Pediatric Heart Transplant RN Program Manager

Ascension; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health coverage

Employer-matched retirement plan

Paid time off and holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Ascension is seeking a strategic leader for the Pediatric Cardiac Transplant Care Services at Dell Children's Medical Center in Austin, Texas. The role entails overseeing advanced heart transplant programs, ensuring clinical coordination and compliance with regulations.

Qualified candidates must have a nursing diploma, at least 3 years of nursing experience, and BLS certification within 30 days of hire. A strong background in pediatric cardiac care and proven nursing leadership experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• 3 years of nursing experience required, with 1 year in leadership.
• BLS certification within 30 days of hire.
• Registered Nurse credentialed from the Texas Board of Nursing.

Responsibilities

• Lead pediatric cardiac transplant programs as the central executive.
• Oversee clinical coordination of patient care through various stages.
• Implement continuous process improvement initiatives.

Skills

Nursing leadership

Pediatric Cardiac Care

Process improvement

Interpersonal skills

Regulatory compliance

Education

Diploma from an accredited nursing program

Job description

Your future role at a glance

Location: Austin, Texas

Facility: Dell Children's Medical Center

Department/Specialty: Cardiac Transplant Care Services

Schedule: Day Shift | Monday - Friday 8:00a - 5:00p

Benefits

• Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and HSA/FSA options
• Financial security & retirement: employer-matched 403(b), planning and hardship resources, disability and life insurance
• Time to recharge: pro-rated paid time off (PTO) and holidays
• Career growth: Ascension-paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement, ongoing professional development and online learning
• Emotional well-being: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources
• Family support: parental leave, adoption assistance and family benefits
• Other benefits: optional legal and pet insurance, transportation savings and more

Benefit options and eligibility vary by position, scheduled hours and location. Benefits are subject to change at any time. Your recruiter will provide the most up-to-date details during the hiring process.

How you’ll make an impact in this role

• Command Global Program Governance: Serve as the central executive leader and strategic conduit unifying pediatric cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, APPs, clinical staff, and specialized vendors (e.g., CareDx, TOSA, OTTR).
• Architect Strategic & Operational Growth: Co-author, execute, and scale the heart transplant program's strategic expansion plan in direct alignment with the Program, Medical, and Surgical Directors.
• Oversee the Continuum of Transplant Care: Direct clinical coordination across the entire high-complexity patient lifecycle—including advanced heart failure management, transplant evaluation, UNOS listing, the perioperative event, and lifelong post-transplant surveillance.
• Lead Process Engineering & Clinical Quality: Drive continuous process improvement (CPI) initiatives across clinic workflows, referral loops, electronic health record (EHR/OTTR) buildouts, financial stewardship, and quality data management.
• Direct Human Capital & Multi-Disciplinary Teams: Provide direct leadership, mentorship, and performance management for a core team of RN Coordinators (4), Quality Coordinator (1), and Clinical Coordinator (1). Maintain "dotted-line" operational oversight for a dedicated psychosocial and allied health matrix (Social Workers, Dietitians, Pharmacists, Financial Coordinators).
• Mitigate Complex Care & Social Risk: Act as the clinical escalation point and mentor for RN coordinators navigating highly complex pediatric cardiac cases intertwined with fragile or volatile patient social dynamics.
• Enforce Federal & Multi-Agency Compliance: Partner with the Quality Coordinator to mandate and audit strict regulatory training, ensuring the program's flawless alignment with UNOS, OPTN, CMS, and HRSA standards.
• Elevate National System Presence: Represent the institution at national transplant conferences and UNOS training forums to maintain industry leading-edge clinical knowledge and promote the center's national footprint.

Minimum Requirements

Licensure / Certification / Registration:

• BLS Provider obtained within 1 Month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date required. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.
• Registered Nurse credentialed from the Texas Board of Nursing obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date required.

Education:

• Diploma from an accredited school/college of nursing with experience required.

Work Experience:

• 3 years of experience required.
• 1 year of leadership or management experience required.

Additional Preferences

• Licensure & Advanced Clinical Foundation: Registered Nurse (RN) with extensive, hands-on clinical experience within Pediatric Cardiac Care, Advanced Heart Failure, or Solid Organ Transplant modules.
• Proven Nursing Leadership Tenure: 3–5+ years of progressive nursing leadership experience (Manager, Director, or high-level Program Lead) within a complex hospital or academic health system.
• Process Improvement & Project Architecture: A demonstrable track record of successfully running complex projects, building out workflows, and engineering clinical processes to support rapid program scaling.
• Elite Interpersonal Command: Exceptional leadership capability to manage diverse, cross-functional clinical teams and resolve conflicts within a matrixed institutional environment.
• Regulatory Landscape Competence: Strong familiarity with the compliance structures governing transplant medicine (UNOS, Joint Commission, CMS) and associated data tracking software (OTTR preferred).

Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.