Casual Clinical Transplant/VAD Nurse Coordinator II
UPMC Presbyterian | Transplant & Advanced Heart Failure Services
This is a casual position, working day light hours with fluctuating hours, no more than 20 hours per week.
At UPMC, every transplant and Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) journey starts with a dedicated nurse who helps patients navigate this process.
We're seeking an experienced Clinical Transplant/VAD Nurse Coordinator II to join our nationally recognized transplant team. In this highly specialized role, you'll serve as a patient advocate, care coordinator, educator, and clinical expert, guiding patients and families through every stage of the transplant or VAD process, from referral and evaluation through recovery and long-term follow-up.
Why Join UPMC Transplant Services?
✅ Work alongside nationally recognized transplant and advanced heart failure specialists
✅ Build meaningful relationships with patients and families throughout their journey
✅ Serve as a critical member of a multidisciplinary team
✅ Influence patient outcomes through education, advocacy, and clinical expertise
✅ Participate in professional development, research, and specialty certification opportunities
✅ Grow into a leadership role while mentoring future transplant professionals
What You'll Do
As a Clinical Transplant/VAD Nurse Coordinator II, you'll coordinate and manage patient care throughout the entire transplant or VAD continuum.
Pre-Transplant / VAD Evaluation
- Coordinate comprehensive patient evaluations with physicians and multidisciplinary teams.
- Identify candidate needs and facilitate the testing, consultations, and assessments required for transplant or VAD consideration.
- Advocate for patients and families while helping them understand the transplant process.
- Build strong relationships with referring physicians and healthcare providers.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and transplant listing standards.
Waiting Period & Ongoing Care Coordination
- Monitor patient status while awaiting transplant or VAD implantation.
- Provide education, guidance, and support to patients and caregivers.
- Manage candidate listing status and ensure accurate documentation.
- Coordinate care when changes in patient condition require reevaluation or intervention.
Perioperative & Inpatient Care
- Support transplant and VAD procedures according to established clinical protocols.
- Assess patient readiness and eligibility for transplant or VAD implantation.
- Facilitate admissions, transfers, and care coordination throughout the surgical process.
- Collaborate with transplant surgeons, physicians, and healthcare teams to optimize outcomes.
Post-Transplant & Outpatient Management
- Monitor recovery and long-term patient progress.
- Reinforce education regarding medications, follow-up care, and healthy lifestyle practices.
- Coordinate consultations, diagnostic testing, and ongoing treatment plans.
- Identify risks, complications, and barriers to compliance while promoting successful long-term outcomes.
Serve as an ongoing resource for patients, families, providers, and community healthcare partners.
- Registered Nurse (RN) with current Pennsylvania licensure (or eligible multistate licensure in accordance with Nursing Licensure Compact requirements).
- Diploma or Associate Degree in Nursing required; BSN preferred.
- Minimum of 3-5 years of clinical nursing experience, including 2-3 years of recent transplant and/or VAD coordinator experience within the last five years.
- Demonstrated competence in professional transplant/VAD nursing practice.
Strong critical thinking, clinical assessment, communication, organizational, and care coordination skills. - Ability to manage complex patient populations, prioritize multiple responsibilities, and work effectively within a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
Certification at hire through the American Board for Transplant Certification (ABTC) as a Certified Clinical Transplant Coordinator (CCTC), Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse (CCTN), Certified Heart Failure Nurse (CHFN), or other UPMC-approved certification related to the service line.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN).
- Experience in transplant, VAD, cardiac, critical care, or advanced care coordination settings.
Experience participating in quality improvement, research, leadership initiatives, or staff development activities.
Performance Expectations
Must maintain a performance rating of Solid/Strong/Good or higher to retain Clinical Transplant/VAD Coordinator II status.