Heart Transplant Nurse Coordinator (Full Time, Days)

Description

Job Summary

The Heart Transplant Nurse Coordinator plays a critical role in the development and daily operations of the new Heart Transplant Program. This position is responsible for coordinating all phases of the transplant process, including patient referral, evaluation, listing, organ offer coordination, transplantation, and long‑term follow‑up. Serving as the primary point of contact for patients, families, and the multidisciplinary care team, the coordinator ensures seamless communication, regulatory compliance, and high‑quality patient care. This role is essential in supporting program readiness, maintaining UNOS and CMS standards, and ensuring safe, efficient growth of the Heart Transplant Program.

Job Specific Duties

• Develops and implements workflows, protocols, and documentation required for the launch of the Heart Transplant Program. 
• Assists with creation and maintenance of policies and procedures to meet UNOS, CMS, and institutional requirements.
• Participates in program readiness activities, site visits, audits, and preparation for accreditation surveys.
• Collaborates with leadership to establish referral pathways, evaluation processes, and listing practices.
• Coordinates all aspects of pre‑transplant evaluation, including scheduling diagnostic testing, specialty consultations, and multidisciplinary review. 
• Educates patients and families on the transplant process, expectations, risks, and long‑term care requirements. 
• Maintains ongoing communication with patients to monitor clinical status and ensure timely completion of evaluation milestones. 
• Participates in transplant selection committee meetings, presenting patient updates and documentation. 
• Ensures accurate and timely data entry into UNOS, EMR, and transplant management systems. Maintains complete patient records, listing criteria documentation, and required regulatory updates. 
• Assists in quality assurance activities, including data validation, performance improvement initiatives, and regulatory reporting. Participates in morbidity and mortality reviews and quality meetings as required. 
• Prepares, submits, and maintains patient listing status in UNOS according to medical director guidance and regulatory criteria. 
• Responds promptly to organ offers, assisting in clinical assessments and communication with the transplant physician. 
• Coordinates logistics for organ acceptance, transplant procedures, and patient readiness.
• Documents all organ offer activity in compliance with regulatory and institutional standards.
• Coordinates post‑transplant follow‑up, including labs, diagnostics, clinic visits, and medication adjustments as directed by the transplant team. 
• Educates patients and families on post‑transplant care, warning signs, immunosuppression, and lifestyle modifications. 
• Tracks patient outcomes and assists with ongoing data reporting and performance monitoring. 
• Serves as liaison among cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, advanced heart failure, pharmacy, social work, and other departments involved in transplant care. 
• Communicates regularly with referring physicians to provide updates and ensure continuity of care. 
• Collaborates with the organ procurement organization (OPO) and other external partners as needed. 
• Maintains logs, reports, and communication tools needed for program operations.  
• Assists with development of patient education materials and program outreach efforts. 
• Provides on‑call support for organ offers and urgent transplant‑related needs, as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree Nursing (BSN) from an accredited school of nursing
• RN Licensure within the State of Florida or Multi-State Enhanced Nursing License Compact (eNLC) – maintain active and in good standing throughout employment
• CCTC (Certified Clinical Transplant Coordinator) required within 1 year of hire
• American Heart Association BLS - maintain active and in good standing throughout employment
• 2-4 years of pediatric critical/acute care experience
• 2-4 years of organ transplant/acute care experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Transplant Program Management experience preferred.
• CCTN or ABTC professional certification preferred.
• Strong knowledge of UNOS, CMS, and OPTN regulatory requirements related to transplant listing, allocation, and follow‑up
• Familiarity with transplant‑specific clinical pathways, including evaluation, listing criteria, organ offer procedures, and post‑transplant management.
• Dedicated to helping donor families and transplant recipients.
• Establishes and maintains effective relationships with patients, families, and health care personnel.
• Knowledge of multidisciplinary care coordination, including cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, social work, pharmacy, nutrition, and behavioral health
• Understanding of data management and quality metrics required for transplant program operations.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Strong organizational and workflow‑building skills to assist in the development of new program processes, policies, and documentation.
• Able to participate in 24-hour call schedule including weekdays, night, weekends, and holidays.
• Able to adjust schedule to accommodate organizational needs, including times of clinical high volume.
• Applies logical and scientific thinking to interpret technical data and solve a broad range of problems.
• Ability to use standard mathematical techniques to budget and provide productivity assessments.
• Applies principles of evidenced-based practice, analytical thinking, and service excellence in practice.
• Analyzes and interprets data and utilizes the information to make judgments regarding patient care.
• Able to travel by auto, charter, and commercial aircraft.
• Comprehensive understanding of heart failure, ventricular assist devices (VADs), and cardiac transplantation processes and terminology
  

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