Registered Nurse - Transplant Coordinator

Veterans Health Administration • Washington, DC

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Transplant Coordinator RN is an integral member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team and coordinates comprehensive, patient-centered lung transplant services for Veterans and their families. The nurse provides evidence-based clinical leadership through collaboration, communication, and coordination of resources to promote continuity of care, patient safety, and optimal outcomes.

The position coordinates all phases of the lung transplant process, from referral, evaluation, multidisciplinary pre-transplant assessments, and wait-list management through discharge planning and lifelong post-transplant follow-up. It provides nursing care and care coordination in inpatient and outpatient settings, monitors treatment and medication plans, reviews laboratory and radiology results, and supports patients and families with education and counseling. The coordinator works with the Washington DC VA Medical Center, MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute, VACO, referring providers, and other organizations, and uses databases and tracking systems to monitor patients and ensure timely services.

The role also contributes to policy and protocol development, quality and performance improvement, staff education, mentoring, and competency development. It advocates for Veterans and maintains compliance with VA policies, nursing standards, infection prevention practices, privacy requirements, and accreditation standards.

Work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is ad hoc as determined by the agency; this is not a virtual position. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package, including paid time off, retirement benefits, and federal insurance programs.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an approved professional nursing program accredited by ACEN or CCNE, or qualifying equivalent education as described in the announcement.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registered nurse license in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a Graduate Nurse Technician exception is described for eligible candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the education and experience requirements for the assigned Nurse grade and level.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Selected applicants must undergo a drug test, background/security investigation, pre-employment physical evaluation, onboarding, and required identification verification.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program and completion of annual Employee Health requirements are required.
• May be required to serve a probationary period.
• Physical capabilities include visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, and manual dexterity; the role may involve extended walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, pushing, and transferring patients or objects.

Nice To Haves

• Experienced liver transplant coordinator with experience managing patients through pre-transplant evaluation and listing, post-transplant recovery, and long-term follow-up.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate all phases of the lung transplant process, including referral, evaluation, pre-transplant assessments, wait-list management, discharge planning, and lifelong follow-up.
• Provide evidence-based nursing care, patient management, care coordination, and discharge planning in inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Facilitate timely processing of pre- and post-transplant requirements, including record reviews, monitoring, travel arrangements, imaging, pathology, and transplant consideration packets through the VACO Tracer Program.
• Serve as a liaison among the Washington DC VA Medical Center, MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute, VACO, referring providers, and transplant-related organizations.
• Coordinate care across VA and community healthcare settings to promote continuity throughout the transplant process.
• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate individualized nursing care based on clinical condition, age-specific needs, treatment plans, and transplant requirements.
• Monitor medication management, treatment plans, and interdisciplinary team goals to promote patient safety and transplant outcomes.
• Review and monitor laboratory and radiology results and communicate findings and follow-up needs to healthcare providers.
• Use databases and tracking systems to monitor patients, evaluate outcomes, and ensure timely services.
• Coordinate care from diagnosis through treatment while addressing nursing, medical, and psychosocial needs with the interdisciplinary team.
• Educate and counsel Veterans, families, and caregivers about transplant status, treatment plans, self-management, and transplantation requirements.
• Identify patient-care concerns and initiate referrals to other disciplines and specialty services.
• Document assessments, findings, interventions, and care coordination activities accurately and promptly in the electronic medical record.
• Serve as a clinical consultant and resource to the transplant team and support effective communication and evidence-based decisions.
• Develop and support implementation of policies, procedures, and protocols for consistent and safe transplant care.
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals to evaluate care delivery, identify improvement opportunities, and promote efficient resource use.
• Coordinate staff education and support nursing knowledge and competency development related to lung transplantation.
• Provide oversight of licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants as appropriate, and support nursing education, orientation, and competency development.
• Participate in quality and performance improvement initiatives to enhance transplant services, patient experience, safety, and outcomes.
• Support professional development through mentoring, precepting, teaching, and sharing evidence-based clinical knowledge.
• Advocate for Veterans, families, and caregivers and address concerns related to coordination, timeliness, access, and satisfaction.
• Maintain compliance with VA policies, nursing standards, infection prevention practices, privacy requirements, and accreditation standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 50 days of paid time off per year, comprising 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.

What This Job Offers

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