(NP) Nurse Practitioner - Heart Transplant - 142048

UC San Diego Health is proud to be a four-time Magnet-designated organization and has now earned Magnet with Distinction from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Magnet is the gold standard for nursing excellence, achieved by only about 10% of hospitals worldwide. Magnet with Distinction is awarded to the highest-performing Magnet organizations, with only a select few earning this prestigious honor. This recognition reflects our commitment to transformational leadership, professional nursing excellence, innovation, exceptional patient outcomes, and an empowering practice environment where nurses thrive.

Under general supervision, the Nurse Practitioner (NP) is responsible for providing comprehensive post-transplant patient care and care for VAD recipients in the Heart Transplant and VAD program. This person will provide clinical assistance and support in treating and managing outpatients and acts as a key member of the multidisciplinary transplant and VAD team. This role requires advanced clinical judgment to independently assess, diagnose, and manage high-acuity transplant patients and VAD recipients, including interpreting transplant-specific laboratory data and diagnostic studies, managing immunosuppression and transplant-related complications, and managing and interpreting LVAD alarms and alerts. The NP evaluates patients for escalation of care, performs procedures as credentialed, provides consultative services, and ensures accurate, timely documentation in the medical record.

The UC San Diego Center for Transplantation is a nationally recognized, regionally leading academic center that provides comprehensive transplant care in heart, lung, kidney, liver, and multi-organ transplants. The outpatient heart Transplant and VAD Nurse Practitioner works in close collaboration with advanced heart failure cardiologists and the multidisciplinary transplant team to ensure continuity and consistency of care across the outpatient setting. Responsibilities include coordinating care across disciplines and serving as a leader and clinical liaison to promote standardized medical management throughout the transplant program. As a key member of the team, they assist in resolving complex clinical issues and communicate directly with attending physicians and other multidisciplinary team members.

In addition, the NP provides education to transplant patients, VAD recipients, and their families regarding post-transplant/VAD care, medication management, follow-up care, rejection risk, and recovery expectations, and serves as a clinical resource for transplant/VAD coordinators caring for transplant/VAD populations. The role includes participation in quality improvement initiatives, policy development, evidence-based practice, and professional activities, with evolving responsibilities as patient, system, and program needs change.

• Must be a graduate from an accredited nurse practitioner program.

• California Registered Nurse (RN) license, California Nurse Practitioner (NP) license, and Furnishing License Certification.

• National NP board certification in aligned specialty with the practice area.

• BLS certification at time of hire with commitment to get BART within six months of hire date

• A minimum of two (2) years of recent licensed Nurse Practictioner experience (within the past 4 years) working in an inpatient or outpatient setting managing transplant and VAD patients.

• Advanced clinical knowledge of solid organ transplant care, including post-operative management, immunosuppression protocols, transplant-related complications and rejection, and expected recipient outcomes and VAD patient management.

• Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex, high-acuity transplant patients in a fast-paced outpatient setting, with evidence-based, sound clinical judgment and appropriate escalation of care.

• Strong understanding of transplant-specific pathophysiology, laboratory interpretation (normal and abnormal values), and medication management for transplant and VAD patient populations.

• Serve as a liaison between patients, families and the transplant multidisciplinary team.

• Demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills to assess complex patient situations, prioritize competing responsibilities, and implement timely, appropriate interventions or escalate when needed.

• Communicates effectively, both verbally and in writing, with surgeons, physicians, multidisciplinary team members, patients, and external stakeholders at all levels. Builds collaborative relationships grounded in professionalism, kindness, and a shared commitment to high-quality patient care.

• Demonstrates the ability to effectively prioritize and manage competing demands, ensuring urgent patient and program needs are addressed promptly and efficiently.

• Demonstrates the ability to adapt to a fast-paced environment, has excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and consistently demonstrates empathy and kindness to all staff and patients.

• Maintains a positive, solution-oriented approach to challenges, encourages teamwork and open communication, and remains receptive to feedback to support individuals and program growth.

• Ability to at all times adhere to UCSD Health Medical Center (C.A.R.I.N.G.) Standards of Performance, and demonstrate the characteristics of professionalism in attire, attitude, conversation, behavior, and attentiveness to others.

• Three (3) years or more of working NP experience.

• VAD, cardiology, heart transplant work experience.

• Epic experience.

• 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.
• Must be able to obtain UCSD Medical Staff privileges and maintain during employment. Due to advanced practice credentialing eligibility, clinical advanced practice experience must be within the last two years gained through school or work experience.
• Current UCSD NPIII employees may be hired at the NPIII level pending review and approval by Health Human Resources and the UCSD Advanced Practice Council.