Tissue Recovery Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

The Recovery Technician will service in the greater Rochester, MN area. Lions Gift of Sight is homed in St. Paul.

Perform Eye Tissue Recoveries - 75%

• Respond to pages or calls from donor coordinator within 10 minutes, when on call, and provide clear and concise information to ensure timeliness and efficiency
• Travel to assigned facilities
• Adhere to facility expectations regarding check in, check out, facility requests, including any medical examiner restrictions or requests
• Receive and verify legal authorization for eye donation
• Confirm the identity of the donor
• Tissue eligibility duties
  • Perform external exam of the body and eyes
  • Obtain adequate blood sample
  • Collect medical, laboratory, and other data to ensure tissue quality
• Prepare donors for recovery within procedural guidelines
• Perform surgical scrub per AORN standards
• Perform whole eye enucleation or in situ corneal excision as directed
• Accurately and legibly label all tissue and specimens
• Package tissue, instruments, and documentation per policy
• Clean, restore, and reposition the donor following recovery
• Provide excellent customer service by treating donors with dignity and respect, families with compassion, and facilities with professionalism and cleanliness

Documentation - 15%

• Complete required documentation for each procedure and submit it for inclusion in the individuals medical record and LGS case file, paper form or electronically

Special Projects - 10%

• Maintain annual tissue recovery certifications and complete required training
• Respond to supervisor feedback and meet established tissue quality standards
• Host visiting observers and assist in the training of new technicians
• Attend and actively participate in meetings and complete performance assessments at the request of supervisors & managers
• Support laboratory, distribution, coordination, referral, and partner relations
• Perform other projects as assigned by supervisor

General Responsibilities -  At all times

• Practice safe work habits
• Carry a cell phone or pager during assigned call shifts
• Maintain professional work habits, communication skills, appearance, documentation, etc.
• Practice effective, respectful, and proactive communications with all LGS staff and with staff at partner organizations
• Be an advocate for organ, eye, and tissue donation as we work to advance the LGS mission to restore sight through eye donation

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials

Required Qualifications

• At least 18 years of age
• High School Diploma or GED
• Ability to work independently or with minimal supervision and dynamically prioritize tasks
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to make detailed observations and document them clearly and completely
• Comfortable working with deceased individuals
• Ability to understand and adhere to sterile and aseptic technique, universal precautions, and LGS policies and procedures
• Excellent fine motor skills to perform surgical procedures delicately and precisely
• Capability to use standard office and business equipment
• Maintain valid drivers license and adhere to University of Minnesota & Lions Gift of Sight vehicle use policies. Must maintain reliable transportation at all times
• Ability to work varying hours, nights, and weekends
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time and shift/move weights of 250+ lbs

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years of post-high school work experience or education in donation, bioscience, healthcare, or related field
• Experience with cadavers or deceased individuals, surgical techniques, aseptic technique, lab procedures, and microscopy
• Knowledge of human and/or eye anatomy and related medical terminology
• Understanding of HIPAA guidelines, biohazard safety, and FDAs Good Tissue Practice
• Knowledgeable about general disease processes, signs, symptoms, and infectious disease

Lions Gift of Sight

Lions Gift of Sight (formerly Minnesota Lions Eye Bank), a partnership between the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Neurosciences and Minnesota Lions club members, has provided donor eye tissue for sight-saving corneal transplants, research, and education for more than 50 years. One of the most successful eye banks in the world, the Lions Gift of Sight has helped restore sight to more than 29,000 people. In addition, more than 1,000 eyes or corneas are dedicated to research every year.

For more information please visit: https://www.lionsgiftofsight.org/

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences

The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences (OVNS) has experts in all six subspecialty areas of ophthalmology. OVNS ophthalmologists are among the best in the world, treating the full spectrum of health issues relating to the eye, including the most complicated and challenging cases of glaucoma, cataracts, conditions of the retina and cornea, and ocular cancer. Approximately 71,000 patients are seen annually in OVNS treatment centers, and team members, from faculty to technicians to administrators, are dedicated to providing excellent patient care, discovering new treatments, and educating the next generation of eye care professionals.

For more information please visit our website at: http://www.ophthalmology.umn.edu/

Pay Range: $20.00 - $30.00; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications.  Learn more about retirement plans.

Applications must be submitted online.  To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.  You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission.  The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.  To learn more about diversity at the U:  http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of Americas Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).