Pediatric Heart Transplant RN Program Manager

Ascension • Austin, TX

43d • Onsite

About The Position

Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 97,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you’ll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.

Requirements

• 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.
• Diploma from an accredited school/college of nursing with experience required.
• 3 years of experience required.
• 1 year of leadership or management experience required.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• 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).
• Co-author, execute, and scale the heart transplant program's strategic expansion plan in direct alignment with the Program, Medical, and Surgical Directors.
• 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.
• Drive continuous process improvement (CPI) initiatives across clinic workflows, referral loops, electronic health record (EHR/OTTR) buildouts, financial stewardship, and quality data management.
• 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).
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree