Director, Transplant Center - Kidney Transplant Operation

UPMC Hamot is seeking a dynamic and experienced Director, Transplant Center – Kidney Transplant Operations to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for our Kidney Transplant Program and associated hospital-based clinic.

About the Role

In this role, the Director is responsible for the day-to-day management, coordination, and supervision of clinical and administrative operations, ensuring exceptional patient care, operational efficiency, and compliance with all regulatory and accreditation standards. The Director will oversee staff performance, productivity, patient flow, patient access, and billing processes while fostering a culture of quality, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Working closely with the Medical Director and interdisciplinary transplant team, the Director will lead the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and operational initiatives that support program growth, quality outcomes, and an outstanding patient experience. The position carries 24/7 accountability for the overall success and performance of the transplant program.

Responsibilities

• Has operational accountability for the program/clinic on a 24/7 basis.
• Supervises and coordinates the daily activities of the program/clinic, including monitoring productivity, scheduling staff to provide coverage during operational hours, adjusting assignments as needed, monitoring patient flow, strategically resolving operational problems, and maximizing patient care services.
• Assists in marketing and business development activities related to the strategic growth of the transplant program, including participation in developing collateral materials, meetings with referral sources, and engagement with key community organizations (ALF).
• Responsible for educating community and central nursing personnel in all aspects of transplantation and general orientation of new staff members.
• Promotes professional self-development by attending seminars, reading professional publications, and participating in professional organizations.
• Directs, monitors, and participates in the delivery of care to advance quality and improve work processes for efficiency; coordinates care with transplant case management and transplant social work personnel; ensures continuity of care through collaboration with appropriate outpatient transplant nursing units.
• Collaborates with department leaders to develop, review, revise, and implement policies and procedures in compliance with regulatory agencies including OPTN, JCAHO, DOH, UNOS, and CMS.
• Manages all clinical and support staff, including recruitment and selection in conjunction with HR, onboarding and training, delegation of work duties, performance management (evaluations, coaching, corrective action), and ensuring compliance with safety procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Provides oversight with respective Medical Directors and participates in routine M&M and patient selection committee meetings.
• Serves as the liaison between internal and external stakeholders, functioning as a key resource for the transplant program.
• Provides direct patient care or performs triaging/phone care, acting as a role model for clinical expertise; ensures all providers receive necessary support for optimal patient care.
• Utilizes EpicCare (electronic medical record) and other transplant databases to document patient interactions, including medication refills and telephone calls.
• Supervises patient scheduling functions and works closely with the medical director to ensure optimal patient access and customer service; assigns patients (pre, waitlist, and post-op) to respective nurse coordinators.
• Collaborates with the Program Administrator and Chief to develop an annual budget, managing resources including staffing, supplies, and equipment to meet budgetary requirements.
• Maintains ongoing assessment of all patients associated with the transplant program and provides status updates to Medical Directors and program leadership; performs annual evaluations of the transplant program.
• Works collaboratively with Program Administrator, Division Chief, Medical Directors, transplant center/clinic staff, transplant/dialysis, and other nursing unit colleagues; communicates effectively with all members of the healthcare team.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
• Master’s degree in Nursing, Business, Public Health, or related field required.
• Minimum of three years of clinical experience required.
• Minimum of three years of clinical management experience in a hospital, ambulatory care setting, or office practice required.
• Minimum of three years of transplant experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse (RN) licensure.
• Current licensure either in the state where the facility is located or, if the facility is in a state covered by the multistate Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) agreement, a multistate license issued by a participating NLC state. Employees working on an out-of-state NLC license who change residency to the state where the facility is located will have 60 days to apply for licensure within that state.
• Act 34 clearance.

Schedule

Full-Time | Daylight Hours | 24/7 Accountability