Recovery Technician (Metro PT)

A medical technician position located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/Saint Paul, MN whose primary responsibility is the surgical recovery of human ocular tissue for both transplantation and research/educational purposes. Duties also include assisting with tissue processing, sterilization, equipment preparation, distribution, tissue and specimen delivery. Recovery staff are required to comply with LGS (Lions Gift of Sight), EBAA (Eye Bank Association of America), and FDA (Food & Drug Administration) policies, procedures, standards, and regulations.

This is a part time (0.50 to 0.75 FTE) position with a variable schedule including days, nights, evenings, weekends, and holidays. The nature of this position necessitates availability by phone when scheduled. Travel is required throughout the assigned coverage area, using primarily University-owned vehicles. Tissue recovery staff are considered "essential employees" as they are expected to complete these duties during emergency closures unless specifically instructed not to report to work at these times.

This is a temporary position expected to last through November 3, 2025, with the possibility of extension based on satisfactory performance, availability of work, and departmental/ grant funding.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

I. Tissue Recovery - 70%:

A. Respond to calls from the donor coordinator within 10 minutes, when on call.

B. Tissue recovery

1.Travel to assigned facilities.
2.Adhere to facility expectations regarding check in, check out, facility requests, including any medical examiner restrictions or requests.
3 Receive and verify legal authorization for eye donation.
4.Tissue eligibility duties:

a) Perform external exam of the body and eyes.
b) Obtain adequate blood sample.
c) Collect medical, laboratory, and other data to ensure tissue quality.

5 Prepare donors for recovery within procedural guidelines.
6.Perform whole eye enucleation or in situ corneal excision as directed.

7.Package tissue and specimen.
8. Clean, restore, and reposition the donor following recovery.

C. Provide excellent customer service by treating donors with dignity and respect, families with compassion, and facilities with professionalism and cleanliness.

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

II. Operations - 30%:

A. Package and deliver tissue and specimens.
B. Maintain annual tissue recovery certifications and complete required training.

C. Support laboratory, distribution, coordination, referral, and partner relations.

D. Respond to supervisor feedback and meet established tissue quality standards.

E. Host visiting observers and assist in the training of new technicians.
F. Attend and actively participate in meetings and complete performance assessments at the request of supervisors & managers.
G. Perform other projects as assigned by supervisor.

III. Positions Overall General Responsibilities:

A. Practice safe work habits at all times.
B. Respond to calls during assigned on-call shifts.
C. Maintain professional work habits, communication skills, appearance, documentation, etc.
D. Practice effective, respectful, and proactive communications with all LGS staff and with staff at partner organizations.
E. 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 included in the application materials.

Required Qualifications:

• At least 18 years of age
• BA/BS degree or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least four years
• 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 a valid driver's 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 fields.
• 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, FDAs Good Tissue Practice
• Knowledgeable about general disease processes, signs, symptoms, and infectious disease

The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences and its success is built upon the innovation and drive of every member of our team, from faculty to administrators to technicians. Put simply, all of us are driven to provide the best eye care for our patients, discover new treatments, and educate the next generation of eye care professionals.

For more information, please visit our website at https://med.umn.edu/Ophthalmology.

Lions Gift of Sight (formerly Minnesota Lions Eye Bank) was established after the partnership between the Lions and the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Neurosciences came to life in 1960, providing donor eye tissue for transplant, research, and teaching and promoting donation through education. Lions Gift of Sight has helped restore sight to more than 22,000 people by providing cornea tissue for transplantation and is one of the largest and most successful eye banks in the world.

For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.lionsgiftofsight.org/

Pay Range: $26.19 to $29.70, with most offers expected to fall in the middle of this range.

Time Appointment: 50-75% Appointment (20-30 hours per week)

Position Type: Civil-Service Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, pharmacy, and disability plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

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 America's 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).