-call and case related activities as needed. Participates in the Administrator-On-Call (AOC) call schedule reviewing biospecimen recovery related questions from the clinical recovery teams.
• Research Tissue Project On-Boarding: Assists with the evaluation of all proposed biospecimen for research recovery projects. Assists with the development of recovery protocols. Assists with the identification and acquisition of all instrumentation and supplies required for biospecimen recovery. Assists with the implementation of all research projects, to include training current Tissue Recovery staff on new research projects, as well as new Master Technicians on the advanced knowledge, skills, and abilities.  May participate in wet lab training events as the subject matter expert.
• Biospecimen Tissue and Sample Management: Responsible for handling all aspects of recovered research sample management, including maintaining current inventory reporting and tracking, storage environment monitoring, and sample shipment to contracted research partners.  Collaborate with the research project managers to determine the final disposition of recovered research samples and manage all aspects of shipping and documentation.  Maintain the research tissue database and applicable donor record with results of the disposition actions.
• Quality & Continuous Improvement: Ensures quality outcomes of all work performed by self and team. Responsible for CAPA investigations and closure regarding research biospecimen recoveries and associated actions. Responsible for maintaining dedicated office, storage, and recovery space, ensuring it remains in a clean, organized, and audit ready state. Assists with the monitoring, development, and reporting of KPI and departmental metrics. Assists with completion of the Zone Assessment Guide and other audit readiness activities as they relate to research tissue recovery activities. Participates in departmental and organizational LEAN projects and initiatives. Other duties as assigned.

What you’ll bring (Minimum Requirements):

• Valid State Driver’s License
• High School Diploma/GED with 7 years of clinical experience working in a healthcare to include 3 years of experience as a LifeNet Health Tissue Recovery Surgical Specialist with training in the recovery of basic research tissues

– or –

Associate’s degree in healthcare or a medical related field with 5 years of clinical experience working in a healthcare, pathology or biologics research facility to include 2 years of experience directly involved in surgery, tissue handling, or research dissections

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS): Advanced degree in a science, healthcare, or medical related focus
• Enhanced Identification Valid State Enhanced (or “Real ID”) Driver's License and/or a current passport
• Certified LEAN Green Belt: Certification offered by LifeNet Health or an external accredited entity
• Certified Scrub Technician: Current certification from an accredited entity as an Operating Room Scrub Technician, or similar
• Certified Tissue Bank Specialist (CTBS) from the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB)
• Training Skills: Ability to train and mentor others

These would be nice too (Knowledge Skills and Abilities):

• Teamwork: Ability to be collaborative and work as part of a team to resolve issues, complete tasks and meet business needs.
• Attention to Detail: Able to perform tasks thoroughly and with care; checks work to ensure high degree of accuracy/completeness and early/on-time delivery
• Compliance Skills: Ability to follow LifeNet Health and client procedures and industry regulations
• Leadership: Must be able to effectively lead team to effectively execute case activity and achieve departmental/office goals and objectives
• Critical Thinking: Demonstrates the ability to successfully gather and evaluate pertinent information to draw conclusions and identify potential priority business needs and apply to processes in place
• Logical Analysis: Requires thinking through and solving problems step by step; often as to look beyond the obvious solution to a problem
• Communication: Written, verbal and presentation; ability to engage, inspire and influence people
• Initiative: Ability to motivate self in completing assigned tasks and proactively seek out opportunities for self and organizational improvement
• Computer Skills: PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook, Microsoft Suite

Why work at LifeNet Health?

We have a fierce drive for our mission of Saving Lives, Restoring Health, and Giving Hope. You will not find another company with a culture as strong as ours.

• 403(b) and Profit-Sharing Plan
• Affordable medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Corporate sponsored events for employees
• Work-life balance with generous paid time off to include vacation time, sick time, and paid holidays
  • 18 vacation days
  • 9 sick days
  • 7 paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement
• Personal career, skill, and leadership development opportunities
• Wellness Program (gym reimbursement, monthly wellness webinars, mental health toolkit, financial resources, and much more)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and members of their household
• Dedicated and passionate co-worker

Salary: $29.81 to $39.75 / hour

* The pay rate for the successful candidate will depend on geographic location and the candidate’s qualifications and prior relevant experience. The pay range for this position is $29.81 hourly (entry-level qualifications) to $39.75 hourly (experienced in this role).

* Actual compensation may be higher based on the successful candidate’s knowledge and relevant experience.

This position is eligible for an annual bonus once eligibility criteria are met. 

* All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and LifeNet Health reserves the right to modify or change these benefits programs at any time, with or without notice, unless otherwise required by law. Further, nothing in this posting is intended to alter the “at will” relationship of a successful candidate and this posting does not constitute a specific promise.

LifeNet Health is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.  We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.