(RN) Lung Transplant Program Manager - 140105

UC San Diego Health

San Diego (CA)

On-site

USD 196,000 - 227,000

Full time

14 days+

Get more replies from employers

Send a job-specific resume in minutes.

Job summary

UC San Diego Health is seeking a Transplant Manager to lead their Lung Transplant Program. This role focuses on strategic leadership, regulatory compliance, and operational management, ensuring high-quality patient care and program growth. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in healthcare operations and leadership.

Join UC San Diego Health and contribute to a respected organization that champions nursing excellence and patient outcomes.

Qualifications

7+ years of progressive clinical experience in a transplant and/or inpatient environment.
4+ years of formal leadership experience.
Strong working knowledge of regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

Lead daily transplant operations and ensure quality care.
Monitor patient flow and resources.
Oversee operational budgets and financial performance.

Skills

Healthcare operations management

Regulatory compliance

Staff development

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in nursing

Registered Nurse (RN) license

Tools

CMS Conditions of Participation knowledge

EPIC

Phoenix

Job description

Payroll Title

TRANSPLANT MGR 1

Department

Lung Acquisition

Hiring Pay Scale

$196,000 - $227,000 / Year

Worksite

Jacobs Medical Center

Appointment Type

Career

Appointment Percent

100%

Union

Uncovered

Total Openings

Work Schedule

Days, 8 Hour Shifts, Monday - Friday

Position ID

#140105 (RN) Lung Transplant Program Manager

Filing Deadline

Tue 6/30/2026

Employer

UC San Diego Health

Description

UC San Diego Health is a Magnet designated organization, which is a prestigious recognition that applies to only 10% of all U.S. hospitals. Magnet is the "gold standard" for nursing excellence and is based on strengths in five key areas, which include transformational leadership, structural empowerment, exemplary professional practice, new knowledge, innovation and improvements and empirical outcomes. UC San Diego Health has held its Magnet status since 2011.

Under the direction of the Transplant Administrative Directors and in close collaboration with Medical and Surgical Directors, the Organ Transplant Program Manager provides strategic, clinical, and operational leadership for the transplant program, optimizing patient outcomes to drive program growth. This role participates in developing and executing comprehensive strategic plans for program expansion while ensuring full regulatory compliance with UNOS, CMS, HRSA, and other governing bodies. The successful candidate will oversee all aspects of transplant operations from initial patient referral through post-transplant care, managing resources, workflows, interdisciplinary teams, and external partnerships. The Transplant Manager will consult and collaborate with healthcare professionals to optimize patient care coordination, serving as a resource to staff and physicians while ensuring sustainable program growth through effective resource utilization and operational excellence.

The ideal candidate will bring proven expertise in healthcare operations management, regulatory compliance, and staff development to foster a collaborative, growth-oriented culture. This position demands strong analytical skills to monitor quality metrics, implement performance improvement plans, and manage financial performance.

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

Key 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

While not required, a cover letter is highly recommended when applying to this position.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited institution.
Registered Nurse (RN) license issued by the State of California.
Current UCSD ART certification, or BLS and ACLS certifications at time of hire with commitment to get ART 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 inpatient 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.

Special Conditions

Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.
Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre‑employment physical.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $149,700 - $297,700 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%). Hourly Equivalent: $71.70 - $142.58. Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

Additional Compliance and Policies

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement

“Misconduct” means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct: