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

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

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

The Norton Thoracic Institute (NTI) is a premier organization including seven thoracic and esophageal surgeons, partner pulmonologists, and critical care physicians, all dedicated to the highest quality care of patients with thoracic diseases.  The NTI is nationally recognized for excellence in thoracic surgical care in a collegial and collaborative environment and is home to one of the busiest and highest quality lung transplant programs in the country.  Innovation, state-of-the-art technology, cutting-edge basic science and clinical research programs, and organizational support help to drive our mission.  Successful candidates will be team players and program builders willing to further develop an already expanding practice in tandem with the accelerating growth of the Greater Phoenix area.

The NTI is a division of Dignity Health/CommonSpirit Health with vibrant practices at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center (571 beds) and Chandler Regional Medical Center (470 beds), serving all three regions of the “Valley of the Sun.”  Both hospitals are large not-for-profit referral centers with state-of-the-art facilities, including robotic and minimally invasive surgery, advanced endoscopy, Level 1 Trauma programs, and surgical residency training programs.

We are extremely 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 at St. Joseph's, Ivy Brain Tumor Center, and St. Joseph's Level I Trauma Center. The hospital is also a respected center for Cardiovascular Services,  comprehensive women’s services and 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% of patients have traveled from outside of Arizona and the United States to seek treatment at St. Joseph’s. 

Fortune has ranked Dignity Health St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix the fourth best teaching hospital in the United States and the top hospital outside of the state of Pennsylvania. US News & World Report ranked St. Joseph’s #2 on its list of top Arizona Hospitals. In addition, St. Joseph’s boasts a strategic alliance with Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and is part of the Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance.  

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

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CommonSpirit Health™ is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, parental status, ancestry, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information about your EEO rights as an applicant, please click here.

We are offering a competitive salary and generous benefits package that includes premium-free insurance options, a matched 403b, employer-funded pension plan, relocation allowance for applicable physicians, CME benefit, and malpractice insurance.

*The posted compensation range is a reasonable estimate that extends from the lowest to the highest pay CommonSpirit in good faith believes it might pay for this particular job, based on the circumstances at the time of posting. CommonSpirit may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range as permitted by law.