Surgical Preservation Coordinator - Cincinnati, OH

NFH•Cincinnati, OH

About The Position

At Network for Hope (NFH), the Surgical Preservation Coordinator (SPC) supports the organ recovery process by performing organ preservation, coordinating operating room activities during donor cases, and overseeing the preservation and distribution of organs. The position involves considerable travel throughout the donation service area, fly-outs for transplant centers, and considerable on-call responsibility. The SPC collaborates with surgeons, Organ Recovery Coordinators, operating room staff, and other healthcare professionals to support efficient, protocol-compliant organ recovery and preservation. The coordinator serves as the operating-room point of contact during recovery procedures; prepares patients, instruments, equipment, and supplies; reviews donor information; documents procedures; and supports organ recovery for research when needed. The role includes preserving, flushing, packaging, and distributing organs according to OPTN standards and guidelines, operating and maintaining mechanical preservation equipment, coordinating transportation and imported organs, and maintaining accurate records. Additional work includes supporting quality and safety practices, educating hospital staff, participating in meetings and case debriefings, sterilizing and restocking supplies, and maintaining preservation areas and inventory.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required.
Minimum of 2–3 years of healthcare experience as a surgical technician, surgical assistant, perfusionist, LPN, EMT, or in a similar role.
Certified Transplant Preservationist (CTP) certification required, or certification must be obtained within one year of meeting eligibility requirements.
Considerable travel throughout the donation service area and participation in fly-outs for transplant centers.
Considerable on-call responsibility.

Nice To Haves

Post-secondary education or healthcare certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Coordinate operating-room activities during organ recovery procedures and serve as the point of contact.
Liaise with recovery surgeons, Organ Recovery Coordinators, and operating-room staff to support efficient workflow and adherence to protocols.
Review donor information in the OPTN system.
Assist with organ recovery for research as needed.
Prepare patients for organ recovery procedures, including shaving, draping, retracting, and positioning.
Prepare and maintain surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies.
Document procedure notes and upload required attachments in donor electronic medical records.
Consult with the Surgical Preservation Operations Supervisor and AOC when indicated, and collaborate with external agencies to assist with imported organs.
Interact with donor families with sensitivity and compassion, maintaining composure and professionalism.
Oversee preservation of donated organs to maintain viability and functionality during transportation.
Flush and package organs according to OPTN standards and guidelines.
Perform mechanical preservation of kidneys and other organs as approved by protocols.
Operate and maintain machine-preservation equipment and supplies, and complete pump and cleaning logs.
Communicate pump numbers and transportation needs with transplant surgeons and/or programs.
Obtain, preserve, and package tissue-typing specimens in the operating room according to OPTN standards and guidelines.
Maintain accurate, detailed records of preservation activities and respond to preservation-related emergencies or complications.
Package organs utilizing TransNet based on transportation arrangements and arrange courier pickup as needed.
Distribute organs for transplantation, research, or medical disposal after recovery.
Coordinate imports of organs from outside Organ Procurement Organizations and transplant centers.
Receive and distribute imported organs and tissue-typing material to appropriate hospital HLA and other laboratories, including ABO and pathology labs.
Coordinate and assist with biopsies for imported kidneys.
Maintain quality and safety standards, including sterile technique, procedure documentation, and regulatory compliance.
Document donor-related activities promptly in the donor record and complete required data forms according to policy and procedure.
Provide education and support to hospital staff involved in organ recovery procedures.
Participate in regularly scheduled in-person and virtual team, departmental, and company-wide meetings, as well as case debriefings and clinical meetings.
Sterilize recovery supplies and instruments, restock donor bags, maintain preservation inventory and supplies, and oversee cleaning and organization of preservation areas.