Director of Tissue Services Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates

Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates / Life Center is seeking a Director of Tissue Services . The Director of Tissue Services is responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of the Tissue Services and Donation Support Services departments.

This role provides direction, education, and mentoring throughout the Tissue Services Department as well as ensures compliance with all regulatory and accreditation standards, oversees tissue recovery and donation support operations, and drives continuous improvement in quality and efficiency.

The Tissue Services Director will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to advance the mission of saving and enhancing lives through organ, tissue and eye donation.

Are you the right candidate for this opportunity Make sure to read the full description below.

Location : Louisville, KY; Lexington, KY; or Cincinnati, OH

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

Position may involve performing other duties as required, which may not be mentioned below. Specific functions may change from time to time.

Leadership & Operational Oversight

• Collaborates with the VP of Tissue Operations to plan and then execute both long- and short-term goals of the Tissue Services and Donation Support Services departments which align with the overall organizational goals, adjusting implementation plans as needed.
• Leads and mentors the leadership staff of the tissue and donation support services teams, providing direction on employee, departmental operations, and regulatory matters while promoting a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
• Develops and implements policies and procedures that ensure efficient and effective tissue recovery and donation support operations.
• Oversees the hiring, education, and performance management processes of Tissue Services and Donation Support Services staff in conjunction with managers.
• Establishes and outlines clear roles, responsibilities, and job expectations and works with human resources on job description development.
• Sets appropriate staffing levels to meet goals and oversees the staff schedule as needed in conjunction with managers. In cases of extraordinary need, supports donation support services and / or tissue recovery services staffing to ensure the ability to honor the gift of donation.
• Monitors and analyzes key performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Assists the VP of Tissue Services in acting as a resource for healthcare personnel as needed.
• Acts as Administrator On-Call (AOC) for Tissue Services as needed.

Quality & Compliance

• Works with the VP of Tissue Services to ensure that tissue recovery and donation support processes comply with all applicable regulatory and accreditation standards (e.g., UNOS, FDA, AATB).
• Participates in regular audits and inspections to ensure compliance with regulatory and accreditation requirements.
• Coordinates with the Performance Excellence team to investigate and resolve any incidents or non-conformances.
• Maintains and updates department related SOPs and forms annually.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Works with Tissue Services leadership to serve as a resource for other agencies involved in the donation process as requested by the Coroner / Funeral Home Liaison or Partnership Services team.
• Assists the partnership services team in fostering strong relationships with hospitals, medical examiners, and other key partners to facilitate tissue donation.
• Represents the Tissue and Donation Support Services departments as requested in meetings with regulatory agencies, accreditation bodies, and other external stakeholders.
• Works collaboratively with all departments within KODA / LC to ensure the maximization of organ and tissue donation.

Strategic & Financial Planning

• Monitors and evaluates performance using data and continually focuses on improvement efforts to maximize operations.
• Assists the VP of Tissue Operations in the development and monitoring of metrics and data dashboards.
• Assists in the development and management of the departmental budget, ensuring efficient use of resources.
• Identifies opportunities for cost savings and operational efficiencies.
• Participates in the development and implementation of the organization’s strategic plan.
• Stays informed about industry trends and advancements to ensure the OPO remains at the forefront of tissue recovery and donation support practices.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

• Education : Bachelor’s degree in biology, healthcare-related, business administration, or similar required.
• Experience : A minimum of 5 years of experience in donation support, tissue recovery, organ procurement, or a related field, with at least 3 years in a leadership role in tissue banking or OPO required.
• Licensure, Certification, and / or Registration : Certified Tissue Banking Specialist (CTBS) preferred.

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