Christopher Vannatta
San Tan Valley
Summary
Detail-oriented Organ Preservation Coordinator with comprehensive experience in organ procurement, preservation, and transplant logistics. Proficient in advanced preservation modalities including pulsatile machine perfusion, Paragonix transport systems, and Normothermic Regional Perfusion (NRP) protocols. Demonstrated ability to optimize organ utilization and support successful transplant outcomes through precise coordination, adherence to clinical protocols, and seamless collaboration with surgical and transplant teams.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Preservation Coordinator
Donor Network of Arizona
05.2023 - Current
- - Coordinate the preservation and packaging of deceased donor organs in the operating room, ensuring compliance with OPTN policies, hospital guidelines, and federal regulations.
- - Facilitate pulsatile machine preservation of kidneys to optimize transplant outcomes and reduce delayed graft function.
- - Oversee organ procurement logistics, ensuring timely and secure transportation of recovered organs for transplantation.
- - Experienced with all Paragonix organ preservation products, including Kidney Vault, LiverGuard, and BaroGuard, along with Organ Recovery System products such as LifePort Kidney Transporter and LifePort Liver Transporter to maintain optimal organ viability during transport.
- - Participates in Normothermic Regional Perfusion (NRP) cases, assisting in organ resuscitation and evaluation to enhance transplant success rates.
- - Provide on-call support to manage organ recovery cases, assisting in both local and out-of-state donor recoveries.
- - Work alongside local transplant centers to assist with living related donor cases, ensuring proper packaging and labeling for transplantation.
- - Train new Perfusion Coordinators in the recovery of hearts for valve transplantation and other organs intended for tissue and research purposes.
- - Conduct hospital OR in-service education, promoting best practices in organ recovery and preservation.
- - Maintain and restock clinical work areas, ensuring adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and organizational protocols.
- - Stay up to date with continuing education requirements and participate in monthly ORS meetings to enhance knowledge and effectiveness in organ recovery services.
- - Extensive experience in advanced anatomical tissue recovery, with a strong focus on surgical precision and adherence to research and transplant protocols.
- - Actively pursuing Certified Transplant Preservationist (CTP) certification to further enhance expertise in organ preservation and procurement practices.
- -Eager to expand hands-on expertise in surgical recovery, particularly in scrub tech and first assist roles, to further support efficient and successful organ procurement procedures.
Tissue Recovery Specialist
LifeNet Health
07.2019 - 05.2023
- Coordinated tissue recovery operations to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
- Trained and mentored new staff on basic and advance recovery protocols and best practices.
- Collaborated with healthcare professionals to facilitate timely tissue procurement.
- Conducted thorough documentation of recovery procedures to maintain accurate records.
- Enhanced tissue recovery efficiency by implementing standardized protocols and procedures.
- Promoted a safe work environment by following all safety protocols and reporting any potential hazards immediately.
- Reduced processing time by proficiently utilizing specialized instruments and equipment in tissue recovery procedures.
- Maintained aseptic technique during tissue recovery to ensure sample quality and reduce contamination risk.
- Assisted in training new Tissue Recovery Specialists, enhancing their skills and knowledge in the field.
- Demonstrated flexibility by adapting to varying schedules and participating in an on-call rotation for 24/7 availability.
- Collaborated with other team members for timely and accurate completion of tissue recoveries, streamlining the process.
- Extensive experience conducting high-quality research tissue recoveries in collaboration with esteemed organizations such as NDRI, Thermo Fisher Scientific, IRM, Duke University, and the Department of Defense."
Care Partner / CNA
VCU Health System
10.2016 - 07.2019
- - Provided compassionate care, improving patient outlook and daily living.
- - Observed and reported changes in patients' physical, emotional, and behavioral conditions.
- - Gained experience in Surgical Trauma, Hume-Lee Transplant, and Evan-Haynes Burn ICU units.
Education
Pre Nursing Certificate - Nursing/Health Science
John Tyler Community College
Chester, VABachelor of Science - Health Sciences
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ03-2027
Skills
- - Tissue Recovery & Surgical Procedures
- - Organ Procurement & Preservation
- - Case Triaging & Donor Suitability Assessment
- - Documentation Management
- - Paragonix Organ Transport Technologies
- - Normothermic Regional Perfusion (NRP)
- - Leadership & Team Coordination
- - Training & Development
- - Communication & Time Management
- Multitasking and organization
- Organ preservation techniques and cannulation
Accomplishments
-Cannulated and packaged the first kidney for transplant to be flown commercially utilizing the Paragonix KidneyVault. KidneyVault #19 from the fifth OPO to onboard this device.
Languages
English (Fluent)
Timeline
Preservation Coordinator
Donor Network of Arizona
05.2023 - Current
Tissue Recovery Specialist
LifeNet Health
07.2019 - 05.2023
Care Partner / CNA
VCU Health System
10.2016 - 07.2019
Pre Nursing Certificate - Nursing/Health Science
John Tyler Community College
Bachelor of Science - Health Sciences
Grand Canyon University