Transplant Clinical Advisor

When you join the growing BILH team, you're not just taking a job, you’re making a difference in people’s lives. The Beth Israel Lahey Health Heart Transplant Program is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary program launched in August 2023 to expand advanced heart failure care. The program has been recognized by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) for outstanding performance in waitlist survival, access, and one-year outcomes. The clinical team is based on the BIDMC West Campus in a newly designed suite that opened in 2024. Inpatient care before and after transplant takes place in the Klarman Building, a modern, state-of-the-art environment featuring 30 cardiac ICU beds, an accessible rooftop green space, and a healing garden. The program fosters a highly collaborative environment, and this position will receive ongoing guidance from the Heart Transplant Program director and the multidisciplinary team. The Transplant Clinical Advisor – RN is an integral member of the Advanced Heart Failure Program at BIDMC, providing expert clinical care, coordination, and operational program support for patients with advanced heart failure, including those undergoing Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implantation and heart transplantation (OHT). This role supports the seamless progression of care from initial referral through long-term follow-up, ensuring the highest quality, patient-centered outcomes. The Transplant Clinical Advisor – RN collaborates with cardiothoracic surgeons, heart failure cardiologists, nurse practitioners, nursing colleagues, and multidisciplinary team members to deliver safe, effective, and compassionate care. The Transplant Clinical Advisor – RN works in collaboration with the Director of Heart Transplant & Specialty Programs, assisting with clinical escalation of patient care, developing workflows, providing necessary coverage based on staffing needs, and monitoring clinical coverage for the various departments. Job Description Clinical Care & Coordination Ensures that care is consistent with hospital standards and medical orders Coordinates care for heart failure, LVAD, and heart transplant patients across the continuum: evaluation, assessment, scheduling, consultation, treatment, discharge, and follow-up. Performs and documents patient evaluations and assessments; orders labs, imaging, and diagnostic studies per protocol. Provides education to patients and families regarding treatment plans, VAD management, post-transplant care, and long-term health maintenance. Participates in multidisciplinary case conferences. Leadership In collaboration with the Nursing Director, develops and enforces clinical and operational protocols that align with hospital standards, professional best practices, and regulatory requirements. Functions as the on-site nursing supervisor, providing direction to nursing and non-nursing staff to ensure safe, effective, and consistent care delivery. Serves as a primary clinical resource for heart failure, LVAD and heart transplant patient care, offering real-time guidance and troubleshooting to team members. Leads or participates in the development and implementation of quality improvement initiatives, actively monitoring outcomes and initiating corrective measures when necessary. Supports staff onboarding, training, and competency validation related to heart failure, LVAD and OHT care, ensuring team readiness and skill proficiency. Facilitates interdisciplinary communication and problem-solving during patient care or operational challenges, escalating concerns to leadership as appropriate. Monitors resource utilization, staffing levels, and workflow efficiency, making adjustments to support patient care priorities and departmental needs. Represents the Advanced Heart Failure Program in internal and external meetings, serving as a liaison between hospital administration, clinical teams, and referring facilities. Program & Quality Oversight Assists in survey and certification work for oversight groups such as Joint Commission, United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Participates in process improvement initiatives and quality monitoring to enhance patient care and program performance. Contributes to the development of patient and family educational materials. Stays current in clinical knowledge and skills through ongoing education, literature review, and collaboration with colleagues. Collaboration & Leadership Works collegially with physicians, advanced practice providers, and multidisciplinary team members (including social work, palliative care, and inpatient staff) to address patient needs and optimize outcomes. Acts as a patient advocate, fostering relationships built on trust, respect, and clear communication. Participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs, care standards, and performance metrics. Professional Development & Compliance Maintains all mandatory education, certifications, and unit-based competencies. Demonstrates accountability for personal practice, patient safety, and continuous professional growth. Upholds the mission, values, and goals of the Medical Center in all aspects of patient care and program support. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Nursing required. License Registered Nurse required. American Heart Association – Basic Life support Certificate required. 3‑5 years related work experience required. Demonstrated leadership through progressively responsible nursing assignments. Experience with computer systems required, including web based applications and some Microsoft Office applications which may include Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Access. Preferred Qualifications Experience in a teaching hospital and specialty area expertise. Competencies Decision Making: Ability to make decisions that are guided by precedents, policies and objectives. Regularly makes decisions and recommendations on issues affecting a department or functional area. Problem Solving: Ability to address problems that are highly varied, complex and often non‑recurring, requiring staff input, innovative, creative, and Lean diagnostic techniques to resolve issues. Independence of Action: Ability to set goals and determines how to accomplish defined results with some guidelines. Manager/Director provides broad guidance and overall direction. Written Communications: Ability to summarize and communicate in English moderately complex information in varied written formats to internal and external customers. Oral Communications: Ability to comprehend and communicate complex verbal information in English to medical center staff, patients, families and external customers. Knowledge: Ability to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of concepts, practices and policies with the ability to use them in complex varied situations. Team Work: Ability to act as a team leader for small projects or work groups, creating a collaborative and respectful team environment and improving workflows. Results may impact the operations of one or more departments. Customer Service: Ability to provide a high level of customer service and staff training to meet customer service standards and expectations for the assigned unit(s). Resolves service issues in the assigned unit(s) in a timely and respectful manner. Pay Range $83,853.54 USD - $216,673.27 USD The pay range listed for this position is the annual base salary range the organization reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position at this time. Actual compensation is determined based on several factors, that may include seniority, education, training, relevant experience, relevant certifications, geography of work location, job responsibilities, or other applicable factors permissible by law. As a health care organization, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. Beth Israel Lahey Health requires that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) as a condition of employment. More than 35,000 people working together. Nurses, doctors, technicians, therapists, researchers, teachers and more, making a difference in patients' lives. Your skill and compassion can make us even stronger. Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled #J-18808-Ljbffr