Surgical Tech - Tissue Recovery

The Tissue Recovery Coordinator plays a vital, hands-on role in advancing CORE’s life-saving mission by supporting organ, tissue, and cornea donation. This position offers meaningful, purpose-driven work in a dynamic clinical environment and is ideal for individuals who are passionate about patient care, precision, and service to others.

Working under the direction of the Director of Tissue Procurement Operations, the Tissue Recovery Coordinator is responsible for the respectful and compliant recovery of transplantable tissue, corneas, and research organs and tissues from post-mortem donors. All activities are performed in strict accordance with FDA current Good Tissue Practices (cGTP) and Association for Advancing Tissue and Biologics (AATB) standards and applicable regulatory requirements.

This role also includes providing dignified post-mortem care to organ, tissue, and cornea donors, ensuring that every donor is honored with the highest level of professionalism and respect. The Tissue Recovery Coordinator is expected to develop and maintain strong working knowledge of CORE policies and procedures related to tissue recovery, tissue packaging, eye recovery, specimen collection, and organ packaging and transport in accordance with CORE and all applicable regulatory requirements.

CORE is committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and mission-driven workplace where all team members’ contributions make a direct impact on saving and enhancing lives.

The Tissue Recovery Coordinator plays an active role in supporting and positively educating health care professionals regarding the donation and recovery process. They contribute to maintaining a safe, injury-free, and fire-safe work environment by following established safety protocols and reporting potential hazards.

The Tissue Recovery Coordinator is expected to maintain knowledge of and work in compliance with applicable regulatory and accreditation standards, including FDA Current Good Tissue Practices (cGTP), Association for Advancing Tissue and Biologics (AATB) Standards, Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) standards, and all applicable state and local regulations.

JOB DESCRIPTION – TISSUE RECOVERY COORDINATOR

Strong interpersonal skills are essential, along with the ability to collaborate effectively and contribute to a respectful, inclusive, and mission-driven workplace that supports the success of CORE’s operations.

The Tissue Recovery Coordinator position requires relevant professional or educational experience that demonstrates the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, clinical, technical, or regulated environment. Prior experience in healthcare, laboratory, surgical, forensic, mortuary, emergency response, military, or other hands-on technical fields is preferred but not required. Candidates with transferable skills, strong attention to detail, and a demonstrated ability to learn complex procedures in a highly regulated setting are encouraged to apply.

Successful candidates will demonstrate strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, along with sound independent judgment. The ideal candidate will be able to work effectively and respectfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds and must consistently demonstrate professionalism, integrity, and a high level of ethical conduct. A commitment to honoring donors, donor families, and CORE partners is essential.

Experience with sterile technique is preferred. The selected candidate must successfully complete a comprehensive six (6)-month training program and demonstrate competency in all required recovery and documentation skills. A genuine commitment to supporting and advancing the tissue donation mission is required.

This is a fully on-site, in-person position and is not eligible for remote or hybrid work. This role requires the ability to work extended, on-call, and unpredictable hours, including shifts that may meet or exceed twenty-four (24) consecutive hours depending on operational need.

Candidates must be able to lift up to sixty (60) pounds, possess good manual dexterity and visual acuity required to perform tissue recovery procedures, and meet physical demands of the role. A valid state driver’s license is required, and the ability to obtain a passport within six (6) months of hire.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $29.98 per hour

Experience:

• Emergency medicine: 1 year (Preferred)
• Surgical Technologist: 1 year (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Pittsburgh, PA 15238 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Pittsburgh, PA 15238: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person