Clinical Transplant Coordinator I

UPMC; Erie (Erie County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

UPMC Hamot is seeking a Clinical Transplant Coordinator I to support kidney transplant candidates from evaluation through post-transplant care. The role requires nursing expertise, compassionate patient interaction, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team to ensure optimal outcomes.

The position emphasizes adherence to UNOS regulations, documentation, and ongoing patient education while guiding families through complex medical processes in a fast-paced hospital setting.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of recent bedside nursing and/or dialysis nursing experience.
• License as a Registered Nurse in Pennsylvania or eligible state.
• ABTC certification within 2 years preferred for promotion.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate transplant evaluation and listing processes for kidney candidates.
• Support patients through pre- and post-transplant care and education.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary transplant teams and physicians.
• Monitor patient progress and maintain comprehensive documentation.
• Ensure compliance with UNOS policies and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Nursing experience

Critical thinking

Clinical assessment

Education

Diploma or Associates Degree in Nursing

BSN preferred

Job description

Clinical Transplant Coordinator – Kidney Trans Operation | UPMC Hamot

Schedule:

• Full-Time
• Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
• Holidays Off
• On-Call Rotation Required

Preferred Experience:

• Minimum of two years of recent bedside nursing and/or dialysis nursing experience
• Strong critical thinking and clinical assessment skills

About the Role:

The Clinical Transplant Coordinator I serves as a key member of the transplant team, supporting patients throughout their kidney transplant journey. This role assists potential transplant candidates as they progress through evaluation and listing, helps maintain transplant readiness while patients await transplantation, and provides ongoing coordination and support following transplant to promote optimal health outcomes. The Clinical Transplant Coordinator I is accountable for the coordination and delivery of patient-centered nursing care using the nursing process. Working collaboratively with Clinical Transplant Coordinators, leadership, physicians, and the multidisciplinary transplant team, this role applies clinical expertise, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice to achieve high-quality patient care outcomes. The ideal candidate is compassionate, organized, and committed to fostering strong relationships with patients and families while guiding them through complex medical processes. This position requires the ability to assess, interpret, and respond to patient needs across the lifespan, ensuring care is individualized, age-appropriate, and aligned with transplant program standards.

Responsibilities:

• TRANSPLANT/VAD REFERRAL AND EVALUATION
  • Identifies appropriate transplant/VAD candidates upon referral and interacts with appropriate hospital staff.
  • Identifies requirements for candidate evaluation.
  • Coordinates the evaluation process for potential transplant/VAD candidates with the multidisciplinary team.
  • Functions as candidate advocate by applying knowledge of growth, development, educational and cultural background during candidate and family interaction.
  • Provides data to regulatory agencies.
  • Demonstrates knowledge of compliance with United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) policies and listing requirements.
• POST-TRANSPLANT/VAD OUT-PATIENT PERIOD
  • Identifies and responds to recipient and family needs in post-transplant/VAD phase.
  • Reinforces educational and follow-up requirements.
  • Collects and reviews data pertinent to recipient's health and organ function.
  • Provides and maintains comprehensive documentation of recipient's progress.
  • Implements changes in drug therapy as ordered by physician.
  • Arranges for consultations, diagnostic procedures, and hospitalization when indicated.
  • Maintains communication with referring physician and other health care providers.
  • Assesses recipient's compliance with medications and medical regime; collaborates with transplant/VAD team to attain and maintain compliance.
• POST-TRANSPLANT/VAD IN-PATIENT PERIOD
  • Monitors patient progress post-transplant.
  • Educates recipient and family regarding care and responsibilities after transplantation.
  • Collaborates with transplant/VAD team to establish and implement patient plan of care.
• PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
  • Obtains ABTC Certification.
  • Attends practice-related conferences.
  • Participates in educational and outreach activities.
  • Constructively receives feedback and direction.
  • Identifies and communicates learning needs to manager.
  • Takes action to improve knowledge, skills and performance based on feedback or on self-identified developmental needs.
  • Participates in self-review as requested by manager.
  • Responsible for adhering to On-Call schedule.
• PERI-OPERATIVE PERIOD
  • Participates in transplant/VAD process according to UPMC protocol.
  • Reviews potential recipient's current medical status to determine eligibility for transplant.
  • Facilitates admission or transfer to UPMC.
  • Communicates with organ procurement agency/ORC and collects the appropriate data necessary for decision making re organ acceptance/rejection for transplant as applicable.
  • Exhibits ability to remove transplant recipient from the list per UNOS regulations as applicable.
• PRE-TRANSPLANT/VAD PERIOD
  • Develops and institutes a teaching plan addressing transplant/VAD candidates learning needs.
  • Maintains communication with patient and referring physician.
  • Recognizes potential problems and/or significant changes during the waiting period and coordinates required care.
  • Acts as a resource person for internal and external health care providers.
  • Provides and maintains comprehensive documentation of candidate process.
  • Exhibits ability to maintain and update candidate listing status per UNOS regulations as applicable.
  • 2 years recent clinical nursing experience.
  • Demonstrated competence in professional nursing practice.
  • Diploma or Associates Degree in Nursing.
  • BSN preferred.
  • Must obtain a Solid/Strong/Good or higher on annual performance review to be promoted to Clinical Transplant/VAD Coordinator II.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Current Pennsylvania licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse.
• It is preferred that within 2 years employee will obtain and maintain certification from the American Board for Transplant Certification (ABTC) as a Certified Clinical Transplant Coordinator (CCTC), CHFN (Certified Heart Failure Nurse), or other UPMC approved certification associated with the service line upon eligibility in order to be promoted to Clinical Transplant Coordinator II.
• Registered Nurse (RN)
• Act 34
• 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. Hires and current employees working on an out-of-state NLC license who later change their residency to the state where the facility is also located will have 60 days upon changing their residency to apply for licensure within that state.

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran