A medical technician supervisory position located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/Saint Paul, MN with the primary responsibility of leading the Lions Gift of Sight metro recovery team. The individual in this role supervises a team of 9-12 technicians, in both full-time and part-time roles, available 24/7 to recover and transport donated human eye tissue. The nature of this position necessitates availability by phone when scheduled and periodic local and regional travel.

Strong leadership and technical skills are essential for success in this position as they lead a team of technicians whose responsibilities are both technical and time-sensitive. The Recovery Supervisor is required to adhere to all Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) Food & Drug Administration (FDA), and Lions Gift of Sight (LGS) policies, procedures, standards, and regulations. Lions Gift of Sight is an entity of the Department of Ophthalmology within the University of Minnesota Medical School.

This is a full-time (0.75+ FTE) benefits-eligible position consisting of both on-duty and on-call shifts, including the option to work with flexibility, on-duty off-site. Shift times will vary and include day, evening, overnight, weekend, and holiday shifts. Recovery staff are considered “essential employees” and are expected to perform these duties during emergency closures unless specifically instructed not to report to work at these times.

Description of Duties:

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Leadership / Administrative - 50%

• Recruit and hire recovery team members
  • Maintain adequate staffing levels and determine, together with the Director of Technical Operations, an effective staffing model
  • Recruit qualified candidates and fill positions as needed
• Supervise and Support recovery team members
  • Schedule 24/7 coverage in recovery region
  • Provide leadership and support to recovery team members, including accountability to policies and procedures, and attendance. Provide immediate support to technicians experiencing challenges in the field including technical and moral support
  • Track performance measures; create and deliver reports
  • Monitor and approve employee payroll submissions
  • Support the communications and donor development teams by attending meetings with key stakeholders both internally and externally
  • Respond to employee questions, concerns, and complaints as needed
  • Discuss personnel problems with the supervisor before carrying out any disciplinary action, including delivering and documenting verbal and written warnings regarding performance issues
  • Plan and execute regular team meetings, maintain meeting agendas and training records
• Vehicles
  • Coordinate vehicle maintenance with Fleet Service and department personnel
  • Ensure all drivers are authorized to drive per university and LGS policy. Provide required information to department personnel
  • Monitor driving practices and enforce applicable policies and safe driving practices for metro recovery staff

Training - 25%

• Maintain personal tissue recovery trainer certifications and complete required training
• Provide training to metro recovery team members and periodically outstate recovery team members, as needed. Inform team of relevant procedure and policy changes
• Provide remedial training and follow up reinforcement as needed, either hands on, verbally or via email
• Maintain and improve the recovery training program, including documentation, content, assessments, and records
• Monitor training modules for accuracy and needed upgrades and review and edit changes as requested. Direct qualified team members to assist in maintaining the training program by performing related tasks

Tissue Recovery & Laboratory - 15%

• Respond to calls from the donor coordinator within 10 minutes, when on call, and provide clear and concise information to ensure timeliness and efficiency
• Tissue recovery
  • Retrieve supplies from designated location
  • Receive and verify legal authorization for eye donation
  • Travel to assigned facilities
  • Adhere to facility expectations regarding check in, check out, and facility requests, including any medical examiner restrictions or requests
  • Confirm the identity of the donor
  • Tissue eligibility duties
    • Perform external exam of the body and eyes
    • Obtain adequate blood sample
    • Collect medical, laboratory, and other data to ensure tissue quality
  • Prepare donors for recovery within procedural guidelines
  • Perform surgical scrub per AORN standards
  • Perform in situ corneal excision as directed
  • Accurately and legibly label tissue
  • Package tissue, instruments, and documentation per policy
  • Clean, restore, and reposition the donor following recovery
• Provide excellent customer service by treating donors with dignity and respect, families with compassion, and facilities with professionalism and cleanliness.
• Documentation - complete required documentation for each procedure and submit it for inclusion in the individuals medical record and LGS case file in paper form or electronically
• Laboratory - assist with tissue evaluation, processing, sterilization, equipment and supply preparation, and specimen delivery

Special Projects - 10%

• Respond to supervisor feedback and meet established tissue quality standards
• Host visiting observers and assist in the training of new technicians
• Attend and actively participate in meetings and complete performance assessments at the request of supervisors & managers
• Support the Donor Development Team by creating and maintaining strong relationships with our recovery facilities
• Perform other projects as assigned by the supervisor

General Responsibilities -  At all times

• Practice safe work habits at all times
• Carry a cell phone or pager during assigned call shifts
• Maintain professional work habits, communication skills, appearance, documentation, etc.
• Practice effective, respectful, and proactive communications with all LGS staff and with staff at partner organizations
• Be an advocate for organ, eye, and tissue donation to advance the LGS mission to restore sight through eye donation