Full-Time
Tissue Recovery Coordinator 1
Donor Network West
201-500 employees
Organ procurement and tissue recovery nonprofit
Compensation Overview
$25.84 - $28.68/hr
Chico, CA, USA
In Person
Associate's
 Medical, Clinical & Veterinary (1) |
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- Associate degree in biological sciences/allied healthcare/mortuary science, or completion of a surgical technology program, or an emergency medical services program.
- Two years of work experience in a related field may be substituted for educational requirement.
- Must maintain a valid California or Nevada driver’s license and current vehicle insurance based on applicable state minimum insurance coverage standards.
- Must have reliable personal automobile transportation to be used with company reimbursement using IRS guidelines.
- Employee may be required to drive personal vehicle while functioning in the role.
- Must be able to travel within the service area by ground or air.
- Ability to work a minimum of a 12-hour shift, with the requirement of staying past shift when required by donor volume and staffing, with few breaks. The department schedule may change over time to meet staffing needs for tissue recovery. The schedule includes 7, 12-hour shifts per pay period. The employee is required to work weekends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), nights and holidays. Holiday requirement includes work on 5 holiday shifts per calendar year.
- Ability to handle confidentiality of all donor/recipient information.
- Maintains recovery performance metrics that are consistent with department goals.
- Arrives to work and is clocked in ready to work at the start of assigned shift.
- Required to have a sense of urgency for a clinical event and evaluate timeframes of recovery needs.
- Reviews donor authorization and ensures proper identification of the donor and tissue(s) authorized for recovery.
- Review the donor medical history to the same standard as documented in the hospital chart, electronic donor record and the Uniform Donor Risk Assessment Interview (UDRAI).
- Obtains medical records and/or diagnostic samples from the hospital for clinical events as needed.
- Assembles required supplies for tissue recovery and effectively utilizes the material management inventory system maintaining accurate levels of inventory.
- Responsible for duties associated with maintaining the Recovery Suite including cleaning, inventory control, receiving deliveries, etc.
- Performs blood draw or collects specimens and completes the preparation steps for surgical dissection of tissue(s).
- Effectively performs the surgical recovery of skin and adipose.
- Demonstrates annual proficiency of those recovery skills.
- Performs a thorough reconstruction of donor following the recovery of tissue.
- Performs and verifies packaging and labeling of specimens and tissues recovered for testing, research, and/or transplant.
- Facilitates the timely shipping of diagnostic samples, tissues, and medical records to appropriate laboratories and processors.
- Coordinates time management on the tissue recovery donor event with assigned tissue recovery coordinator peers.
- Maintains strong attention to detail, excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Establishes and maintains basic knowledge of medical terminology, general anatomy, and disease processes.
- Reviews policies, procedures and trainings as directed to aid in the learning process prior to effective/due dates.
- Attends and actively participates in departmental and organization meetings.
- Learns and maintains basic knowledge of federal, state, and industry laws/regulations related to tissue practices including those of all tissue processors, American Association of Tissue Banks, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Eye Bank Association of America, and Food and Drug Administration.
- Trains staff in tissue recovery techniques that the coordinator is deemed proficient in, including ability to explain anatomical and technical concepts/terms.
- Reads and comprehends patient charts.
- Sets and meets realistic goals and deadlines.
- Maintains professionalism and poise in stressful, complex, and continuously changing situations.
- Maintains a high standard of integrity and ethical behavior, resolving conflicts in an open, direct and appropriate manner.
- Understands inter-relationships of departments and services provided by Donor Network West.
- Performs additional tasks as needed to support donation such as Donor Operations, Quality, Data, and Donor Information.
- Certified Tissue Banking Specialist (CTBS)
- Certified Eye Banking Specialist (CEBT)
- Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)
- Hospital/clinical experience; tissue recovery experience; previous experience with sterile technique and surgical procedures preferred.
Donor Network West coordinates organ, eye, and tissue donation for Northern California and Northern Nevada. As a federally designated nonprofit, it partners with 175 hospitals, doctors, nurses, funeral homes, coroners, and medical examiners to recover and allocate organs and tissues for transplantation and research. Donor consent and family support initiate the process, followed by recovery, preservation, and allocation through systems like UNOS and AATB. Its Donate Life affiliation and broad regional partnerships, plus nonprofit status, help it save and heal lives by increasing donations and supporting related research.
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
San Ramon, California
Founded
N/A
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See people who can refer or advise you
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- April 2026 report showed 1,114 recipients helped and 5,544 research donations.
- May 2026 UCSF partnership expanded VITAL Core; Cell and Science publications followed.
- January and August 2026 leadership hires signal operational expansion, not retrenchment.
What critics are saying
- Renown won CMS approval in 2025, threatening Donor Network West's exclusive Nevada reach.
- Federal court denied its preliminary injunction in March 2025, weakening leverage.
- Nevada Donor Network litigation keeps management distracted while competitors press service-area claims.
What makes Donor Network West unique
- CMS-designated OPO for 45 counties across northern California and northern Nevada.
- Owns research tissue pipeline; VITAL Core scaled from eight to 42 laboratories.
- Deep hospital and DMV ties anchor donor registration and recovery workflows.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Paid Vacation
Paid Holidays
Hybrid Work Options
Flexible Work Hours
Remote Work Options
Wellness Program
Mental Health Support
Conference Attendance Budget
Professional Development Budget
Stock Options
Company Equity
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Phone/Internet Stipend
Home Office Stipend
Paid Sick Leave
Company News
Donor Network West has appointed Corina B. Clark as vice president and chief operating officer. Clark joins the organisation with 10 years of healthcare and executive leadership experience spanning hospital, ambulatory, and community health settings. Clark initially joined Donor Network West six months ago as fractional COO before being appointed to the permanent role. In her position, she will oversee clinical operations, strategic initiatives, and organisational performance supporting the organisation's organ and tissue donation mission. Before joining Donor Network West, Clark held executive leadership roles with UCLA Health, Salinas Valley Health, and the San Francisco Health Network. She is a registered respiratory therapist and holds a master's degree in public administration with a concentration in healthcare leadership.
Donor Network West and Team CalNev secure Team Champion Award at Transplant Games of America. Jul 01, 2026, 17:00 ET 60 athletes secured 126 medals and top honors at celebratory event for donors and recipients SAN RAMON, Calif., July 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Representing "Team CalNev," Donor Network West and 60 athletes recently attended and competed at the Transplant Games of America in Denver earlier this month. Recipients and living donor athletes secured 126 medals (56 gold, 47 silver and 23 bronze) for Team CalNev as well as the Team Champion Award for the second year in a row. The event was attended by organ, eye and tissue donors and recipients, supporters and caregivers from the northern California and northern Nevada area. "The Transplant Games of America provide an incredible opportunity to honor donors who gave the ultimate gift of life while bringing recipients, supporters and donor families together in a celebratory way," said Janice Whaley, Ph.D., president and CEO of Donor Network West. "We are blessed to have athletes return year-over-year for this event, securing 126 medals and the coveted Team Champion Award in this year's competition." As the organ procurement organization for Northern California and northern Nevada, Donor Network West partnered with a team of 60 athletes in the Transplant Games, including organ transplant recipients, living organ donors and organ donation advocates and supporters. Donor Network West's Team CalNev competed against 42 teams across 20 athletic and recreational competitions to win an impressive 126 medals - 56 gold, 47 silver and 23 bronze - ultimately winning the Team Champion Award, which is awarded to the team that earned the most medals per participant. "Donating organs doesn't just save lives - it restores futures for recipients," said Team CalNev captain Matt De Fina. "Team CalNev members demonstrate at every Transplant Games of America the positive impact of organ donation, showing how recipients who once faced dire situations can go on to run, swim, bike, exercise and compete at high levels." Leading the charge for the regional squad was standout swimmer Miya French. French put on a masterclass in the pool, racking up an astonishing haul of nearly 20 medals. "Competing at a high level shows me that there are no boundaries to what you can do with a transplant," said Miya French, 2026 Team CalNev athlete. "Growing up, my family and close friends never treated me any differently because of my transplant; I was a 'normal' kid who was able to do anything I set my mind to." Donor Network West helps organize and fund Team CalNev as part of its efforts to bridge the gap between hope and healing while helping heal and save lives through organ donation and transplantation. Photos For Use: Photos of the 2026 Team CalNev team can be found here. Photo Credit: Donor Network West About Donor Network West Donor Network West saves and heals lives by facilitating organ and tissue recovery for transplantation and research. Established in 1987, Donor Network West is designated and certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks and serves 45 counties in Northern California and Northern Nevada. The organization partners with the Department of Motor Vehicles and state-authorized donor registries to increase donor registration and awareness. SOURCE Donor Network West
Donor Network West and UCSF establish scalable model to expand real-time access to viable human organs and tissue for research. May 27, 2026, 16:17 ET The VITAL Core program at UCSF connects donated organs and tissues not used for transplant to researchers to advance the field of medical research SAN FRANCISCO, May 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Donor Network West and UCSF announced the result of a five-year collaboration developing a scalable model that secures access to viable, donated organs and tissues not used for transplant for research, helping address a long-standing challenge in the study of human biology. As the federally-designated organ procurement organization serving Northern California and northern Nevada, Donor Network West connects nontransplantable and consented organs and tissues to researchers across the country, including UCSF, in support of scientific and medical discovery. Established in the UCSF Department of Surgery by Dr. James Gardner, the Viable Tissue Acquisition Laboratory program-VITAL Core-enables the rapid recovery and delivery of organs and tissue samples to researchers through a close working relationship with Donor Network West. Each year, thousands of organs and tissues recovered for donation are not suitable for transplant but can still play a critical role in advancing science. The program also honors the wishes of donor families who choose to contribute to research, helping turn their gifts into meaningful scientific progress. The Donor Network West-UCSF partnership has helped close the gap on the shortage of human tissue samples available to researchers. Unlike traditional biobanks, the VITAL Core applies the same rigorous clinical standards used for transplant-approved organs and tissues to samples delivered for scientific research - a quality distinction that matters - ensuring the highest-quality and most timely tissue samples. The program is also designed to be replicated, offering a model that other institutions and organ procurement organizations can adopt nationwide. "The renewed emphasis by the National Institutes of Health on the use of human tissue samples in biological studies presents an opportunity for organ procurement organizations to play a critical role in supplying high-quality specimens for advancing medical research," said Ahmad Salehi MD, Ph.D, senior director of research at Donor Network West. A peer-reviewed article published in the journal Transplantation, co-authored by Dr. Salehi and UCSF's Dr. Gardner, documents the academic and economic impact of VITAL Core and establishes a "road map" for other institutions interested in building similar collaborative programs. The paper details how the program addresses long-standing barriers in human biology research through a real-time, coordinated approach to tissue recovery and delivery. It also charts the program's remarkable growth between 2021 and 2024: participating laboratories grew from eight to 42, tissue types expanded from 15 to 43, and annual sample volume increased sevenfold. Discoveries made possible by these samples have resulted in at least 14 peer-reviewed publications from UCSF researchers, including the high-impact journals Cell and Science. On the economic side, researchers who received samples secured more than $28.6 million in funding during the study period, generating an estimated $70 million in total economic activity. "Our recent peer-reviewed joint publication in the journal Transplantation outlines the development of the VITAL Core and its underlying principles as a paradigm for other academic medical centers and organ procurement organizations," said Dr. Gardner. "None of this would be possible without the leadership and research staff at Donor Network West, and their commitment to ethical stewardship." The VITAL Core is just one part of Donor Network West's broader research mission. The program represents less than 10% of what the organization shares with researchers across the country each year. "Donor Network West's collaboration with UCSF is a perfect example of how organ procurement organizations can rethink the role of organ, eye, and tissue donation to advance science and ultimately benefit patients," said Janice Whaley, Ph.D., president and CEO of Donor Network West. "We are proud to connect organs and tissue to the scientific research community, advancing research and its impact while also honoring the generosity of donors and their families." When Donor Network West shares donated research organ and tissue samples with other institutions, it opens doors for work that might not otherwise be possible. Dana Farber Cancer Institute, the Broad Institute of MIT, and Stanford University are among those that have benefited from access to these samples. "The availability of spleens and other tissues from Donor Network West has been transformative for our research at Stanford, and it has already begun to revolutionize our ability to understand human immunology," said Professor Mark Davis, director of Stanford Institute for Immunity, Transplantation and Infection at Stanford University School of Medicine and the Burt and Marion Avery Family Professor of Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, whose program benefitted from access to Donor Network West organ and tissue samples. "For too long, we have been dependent on animal models, which are only occasionally predictive of human immune responses. Now we can go into great depth to understand these complex interactions in an entirely human system." Researchers interested in learning more about the VITAL Core or requesting inclusion as an investigator or collaborator can visit the VITAL Core webpage to learn more and complete the online form. About Donor Network West Donor Network West saves and heals lives by facilitating organ and tissue recovery for transplantation and research. Established in 1987, Donor Network West is designated and certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB), is a member of the Organ Donation Alliance and is an official Donate Life organization. Donor Network West is federally designated to serve 45 counties in northern California and northern Nevada, Donor Network West partners with the Department of Motor Vehicles and the state-authorized donor registries to help increase donor registration. For information, visit www.DonorNetworkWest.org and follow us on social media: @mydnwest. About UCSF The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is exclusively focused on the health sciences and is dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. UCSF Health, which serves as UCSF's primary academic medical center, includes top-ranked specialty hospitals and other clinical programs, and has affiliations throughout the Bay Area. UCSF School of Medicine also has a regional campus in Fresno. Learn more at ucsf.eduucsf.edu or see our Fact Sheet. SOURCE Donor Network West
Donor Network West and UCSF establish scalable model to expand real-time access to viable human organs and tissue for research. May 27, 2026 san francisco biotechnology Network news news, syndication comments off on Donor Network West and UCSF establish scalable model to expand real-time access to viable human organs and tissue for research. The VITAL Core program at UCSF connects donated organs and tissues not used for transplant to researchers to advance the field of medical research SAN FRANCISCO, May 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Donor Network West and UCSF announced the result of a five-year collaboration developing a...
FRESNO, Calif., Sept. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Returning to Fresno, California for its second year, Donor Network West Foundation's Annual Stride for Hope Run/Walk invites participants to raise funds to support the organ donation community.