Surgical Coordinator 1

Join LifeLink — Join a Life Saving Team!

About LifeLink
More than four decades ago, a visionary group of innovators, led by renowned nephrologist Dr. Dana Shires, made a life-changing commitment—to save lives through organ and tissue donation. From that bold beginning, LifeLink Foundation was established – founded with heart, purpose, and a mission that still guides us today.

What started as a nonprofit with big dreams has grown into a vision-driven organization of more than 700 dedicated professionals across west-central Florida, Georgia, parts of South Carolina, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

At LifeLink, we are united by our mission: To honor donors and save lives through organ and tissue donation.

Our vision remains clear: To maximize the gift of life while giving hope to donor families and transplant patients.

We are grounded in the values that shape our work and culture—Compassion. Excellence. Legacy. People. Quality.

If you’re inspired by purpose, driven by impact, and ready to help save and heal lives, LifeLink is the place for you.

What You’ll Do
As a Surgical Coordinator 1, you will directly contribute to LifeLink’s life-saving mission.

The Surgical Coordinator I (“SC I”) supports the mission, goals, and strategic plan of LifeLink Foundation, Inc. (“LifeLink”) by coordinating surgical aspects of organ and tissue procurement, preservation, and packaging in accordance with LifeLink policies and applicable regulations. The SC I is a skilled clinical professional responsible for ensuring that donated organs and tissues are recovered in a manner that maximizes their potential for transplantation, therapy, research, or education. Additionally, the SC I assists with hospital development initiatives and provides professional education, as needed.

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain the highest standards of professional conduct and interpersonal relationship development; promoting a positive and collaborative work environment aligned with the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
• Coordinate and perform all designated aspects of the organ recovery, preservation, and packaging process in compliance with LifeLink policies and applicable regulations.
• Provide on-call coverage and support for deceased donor procurement, organ preservation, and related activities, as assigned.
• Demonstrate proficiency in sterile technique, universal precautions, infection control, and correct use of surgical instruments and supplies.
• Prepare, brief, and assist operating room (“OR”) staff throughout the organ and tissue recovery process, ensuring a coordinated surgical workflow, assuring a coordinated and informed plan for the sequence of recovery events with all surgical personnel.
• Set up, maintain, and turn over the OR before, during, and after recovery procedures, including post-mortem care.
• Prepare the OR for organ recovery by ensuring all required surgical supplies, instruments, equipment, slush, preservation solutions, and other necessary materials are available and arranged appropriately.
• Coordinate the sterilization of specialized surgical instruments, if necessary.
• Maintain appropriate conditions for flush solutions, additives, and preservation media throughout the surgical recovery process.
• Demonstrate knowledge of normal and variant human anatomy, recognizing anatomical structures and components relevant to organ recovery, packaging, and documentation.
• Recognize and respond to intraoperative complications.
• Understand and apply proper techniques for organ and tissue dissection, recovery, preparation and preservation.
• Serve as the surgical first assist during donor organ recovery procedures, supporting the lead surgeon in both sterile and non-sterile tasks, if necessary.
• Perform recovery of organs and tissues intended for research, education, or training.
• Ensure that all organs, tissues, and specimens are properly packaged and labeled in compliance with regulatory and safety requirements; maintaining chain of custody and supporting safe, compliant transport.
• Perform designated aspects of preparing organs for machine perfusion and ensuring proper function and integrity.
• Operate, monitor, and adjust machine perfusion systems to optimize organ preservation and assess organ viability.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues with machine perfusion equipment or protocols during organ preservation.
• Perform the packaging, labeling, handling, and shipping of organs in a manner that ensures their arrival without compromise to the quality of the organ or other specimen.
• Ensure proper chain of custody, secure storage, and timely transport of specimens to designated pathology or laboratory services.
• Facilitate real-time communication with designated stakeholders throughout the organ recovery and allocation process, including appropriate hospital, transplant, and medical examiner personnel.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of all required documentation.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of donor and recipient information in accordance with LifeLink policy and applicable privacy law.
• Responsible for participating in quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) activities for the OPO as outlined in the OPO QAPI Plan.
• Remain current on advances in organ recovery techniques and relevant technologies while maintaining the required certifications.
• Assists with hospital development initiatives and provides professional education.
• Assist with orientation of LifeLink staff regarding surgical recovery procedures, sterile technique, and equipment use.
• Evaluates self-performance by comparing actual outcomes to expectations.
• Fulfill additional individual and departmental directives, obligations, and responsibilities, as designated.

Who You Are

• Passionate about helping others and making a difference
• Aligned with LifeLink’s core values of Compassion, Excellence, Legacy, People, and Quality
• Advanced technical, organizational, communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills required, both at the start of a shift and after 20–40 hours without sleep.
• Current valid state driver license with a good driving record.
• Travel by automobile and air, as required, to fulfill job duties for assigned cases.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• A collaborator who thrives in a mission-first environment

Working Conditions:

High levels of stress due to the emotional and physical demands of the position. Prolonged periods of standing required. Local and state-wide auto travel required. Variable and rotating on-call schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays, depending on call requirements and case duration. Work in a team-oriented and interactive environment. Hazardous conditions include, but are not limited to, possible exposure to blood or bodily fluids from potentially infected donors and the potential of obtaining cuts and /or punctures to skin from sharp instruments and equipment.

OSHA Risk Classification: High

Why LifeLink?

• Be part of an organization with a legacy of saving lives and giving hope
• Join a passionate and supportive team across Florida, Georgia, and Puerto Rico
• COMPANY PAID Medical, Dental, Disability & Life Insurance
• Generous COMPANY PAID Pension Plan for your Retirement
• Paid Vacation, Sick Days & Holidays
• Growth opportunities in a mission-driven, high-impact nonprofit
• Work with purpose, knowing your efforts directly touch lives

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
LifeLink is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment that reflects the communities we serve.

Ready to Help Change Lives?
Your next career move could be the most meaningful one yet.