(RN) Heart Transplant Program Manager

About the Role

UC San Diego Health is a four-time Magnet-designated organization, now earning Magnet with Distinction from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This prestigious recognition, achieved by only about 10% of hospitals worldwide, reflects our commitment to transformational leadership, professional nursing excellence, innovation, exceptional patient outcomes, and an empowering practice environment where nurses thrive.

The Organ Transplant Program Manager provides strategic, clinical, and operational leadership for the transplant program under the direction of the Transplant Administrative Directors and in close collaboration with Medical and Surgical Directors. This role optimizes patient outcomes to drive program growth, develops and executes comprehensive strategic plans for program expansion, and ensures full regulatory compliance with UNOS, CMS, HRSA, and other governing bodies. The Transplant Manager oversees all aspects of transplant operations from initial patient referral through post-transplant care, managing resources, workflows, interdisciplinary teams, and external partnerships.

This position provides operational oversight to UC San Diego Health's Heart Transplant Program.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
  • Develop and execute transplant program growth and service expansion
  • Partner with medical, surgical, and administrative leaders to align program goals with organizational priorities
• Regulatory Compliance
  • Maintain compliance with UNOS, CMS, HRSA, and other regulatory entities
  • Support accreditation processes and participate in inspections and surveys
  • Collaborate with Quality leadership on transplant-specific policies and procedures
• Clinical Operations
  • Direct daily transplant operations across the entire care continuum
  • Optimize workflows, staffing, and resources to ensure efficiency and clinical quality
  • Oversee patient flow, transplant personnel, and external partnerships
  • Lead operational improvement initiatives
• Team Leadership
  • Build and develop high-performing interdisciplinary teams
  • Provide performance management, professional development, and succession planning
  • Manage recruitment, evaluation, and corrective action processes
  • Foster a collaborative culture focused on quality care and staff engagement
• Quality & Outcomes
  • Monitor UNOS metrics, patient outcomes, readmissions, and other quality indicators
  • Participate in adverse event reviews and implement corrective actions
  • Track clinical, operational, and financial performance against benchmarks
• Financial Management
  • Develop and manage program budgets
  • Monitor payer mix, reimbursement trends, and cost structures
  • Support vendor contract discussions and business development
• Productivity & Performance Management
  • Monitor and optimize staff productivity
  • Track and improve program productivity metrics
  • Monitor case costs, revenue, and overall financial performance

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited institution.
• Registered Nurse (RN) license issued by the State of California.
• Current UCSD BART certification, or BLS certification at time of hire with commitment to get BART within six months of hire date.
• Seven (7+) or more years of progressive clinical experience, including three (3+) or more years of RN experience within a complex transplant and/or ICU environment.
• Four (4+) or more years of formal leadership experience, with demonstrated ability to lead teams, drive accountability, and navigate difficult conversations.
• Proven leadership capability in healthcare operations, including strategic planning, clinical operations management, quality, and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams through change, fostering a growth mindset, and supporting culture transformation in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong working knowledge of CMS Conditions of Participation and OPTN/UNOS regulatory requirements.
• Experience partnering with multidisciplinary stakeholders, including physicians, administrators, and frontline staff.
• Knowledge of workforce management principles, including performance management and accountability in a unionized or highly regulated environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Nursing or relevant area.
• Current experience working within an organ transplant program or transplant-related clinical operations.
• Prior transplant leadership or management experience.
• Experience working in an academic medical center or teaching hospital environment.
• Knowledge of labor relations and experience working within a unionized workforce.
• CPHQ (Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality) certification.
• Epic and Phoenix experience.