Tissue Recovery Supervisor

Iowa Donor Network•Altoona, IA

21h•Hybrid

About The Position

Provide direct clinical and operational oversight to the Tissue Recovery process in a 24x7 operations environment. This role focuses on assigning daily activities, ensuring consistent execution of recovery procedures, monitoring productivity, and reporting outcomes to the department manager. The position serves as the subject matter expert and process leader, supporting recovery staff member through real-time guidance, data analysis, and process optimization.

Requirements

Degree in Biologic Sciences or equivalent degree/certification/diploma in an allied health field. Prior work experience within the donation industry may substitute for educational requirements.
Minimum of two years’ experience working in organ or tissue procurement or transplantation with significant knowledge of all aspects of organ, eye and/or tissue banking.
Ability to use critical thinking skills and work efficiently in high stress situations.
Participate in or conduct crucial conversations.
Maintain a current valid driver’s license and be insurable through IDN’s insurance.
Skill and ability to effectively use computers and computer software including word processing, databases, spreadsheets, Internet tools, and electronic mail.
Effectively communicate both verbally and in writing when representing IDN; work well with others; take and give direction; demonstrate effective problem-solving skills; ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
Ability to effectively and professionally represent IDN in local and national venues.
Duties of the position require travel or onsite response to execute essential job functions required in the facilitation of the donation process.
Lift equipment and supplies weighing up to 50 lbs.
Assist with physical lifting of donors.
Mental and visual fatigue associated with detailed work.
Stand for long periods of time in an embalming room environment.
Use of sharp surgical instruments which may cause damage or injury if used incorrectly.
Exposure to biohazardous materials such as blood, other body fluids, and communicable diseases and formaldehyde. Universal precautions and use of personal protective equipment is required.
Drive vehicle under various weather and physical conditions that may lead to visual and mental fatigue.
Stooping, kneeling, reaching, and handling (seizing, holding, grasping, turning or otherwise working with hands).
Express ideas verbally and convey detailed or important spoken information.
Receive detailed information through oral and auditory communication.
Must receive required vaccines based on outlined schedules to protect our employees, healthcare personnel, donors, recipients, and families we may come into contact. (e.g., Influenza obtained annually by December 1st.)

Nice To Haves

CTBS certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Allocate and prioritize resources to support recovery efforts and case tasks; manage team schedules to ensure adequate coverage; provide frontline support as needed; and make high-level decisions to resolve clinical or logistical challenges.
Monitor and evaluate process performance across key operational areas, track productivity and recovery metrics, and deliver data-driven insights to leadership; collaborate with the training team to identify gaps and continuously improve workflows and performance outcomes.
Support onboarding, competency assessments, preceptor identification, and succession planning to maintain a skilled, resilient recovery team.
Oversee and enhance the training program, including onboarding and competency validation processes, to ensure consistent readiness and technical proficiency in tissue recovery practices.
Build and maintain strong relationships with tissue processors, transplant centers, hospital partners, coroners, and funeral homes to optimize case coordination and graft utilization.
Use recovery data to identify trends, lead root-cause analyses, drive process changes, and advance continuous improvement initiatives.
Serve as a technical resource for recovery personnel, offering guidance on best practices, surgical techniques, and decision-making during tissue recovery procedures.