Organ Procurement Surgery Physician

Organ Procurement Surgeon

The John and Doris Norton Cardio Thoracic and Transplantation Institute (Norton Thoracic Institute) at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center (Phoenix, AZ) is seeking an Organ Procurement Surgeon(s) to join one of the nation’s leading transplant programs in the country.  The surgeon(s) will be appointed with excellent compensation, comprehensive benefits package and a collegial work environment.  Reporting to the Norton Thoracic Institute Administrative Team (Department Chair, Executive Medical Director and Vice President of Norton Thoracic Institute), the Organ Procurement Surgeon is primarily accountable for the surgical recovery process:  surgical dissection, removal, and preparation of selected donor organs for lung transplantation in the operative setting.

Norton Thoracic Institute has performed over 1,000 lung transplants, over 100 abdominal transplants and is looking to expand.  This unique opportunity allows for the advancement of technical skills and operative experience in organ transplantation.

Essential Job Functions

• Evaluation of transplant organs and organ procurement, including DBD and DCD
• Participation in ex-vivo lung perfusion and familiarity with the organ care system
• Participation in ECMO cannulation
• Assumes on-call surgical recovery responsibility assuring adequate coverage and timely recovery of organs
• Partners with transplant pulmonologist, surgeon and designated donor team for the clinical evaluation and management of potential and consented organ donors
• Provides clinical leadership throughout the donation process in concert with the transplant pulmonologists and surgeons
• Advises staff regarding the safety and suitability of donor organs and communicates with the transplant center as necessary to discuss potential issue with donor

Located conveniently in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center is a 571-bed, not-for-profit hospital that provides a wide range of health, social and support services.  Founded in 1895 by the Sisters of Mercy, St. Joseph's was the first hospital in the Phoenix area, is the flagship hospital of Dignity Health, and a member of CommonSpirit Health, the largest not-for-profit health system in the US.  More than 125 years later, St. Joseph's remains dedicated to its mission of caring for the poor and underserved. 

We are incredibly proud to be a nationally recognized center for quality quaternary care, medical education, and research. St. Joseph's includes the internationally renowned Barrow Neurological Institute, Norton Thoracic Institute, Dignity Health Cancer Institute, Ivy Brain Tumor Center, and St. Joseph's Level I Trauma Center (which is verified by the American College of Surgeons). The hospital is also a respected center for high-risk obstetrics, neuro-rehabilitation, orthopedics, and other medical services. St. Joseph's is considered a sought-after destination hospital for treating the most complex cases from throughout the world. Every day, approximately 20 percent of the hospital's patients have traveled from outside of Arizona and the United States to seek treatment at St. Joseph's.

U.S News & World Report routinely ranks St. Joseph's among the top hospitals in the United States for neurology and neurosurgery.  Also, St. Joseph's boasts the Creighton University School of Medicine at St. Joseph's and a strategic alliance with Phoenix Children's Hospital. 

St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center has consistently been named an outstanding place to work and one of Arizona's healthiest employers.  Grow your career with one of Arizona's Most Admired Companies.

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Responsibilities

• Perform surgical organ recovery to local and national standards for organ transplantation
• Primary clinical duties for this position will include organ procurement with some patient care responsibilities in lung transplant procedures
• ECMO cannulation
• Maintains knowledge level of current practice of organ procurement
• 24/7 on call coverage for up to 34 weeks/year including nights, holidays and weekends
• Evaluation of transplant organs and organ procurement, including Donation after Brain Death (DBD) donors and Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) donors
• Participation in pre-operative evaluation process including transplant selection committee
• Participation in ex-vivo perfusion
• Primarily accountable for the surgical recovery process:  surgical dissection, removal, preparation of selected donor organs for transplantation in the operative setting
• Support and work with the donor call team/transplant pulmonologists in efforts to increase the availability of organs for transplantation and research by providing high-quality recovery services within DSA
• Participate and keep knowledge base of all donor platforms (ELVP, NRP, OCS)
• Assumes on-call surgical recovery responsibilities assuring adequate coverage and timely recovery of organs

REQUIREMENTS: 

• MD/DOLicense or experienced procurement professional
• Significant experience within the last 2 years with lung procurement
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Previous surgical experience with lung, heart and/or abdominal procurement
• Education:  Graduate of a US ACGME-accredited General Surgery and/or Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency/Fellowship Program or foreign equivalent
• Must be able to work outside of normal business hours including nights, weekends, holidays and extended hours
• Must meet all CMS regulatory requirements for procurement surgeons in accordance with UNOS
• Comfortable traveling to procure organs via airplane or ground transportation
• Ability to achieve full and unrestricted hospital/surgical privileges at Dignity Health Arizona hospitals
• Must obtain Arizona State medical licensure prior to starting the position