Job Summary:

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Reporting to the Clinical Operations Manager, Organ Donation, the Organ Recovery Assistant (ORA) functions as an integral part of the Organ Donation and Hospital Development (ODHD) team.
As a member of an integrated organ recovery surgical team, the ORA performs the scrub nurse role and duties in a donor hospital operating room environment in collaboration with the Surgical Recovery Specialist. The duties performed intra-operatively are in accordance with established standards and procedures as outlined in the British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals (BCCNP), Licensed Practice Nurses Association of BC (LPNABC), Operating Room Nurses of Canada (ORNAC) and BC Transplant (BCT) Standard Operating Procedures.

Duties/Accountabilities:

• Performs duties within the scope of practice of a Peri-operative Nurse/Technologist.

• Responsible for the setup and preparation of surgical procedures, including scrubbing in, setting up equipment, and handing surgical instruments to the surgeon.

• Participates in the recovery of organs by responding to the intra-operative requirements of each individual donor case as directed by the Surgical Recovery Specialist, and according to physician’s orders.

• Performs other related duties to support the donor hospital and BCT recovery team for the recovery of organs and tissues for transplantation. (e.g., Assists donor hospital OR staff, as appropriate).

• Participates in both deceased and living donor cases.

• Participates in organ import case where the organ will require staff escort on a commercial flight.

• Participates in team meetings as required.

• Assists with the orientation and training of new Organ Recovery Assistants.

• Monitors and maintains surgical supplies and equipment necessary for organ retrieval, perfusion and packaging, including monitoring equipment and supplies.

• Participates in training and on-going professional development within the relevant areas of practice.

• Participates in a call rotation which may be physically demanding.

Qualifications:

A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to Graduation from an approved school of nursing, completion of a recognized OR program, or graduation from a Surgical Scrub Technologist Program. In addition to 3 years recent experience in an Operating Room/ Surgical Suite setting. Current CPR-Basic Certification recommended. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team environment. Ability to respond to the dynamic circumstances in a donor surgery. Ability to operate standard operating room, and BC Transplant-specific equipment. Ability to organize workload and set priorities in a fast-paced surgical setting. Valid passport and eligibility to travel to/from the US. Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle. Physical ability to carry out the duties of the job, including flying in small planes.