Organ Utilization Manager

The Organ Utilization Manager (OUM) is responsible for the strategic direction and daily operational management of the Organ Utilization Coordinator Team (OUCT). This leadership role is centered on optimizing the utilization of abdominal organs for transplant and research, overseeing allocation and logistical activities. The OUM provides operational leadership and management to the OUCT, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. The OUM drives team performance, and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to ensure regulatory compliance and enhance organ utilization processes. The OUM leads strategic utilization initiatives, spearheading program development to improve efficiency, minimize organ loss, and maximize transplantation rates.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

General Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee day-to-day operations of the organ utilization function, ensuring the team executes allocation and logistical activities.
• Develop, implement, and monitor initiatives designed to optimize abdominal allocation and logistics operations, ensuring effective utilization of resources.
• Champions collaboration among stakeholders to drive successful organ transplantation and advance the field of organ transplantation.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and organizational policies related to organ donation and transplantation.
• Implement quality assurance measures and performance metrics to monitor and evaluate organ utilization outcomes, identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Hire and staff the OUCT team and collaborate with the Organ Utilization Program Manager (OUPM) with new hire onboarding for OUCT staff and providing ongoing education and training as necessary.
• Coordinate monthly clinical on-call schedules and revise assignments as needed.
• Collaborate with the Organ Utilization Director to manage departmental budgets and identify opportunities for cost management.
• Work in concert with Director, Organ Utilization, OUPM, Surgical Recovery Manager, Surgical Organ Recovery Specialist(s), Organ Preservation Program Manager, Organ Recovery Manager(s), and Quality and Regulatory Affairs Department to reduce risk and ensure quality processes are in place.

Managing, Coaching, and Leading the Organ Utilization Team

• Provide leadership and direction to the Organ Utilization Coordinator Team (OUCT), fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
• Develop and implement management strategies to ensure team efficiency, accountability, and goal alignment with organizational objectives.
• Coach and mentor team members, providing constructive feedback, guidance, and support to enhance their professional growth and performance.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, set clear expectations, and develop individualized development plans to foster continuous improvement.
• Lead team meetings and ensure effective communication of departmental goals, updates, and performance metrics.
• Collaborate with the Director of Organ Utilization to align team objectives with broader organizational strategies and initiatives.
• Address and resolve conflicts within the team, promoting a positive and inclusive work environment.
• Recognize and reward team achievements, fostering motivation and engagement.
• In partnership with the OUPM, coordinate the onboarding of new team members, ensuring they are fully integrated and equipped to succeed in their roles as well as training and development initiatives and core competencies for the OUCT and other clinical staff, ensuring competency in allocation processes, regulatory compliance, and best practices.
• Provide operational leadership and support for ongoing professional development opportunities.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Maintain clinical proficiency and participate in on-call schedule as directed by Organ Utilization Director. Available for consultation by phone outside of regular working hours as needed.
• Function independently as an Organ Utilization Coordinator, overseeing allocation processes and ensuring compliance with regulatory policies.
• Analyze clinical data and allocation trends to inform decision-making on organ suitability and allocation strategies.
• Manage the allocation and recovery of research organs and tissues, collaborating with donor hospital staff, transplant programs, and other recovery teams as needed.
• Serve as a clinical resource for OUCT and Organ Recovery Coordinators, providing expertise in allocation and logistics.
• Participates in the development of research organ prioritization algorithms and manages the allocation and recovery of research organs and tissues.
• Develops and ensures the consistent application and compliance with regulatory standards/requirements plus departmental policies and procedures.
• Collaborates with LifeCenter clinical and surgical teams and other organ recovery teams to facilitate successful transplant outcomes.

Admin and Quality Responsibilities

• Participate in timely resolution of non-conformance investigations and development of appropriate corrective and preventative actions. 
• Review and signoff OUCT timesheets and corporate VISA expense reports.
• Assist in LifeCenter Northwest strategic planning along with the Organ Utilization Team’s operations plan. Based on quality reviews of allocation and logistic processes, make recommendations to the Director, Organ Utilization and/or Quality and Regulatory Affairs Department for continual quality improvement projects.

Other Responsibilities

• Follows other instructions/directions and will perform other related duties as required by the needs of the company and the leadership team.

• Complies with applicable laws, regulations, and LifeCenter policies and procedures.
• Participates in compliance, quality assurance, and performance improvement programs and initiatives.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• In-depth understanding of regulatory requirements, industry standards, and best practices related to organ allocation, utilization, and transplantation.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, reduce organ loss, and maximize transplantation rates.
• Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing teams.
• Advanced clinical expertise and strategic decision-making abilities, with the capacity to navigate complex situations and make informed, high-impact decisions.
• Superior communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively present information, educate others, and collaborate with diverse 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 represent the donation and transplantation process in various formal and informal educational settings.
• Must demonstrate compassion, ethical integrity, and strong organizational skills, with the ability to work effectively under deadline constraints and handle multiple priorities.
• Ability to foster a positive organizational culture based on collaboration, support, and constructive communication, while ensuring alignment with organizational goals.

BEHAVIORAL REQUIREMENTS

The employee in this position must uphold the core values of LifeCenter; these include:

• Integrity: We are trustworthy, reliable, respectful, and accountable.
• Collaboration: We work in partnership with others, seeking to understand and be understood, and finding common ground and shared goals to build upon together.
• Courage: We take personal responsibility and face challenges head-on.
• Service: Through professionalism and dedication, we honor our commitment to serve others and our obligation to be good stewards of the gift of life

Physical Activities/Requirements

• 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.
• Work is normally performed in an office or home-based office setting, as well as other business environments

ANTICIPATED WEEKLY TIME COMMITMENT

This position may require work outside of regular business hours, including evenings and weekends, sometimes without advance notice.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of 5-7 years of relevant management experience, preferably in organ donation, allocation, transplantation, or a related healthcare field, preferred
• Bachelor’s degree and/or comparable organ donation and allocation experience 
• Requires a valid driver’s license and access to an insured automobile for work-related functions at expected times.
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or applicable medical or religious exemption will be required as a condition of employment upon offer.

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. A comprehensive review of benefits can be found at https://lcnw.org/about/employment-opportunities/.

The pay range for this role is provided above. Where a candidate’s compensation falls within this range is based on several bona fide factors such as experience, tenure, and other specialized knowledge. LifeCenter Northwest is committed to providing its employees equitable and competitive compensation.

LifeCenter Northwest is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer