Chief Operations Officer

Sierra Donor Services – New Mexico (SDS) is looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic team member to join us in saving lives. Our mission at SDS is to save lives through organ and tissue donation, and we want professionals on our team that will embrace this important work. We are seeking a Chief Operations Officer to oversee all clinical operations – including donor authorization, donor management, organ recovery, logistics, and organ utilization. This role is critical to providing leadership and guidance to all clinical teams, aligning daily activities with our strategic and operational goals to maximize donation. Extensive on‑call duties and travel will be required. This is a great opportunity to serve as a lifeline to those on the transplant waiting list.

Key Responsibilities

• Achieve strategic objectives through monitoring and analyzing data to maximize organ donation and identify trends and areas for improvement; formulate plans and collaborate with clinical teams, hospital partners, and medical staff.
• Oversee clinical operations for the organization in accordance with company policies, CMS regulations, and UNOS/OSHA guidelines.
• Work with operational leaders to forecast staffing needs for projected donor events. Ensure the recruitment and training of the clinical department to ensure core competency. Partner with Training/Education Department to assess needs and competencies of the clinical department. Direct coordination of clinical affinity groups to ensure the clinical staff are current on company policies and emerging trends within the industry.
• Partner with both Clinical leadership and HR leadership to complete annual performance evaluations of all staff. Provide routine coaching and feedback to employees. Continue to develop bench strength.
• Oversee the overall operational, budgetary, and financial responsibilities of the department. Analyze variances and work to actively reduce costs.
• Work in collaboration with the Medical Director to continually review and enhance clinical evaluation, donor management, organ allocation, and organ recovery practices for the purpose of identifying and resolving clinical process and performance issues.
• Analyze data to forecast current & future departmental needs of the department. Develop, interpret, and analyze data relating to the nature and volume of clinical activity. Data reviewed may include referrals, determining eligibility, introduction and approach issues, consent and conversion rates, clinical donor management, and organ allocation and transplantation yield.
• Coordinate periodic onsite meetings with transplant centers and hospital partners.
• Work with other department directors to facilitate communication between departments and encourage clinical staff to support and participate in initiatives of the organization. Work with all Department Leaders to facilitate communication, encourage support, and ensure quality processes throughout the organization.
• Facilitate interaction with senior management, Medical Advisory Committee and Medical Directors to provide input from clinical perspective regarding organizational goals and policy / procedures.
• Participate in internal and external committees to represent the clinical services department and the organization.
• Additional duties as assigned.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

• 5+ years of OPO clinical management experience required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Health Administration.
• Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Valid Driver’s License with ability to pass MVR underwriting requirements.
• New employees must have their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by their potential start date and be able to supply proof of vaccination.

We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.