Manager, Organ Utilization

LifeCenter Northwest • Bellevue, WA

17d

About The Position

The Manager, Organ Utilization (OUM) provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Organ Utilization Coordinator Team (OUCT), directing key aspects of abdominal organ allocation, logistics, and utilization for transplantation and research. This role is accountable for delivering measurable results maximizing transplant rates, reducing organ loss, and ensuring compliance with OPTN/UNOS, CMS, and AOPO standards. Leveraging extensive expertise in organ donation and allocation, the OUM designs and implements data-driven utilization strategies, optimizes workflows, and fosters strong relationships with transplant programs and recovery partners. The OUM drives team performance, promotes a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, and leads initiatives to improve efficiency and strengthen collaboration across the organization and with external stakeholders.

Requirements

• Extensive experience in organ donation and/or organ allocation is required, with a nursing background preferred.
• A bachelor's degree in healthcare or a related field and/or an equivalent combination of education and directly relevant professional experience is acceptable.
• Comprehensive knowledge of regulatory requirements, industry standards, and best practices related to organ allocation, utilization, and transplantation.
• Proven ability to design and implement strategic initiatives that enhance operational efficiency, reduce organ loss, and increase transplantation rates.
• Demonstrated leadership excellence, with the ability to mentor, coach, and develop high-performing teams in a complex, fast-paced clinical environment.
• Advanced clinical judgment and strategic decision-making skills, with the ability to navigate medically complex donor scenarios and drive optimal utilization outcomes.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the capacity to educate, influence, and collaborate effectively with internal teams and diverse external stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills, with the ability to analyze situations, identify solutions, and motivate others to improve processes continuously.
• Commitment to fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement across the organization.
• High proficiency in using technology and software tools, including email, Word, Excel, and other relevant applications, with the ability to learn new tools quickly and independently.
• Ability to accurately and effectively represent the organ donation and transplantation process in various formal and informal educational settings.
• Commitment to ethical integrity, compassion, and organizational excellence, with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Skilled at fostering a positive, collaborative, and innovation-driven culture that aligns with organizational mission and goals.
• This position requires ability to effectively operate phones, computers, smart phones, office equipment and surgical instrumentation.
• The individual must have the ability to communicate clearly using the English language to accurately convey information and be able to hear at normal speaking levels both in person and over the phone.
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Must have a clear understanding and practice of universal precautions is necessary.
• This position requires on-call responsibilities and travel is essential to this position; the employee must be prepared to travel by automobile and aircraft within and outside the LifeCenter service area.

Nice To Haves

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive management or leadership experience in organ donation, allocation, transplantation, or a closely related healthcare field preferred.
• Prior experience as an Organ Allocation Coordinator or in another role with direct responsibility for organ allocation or related transplant functions is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and engage daily with the Organ Utilization Coordinator (OUC) team in donor case operations, developing and implementing advanced strategic allocation strategies to maximize abdominal organ utilization.
• Serve as a resource for abdominal organ evaluation in medically complex donor cases, supporting OUCs in applying clinical judgment and allocation best practices.
• Design, implement, and monitor initiatives to improve allocation efficiency, streamline workflows, and increase transplant rates while minimizing organ loss.
• Foster collaboration with internal departments, transplant programs, and recovery partners to enhance placement outcomes and strengthen operational partnerships.
• Ensure full compliance with OPTN/UNOS, CMS, AOPO, and LifeCenter Northwest policies, incorporating quality assurance measures and performance metrics to monitor results and identify areas for improvement.
• Partner with the Organ Utilization Program Manager (OUPM) on OUCT staffing, onboarding, competency development, and ongoing education and training.
• Coordinate monthly clinical on-call schedules, adjusting assignments in response to case activity or operational needs.
• Collaborate with the Director, Organ Utilization, to manage departmental budgets and identify cost-management opportunities without compromising quality.
• Work closely with Organ Utilization Leadership, Surgical Recovery Leadership, Organ Preservation Leadership, and Quality and Regulatory Affairs to mitigate risk and maintain compliant, high-quality processes.
• Monitor donor case workflows, review allocation strategies, and ensure documentation aligns with regulatory and organizational standards.
• Direct allocation and logistical coordination to ensure timely case execution, optimal organ placement, and efficient use of resources.
• Collaborate in the development and implementation of decision frameworks for medically complex donors, working closely with transplant centers to maximize acceptance rates.
• Facilitate case-based debriefs and targeted education to enhance internal clinical knowledge and allocation practices.
• Provide leadership and direction to the Organ Utilization Coordinator Team (OUCT), fostering a collaborative, high-performance, and accountable work culture.
• Develop and execute management strategies to ensure team efficiency, goal alignment, and adhere to organizational priorities.
• Coach and mentor team members through constructive feedback, skill development, and professional growth opportunities.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, set clear expectations, and create individualized development plans to drive continuous improvement.
• Lead effective team meetings, communicating departmental goals, updates, and performance metrics to maintain alignment and transparency. Collaborate with leadership to align team objectives with broader organizational strategies and initiatives.
• Recognize and reward team achievements, fostering motivation and engagement.
• Partner to oversee new hire onboarding, training, and competency development, ensuring proficiency in allocation processes, regulatory compliance, and best practices. Lead ongoing training and development initiatives for the OUCT and other clinical staff, ensuring mastery of core competencies and operational standards.
• Promote a positive, inclusive work environment by addressing and resolving conflicts constructively, recognizing achievements, and fostering team engagement.
• Implement data-driven strategies to optimize workload distribution, improve cross-functional coordination, and enhance staff satisfaction.
• Maintain clinical proficiency and participate in on-call schedule as directed by the Director, Organ Utilization, available for consultation outside of regular working hours as needed.
• Function independently as an Organ Utilization Coordinator, managing abdominal organ allocation processes and ensuring adherence to regulatory policies and organizational standards. Analyze clinical data, donor information, and allocation trends to support decision-making on organ suitability and strategic allocation approaches. Oversee the allocation and recovery of research organs and tissues in collaboration with donor hospitals, transplant programs, and other recovery teams as needed.
• Serve as a clinical resource for Organ Utilization Coordinator Team (OUCT) and Organ Optimization staff, offering guidance on allocation processes and logistics.
• Contribute to the development and consistent application of research organ prioritization algorithms.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory standards, industry requirements, and departmental policies related to organ allocation and utilization. Collaborate closely with LifeCenter clinical and surgical teams and other organ recovery teams to facilitate optimal transplant outcomes.
• Partner with the Director, Organ Utilization to develop, track, and report on clinical metrics related to organ allocation decisions and their impact on acceptance rates, using findings to inform process improvements and education initiatives.
• Participate in timely resolution of non-conformance investigations, contributing to the development and implementation of appropriate corrective and preventative actions.
• Contribute to LifeCenter Northwest’s strategic planning efforts and the Organ Utilization Team’s operational plan.
• Based on quality reviews of allocation and logistics processes, make recommendations to the Director, Organ Utilization and/or the Quality and Regulatory Affairs Department for continuous quality improvement projects.
• Support compliance, quality assurance, and performance improvement programs, ensuring all activities align with applicable laws, regulations, and LifeCenter policies and procedures.
• Represent LifeCenter Northwest in regional and national forums focused on transplant utilization strategies, clinical best practices, and workforce development.

Benefits

• LifeCenter Northwest offers medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment insurance, long-term disability insurance, and travel accident insurance.
• Employees have the option of enrolling in the following supplemental or voluntary plans: life insurance, short-term disability, accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness coverage and pet insurance.
• Employees enrolled in our 403(b) program will receive an employer match of up to 7% after one year, employees are auto enrolled at 3% and may change their enrollment at any time.
• LifeCenter encourages all employees to find balance and well-being and provides all employees access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and provides a quarterly Wellness Reimbursement.
• Employees enjoy paid holidays throughout the calendar year and earn 119 hours of PTO annually (to start) as well as Health Time Off hours that is earned 1 hour per 30 worked, paid living donor leave, two weeks paid jury duty leave after 6 months of service, and three weeks of paid parental leave after one year of service is complete.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees