Director, Clinical Services

Southwest Transplant Alliance, Inc.; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwest Transplant Alliance seeks a Director, Clinical Services to lead Clinical and Surgical Services, aligning strategy with compliance and patient-focused outcomes. You will guide leadership, advance regulatory programs, and drive performance improvements while maintaining fiscal discipline and strong external partnerships.

The role requires RN or PA licensure, CPTC certification within 18 months, 3+ years critical care, and 5+ years of progressive leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing, healthcare, allied science, or related field is required.
• License as an RN or PA required.
• CPTC certification required within 18 months of hire.
• Minimum 3 years of critical care experience.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive leadership experience.
• Driver’s License required and maintained per STA policy.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for Clinical Services and Surgical Services.
• Collaborate with executives to advance regulatory compliance and organizational objectives.
• Oversee budgeting and financial controls within the department.
• Address complex clinical, surgical, and operational challenges with stakeholders.
• Lead talent development, coaching, and performance management for leadership.
• Foster external relationships with procurement, transplant organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Promote safety, HIPAA compliance, and infection control across departments.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Regulatory compliance

Budgeting

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in nursing, healthcare, allied science, or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Licensed as a registered nurse or physician assistant

Certified Procurement Transplant Coordinator (CPTC)

Tools

Quality Systems

Lean Process

PDSA cycles

Job description

Summary

The Director, Clinical Services is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership for Clinical Services and Surgical Services departments, ensuring effective, compliant, and high-quality operations that maximum donation opportunities and support organizational objectives. This role leads and develops department leadership while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, performance, and continuous improvement. The Director, Clinical Services evaluates clinical and surgical operations, addresses complex challenges, and collaborates across the organization to advance strategic initiatives, regulatory compliance, workforce development, and effective clinical and surgical practices. This role provides sound decision-making and operational oversight for escalated matters while maintaining fiscal responsibility and strong internal and external stakeholder relationships.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

• Communication
  • Provides representation with local, regional, and national procurement and transplant organizations and other external organizations, as appropriate.
• Time Management
  • Work collaboratively with Learning & Development to ensure training is delivered effectively and within established timelines.
• Attention to Detail
  • Monitor Clinical Services and Surgical Services department operations to ensure consistency, accuracy, and adherence to established practices, departmental expectations, and organizational standards.
• Problem-Solving
  • Identify and address complex clinical, surgical, and operational challenges, engaging appropriate stakeholders and resources to develop effective solutions that support donation opportunities and organizational objectives.
• Accountability
  • Participate in Administrator On-Call (AOC) responsibilities, providing appropriate leadership and operational oversight in accordance with established expectations.
• Conflict Resolution
  • Facilitate resolution of escalated concerns and conflicts within Clinical Services and Surgical Services departments, promoting professional communication, accountability, and effective working relationships.
• Coaching & Feedback
  • Coach, mentor, support, and motivate department leadership and top talent in overseeing the day-to-day operations of Clinical Services and Surgical Services in a manner consistent with the organization’s mission, vision, and values.
• Collaboration & Influence
  • Initiate, develop, and maintain external relationships with key stakeholders to support clinical, surgical, and organizational objectives.
• Performance Management
  • Establish performance expectations for Clinical Services and Surgical Services leadership and oversee performance management activities, including ongoing feedback, performance evaluations, development planning, and corrective action, as appropriate.
• Decision Making
  • Exercise sound judgement and make timely decisions regarding escalated Clinical Services and Surgical Services matters within established authority, considering clinical, surgical, operational, regulatory, and organizational impacts.
• Process Improvement
  • Collaborate with Quality Systems & Risk supporting ongoing process improvement and regulatory compliance, including Quality Improvement, Lean Process, and PDSA development and execution.
• Leadership Team & Culture
  • Collaborate with People Services in the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding process to support department staffing needs and organizational culture.
  • Provide cross‑functional leadership and foster alignment among organizational teams to support effective systems, collaborative practices, and strategies to maximize donation opportunities.
• Strategic Thinking & Analytics
  • Collaborate with all levels of management to evaluate organizational goals, strategic opportunities, and potential threats.
  • Assess clinical and surgical operations to identify improvement opportunities affecting roles and develop and implement strategies to address identified needs.
• Financial Acumen
  • Establish and manage the department budget and appropriate financial controls, ensuring fiscal responsibility in departmental spending and financial decision‑making.
• Risk Management
  • Ensure implantation of and adherence of organization, OPTN, CMS, and other applicable policies, guidelines, and regulatory requirements.
  • In collaboration with Vice President, Operations, direct the development and maintenance of policies and procedures related to organ management to support consistent, compliant, and effective clinical and surgical practices.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned that are consistent with the purpose of the role.

Education, Experience, and Licensing Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing, healthcare, allied science, or related field is required. Master’s degree is preferred. A combination of alternative education and experience may be considered in lieu of the formal education requirements.
• Licensed as a registered nurse or physician assistant is required.
• Certified Procurement Transplant Coordinator (CPTC) certification is required and must be obtained within 18 months.
• Minimum of 3 years of critical care experience is required.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in all phases of donation process and organ preservation is preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience is required.
• Current Driver’s License is required and maintained with an acceptable driving record as defined by STA policy.

Compliance

• This position is classified as OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Category I. Employees in this role routinely perform job duties that may involve direct contact with blood, bodily fluids, or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). Appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required at all times.
• Employees will receive mandatory training on bloodborne pathogens, safe work practices, and proper PPE usage. Adherence to all safety and infection control policies is a condition of employment.
• This role requires compliance with HIPAA and all confidentiality standards related to patient, donor, employee, and organizational information. Employees must safeguard all confidential information and disclose it only as permitted by law and organizational policy.

Other

Southwest Transplant Alliance maintains a policy of nondiscrimination with employees and applicants for employment. No aspect of employment will be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other basis prohibited by statute. In addition to federal law requirements, STA complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the STA has staff.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, or skills required. Job duties may change at any time with or without notice. Nothing in this description constitutes a contract of employment, and employment remains at-will.