VIFM POSITION DESCRIPTION
DATE EFFECTIVE: [24/10/2011]
Position Title
Tissue Donor Coordinator
Position Number
FM1711
Unit / Branch
Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria
Classification/VPS Grade
4
Position reports to
Nurse Manager
Date Reviewed
December 2011
Employment Status
Ongoing/ Full-time or
Part-time
CONTEXT
The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) is a statutory authority established by the Victorian
Institute of Forensic Medicine Act 1985. It is part of the Justice portfolio and reports through the Strategic
Policy and Legislation Division of the Department of Justice. The Director of the Institute holds the Chair of the
Forensic Medicine at Monash University and the Institute also operates as the Department of Forensic
Medicine at Monash University.
VIFM is based at the Coronial Services Centre, a purpose built facility that also houses the Coroners Court of
Victoria. The work of the Institute can be described as a cycle of three parts:



Providing forensic medical & scientific services and tissue banking
Learning from this work
Researching and teaching
The Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria (DTBV) has been established by VIFM to provide a central facility for the
acquisition, processing, storage, and distribution of tissue for transplantation.
The DTBV provides a core service to the state of Victoria and wider Australia, to include the provision of
musculoskeletal tissue, cardiac tissue and skin tissue to hospitals requiring transplant tissue for their patients.
The source of the transplant tissue is largely from deceased persons whose death falls under the Coroner’s Act
and whose families consent to donation within 24 hours of death. The Coroner’s Act defines the
circumstances in which deaths are reported. These are largely deaths occurring suddenly or unexpectedly.
Additionally, it is anticipated that the national Transplant Authority will through its specialist hospital systems
and staff increase tissue donation rates within the hospital health system.
The DTBV also supports a Living Donor Program involving approximately 30 hospitals, which facilitates the
donation of bone tissue from patients undergoing total hip replacement operations.
Additionally, the DTBV facilitates access to corneas for the local Eye Bank and to human tissue for health
related research projects.
The Tissue Donor Coordinator role is critical in the above service provision. This role includes identifying
potential tissue donors, communicating with the recently deceased person’s next of kin and with living donors,
providing information about tissue donation for transplantation and/or research, and obtaining consent for
tissue donation.
Document ID: FR-07-0047- 4.1
Date Effective: 24/10/2011
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VIFM POSITION DESCRIPTION
DATE EFFECTIVE: [24/10/2011]
The DTBV annual business plan is incorporated in VIFM’s. This plan defines specific strategic directions,
development projects and key performance indicators and is contributed to by all staff.
The DTBV is a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) licensed facility, and the microbiology section is
accredited by NATA and TGA for medical testing. The Bank is subject to regular audits by the Quality
Management section of the Institute as well as the TGA. The Tissue Donor Coordinator is required to be fully
conversant with the requirements set by the Therapeutic Goods Administration guidelines and the Code of
Good Manufacturing Practice – Human Blood and Tissues.
KEY ACCOUNTIBILITIES
1. Select and identify appropriate donors for tissue transplantation, and medical research using the
guidelines set-out by the Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria, the TGA, and/ or researchers.
2. Approach potential donors and/or family members to discuss the possibility of donation of tissue for
transplantation and health related research via telephone or face to face.
3. Discuss with next of kin issues surrounding the procedures, such as post-mortem examination (as part of
the donor screening) and assist them to make an informed decision about tissue donation.
4. Perform an external physical inspection on deceased individuals as part of the assessment for donor
suitability.
5. Corroborate and coordinate information received from bone living donors, and following-up health and
other issues as directed.
6. Participate in promoting the work undertaken by the DTBV and VIFM, including educational and training
sessions.
7. Undertake projects and research as directed by the manager, or self-directed.
8. Participate in DTBV and VIFM learning opportunities and education activities.
9. Comply with guidelines as set out by The Human Tissue Act (1982), Code of Good manufacturing
Practice, The Coroner’s Act (1985), NHMRC national statement on ethical conduct in research involving
humans, and The National Code of Ethical Autopsy Practice (2002).
10. The DTBV is a 24/7 service provider and the Tissue Donor Coordinator will be required to participate in
an on-call roster to include night, weekend on-call work.
11. Other duties as directed by the Manager, Tissue Donor Coordination Service or the Head, Donor Tissue
Bank of Victoria.
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA
Technical Expertise
Document ID: FR-07-0047- 4.1
Date Effective: 24/10/2011

Demonstrated commitment and understanding of the cultural, ethical
and health issues involving organ and tissue donation.

Demonstrated ability to gain personal and professional credibility in the
workplace.

Demonstrated ability to prepare reports, collate data, correspondence
and to produce meticulously written records.

Basic knowledge and practical experience acquired over time in a
medical environment preferably in the blood, organ and tissue donation
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VIFM POSITION DESCRIPTION
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
Knowledge & Skills
Personal Qualities
Others
Qualification
area.
Demonstrated experience with using Microsoft Word, Excel and/or
Powerpoint and the Internet

Preferably a demonstrated commitment to providing a high level of
service to families of recently deceased persons

Preferably knowledge and previous experience in an environment
following the Code of Good Manufacturing Practice or similar

Demonstrate sufficient technical knowledge and skills to effectively
perform the required duties.

Demonstrated analytic skills and proven ability to gather and interpret
information via Demonstrated analytic skills and proven ability to gather
and interpret information via observation and research and to relay this
information in a clear and concise manner to different audiences.

Advanced communication skills to liaise effectively with donors,
bereaved family members, healthcare professionals and the broader
community

Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision,
and to work as an effective team member.

Demonstrated ability to plan work activities, coordinate a variety of
tasks and meet targets whilst managing a variable workload often under
intense pressure and within limited time frames

Proven ability to adhere to set guidelines, work instructions and to pay
close attention to detail.

Positive attitude towards quality and OH&S systems

Hold a current Victorian Driver’s License

A background in nursing will be highly regarded
OHS & EEO RESPONSIBILITIES
The VIFM is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for staff, ensuring that the workplace is
free from harassment, bullying and discrimination and supporting the diverse skills, backgrounds and values of
others. In accordance with this commitment all employees will be required to:

Comply with all OHS Management System, policies and procedure requirements and take reasonable
care to protect their own health and safety and the health and safety of others in the workplace. All
staff are required to immediately report any incidents, hazards or near misses to the relevant
Manager/Supervisor and actively participate in hazard elimination where required.
Document ID: FR-07-0047- 4.1
Date Effective: 24/10/2011
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VIFM POSITION DESCRIPTION
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
Comply with Equal Opportunity policy, procedures and requirements, and undertake work and
activities in a manner that ensures the workplace is free from harassment, bullying behaviour and
discrimination and supports the diverse skills, backgrounds and values of others.
In addition, all employees with people management responsibilities will:




Be responsible for monitoring and improving the safety performance of their work area by
investigating incidents, identifying hazards, initiating actions and participating in the resolution of
safety issues.
Participate in the local Health and Safety Committee and where required, liaise with their work area
OH&S Representatives to ensure optimal safety performance.
Ensure the effective implementation of all OH&S Management System policies and procedures,
ensuring staff have adequate training to perform their job safely and new employees are effectively
inducted to minimise safety risks within their area.
Comply with Equal Opportunity policy, procedures and requirements, and undertake work and
activities in a manner that ensures the workplace is free from harassment, bullying behaviour and
discrimination through thoughtful behaviour and leading by example and supporting the diverse skills,
backgrounds and values of others.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Employees from the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine are required to demonstrate a commitment to
follow the VIFM’s values & behaviours - Respect | Openness | Service | Integrity | Innovation and perform all
of the key accountabilities (duties) of their Position. In conjunction with agreed goal delivery as outlined in
annual individual Performance Development Plans (PDP), employees are required to acknowledge that they
have complied with the VPS Code of Conduct and exhibited the professional behaviours expected at VIFM,
followed VIFM policies, in particular: Privacy and Confidentiality, IT Usage, Management of Records, Gifts and
Hospitality and Information Security, including not storing VIFM information at home other than for authorised
work purposes and confirm that there has been no change in their police clearance check status.
You will need to disclose any pre-existing illness or injury that you know about which could be reasonably
foreseen to be affected by the described work duties, If you fail to disclose such a condition, if employed, you
will not be paid compensation for that condition in accordance with s.82 (7) of the Accident Compensation Act.
The successful applicant will be employed pursuant to the Victorian Public Service Agreement 2006 (Federal
certified agreement).
As the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) evolves to meet changing needs, so will the roles
required of its staff. Accordingly, staff and applicants should be aware that this document might not
necessarily represent the full role that the staff member will perform in the long term. This document is
intended to provide an overview of the role as at the date of advertisement.
The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine requires you to sign a confidentiality agreement and declare other
personal information relevant to your employment. The VIFM will comply with the Information Privacy Act
2000 in the way it collects and handles this information.
All appointments to the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine are subject to the following checks:
reference checks and criminal record check. Some positions may also be subject to a ‘Working with
Children Check’
Document ID: FR-07-0047- 4.1
Date Effective: 24/10/2011
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VIFM POSITION DESCRIPTION
DATE EFFECTIVE: [24/10/2011]
MANAGER AUTHORISATION
EMPLOYEE ACCEPTANCE
Manager’s Name:
Employee’s Name:
Signature & Date:
Signature & Date:
Document ID: FR-07-0047- 4.1
Date Effective: 24/10/2011
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