Sr. Donor Programs Specialist

Lonza•Rockville, MD

6d•$69,000 - $111,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Donor Programs Specialist supports the daily operations of Tissue Acquisition Donor Programs at the Lonza Rockville site. This role is responsible for recruiting individuals from the general public who have expressed interest in participating in Lonza’s donor programs. The Senior Donor Programs Specialist conducts comprehensive donor screening to determine eligibility for participation as either a research-use-only tissue donor or a donor whose tissue will be used for further manufacturing. Screening activities include explaining the donor program, obtaining informed consent, collecting detailed medical histories, and drawing blood samples for infectious disease testing. In addition, this role provides end-to-end donor support throughout the donation process, assists medical professionals during tissue collection, completes routine documentation, processes bone marrow samples in the Lonza Rockville laboratory, and communicates donation outcomes to relevant internal stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in nursing, Healthcare, Life Sciences, or a related field required; equivalent clinical education and experience may be considered.
Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in a healthcare, clinical, donor, or patient-facing role, preferably within tissue donation, research, or regulated clinical environments.
Clinical or healthcare background required; Registered Nurse (RN) strongly preferred.
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) with relevant experience will also be considered.
Experience working directly with patients or donors in a healthcare, clinical, or research setting, including regular interaction with physicians and medical professionals.
Demonstrated expertise in phlebotomy with current certification required; candidates without active phlebotomy certification must be willing and able to obtain certification within six (6) months of employment.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including strong face-to-face and telephone interviewing abilities and effective written communication.
Solid understanding of medical terminology, clinical practices, and patient care standards.
Knowledge of regulatory requirements and ethical standards related to human subject protection, patient rights, HIPAA/PHI, and the research use of human tissue.
Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail, including accurate record keeping, time management, and documentation in accordance with established procedures.
Proficiency with computer applications, including Microsoft Office and electronic record systems.
Professional demeanor with sound judgment and a strong ethical foundation; demonstrates sincerity, discretion, and respect when working with donors, patients, and internal stakeholders.
Self-motivated and dependable, with the ability to work independently, take ownership of individual and team outcomes, and consistently follow through.
Proactive, action-oriented, and adaptable, with the flexibility to respond effectively to changing priorities and operational needs.

Responsibilities

Recruit, screen, and onboard donors from the general population for Lonza research and clinical (manufacturing-use) donor programs, including explaining program requirements, obtaining informed consent, and assessing donor eligibility and commitment.
Perform donor screening activities, including medical history review, phlebotomy for required laboratory testing, receipt and documentation of test results, and accurate entry and maintenance of donor records in electronic databases and hard-copy files in accordance with SOPs and AATB standards.
Coordinate and manage donor scheduling, testing, and tissue collection logistics, including appointment scheduling, donor communications, preparation of collection locations and supplies, support of medical professionals during tissue collection, and post-donation follow-up with donors.
Support research and clinical donation operations by transporting supplies, receiving donors onsite, preparing procedure rooms, and assisting with donation activities as directed by medical partners.
Prepare and distribute routine communications to donors, physician offices, and laboratories to support daily operational needs of the donor programs.
Train and support staff on donor program procedures and SOPs, serving as a Lonza Designated Trainer and participating in ongoing training and compliance activities.
Cross-train and support laboratory operations as needed, including research bone marrow processing, allocation and preparation of fresh bone marrow cells for internal and external customers, shipment preparation, SAP transactions, document review, and participation in clinical collections when required.
Develop and implement donor engagement and retention strategies, including ongoing donor communication and recognition initiatives to support long-term program sustainability.