Assistant Nurse Manager - Heart Transplant Clinic

Discover Vanderbilt Health : With eight hospitals and over 180 clinics, we are the region’s largest comprehensive academic health system. Vanderbilt Health has a long tradition of providing world-class care to the people of the Mid-South, living out our mission of moving medicine forward through preeminent programs in patient care, education and research. Here you’ll find a spirit of collaboration and a supportive community where your expertise is valued, your knowledge expanded and your uniqueness celebrated. We are committed to fostering an environment where talented, compassionate people are united in bringing the most advanced care to our neighbors throughout the region.

Organization:

Heart Transplant Program

Job Summary:

The Assistant Manager Transplant leads staff members and actively participates in overall management of the area, development of clinical practice, and provision of patient care with accountabilities for implementation and outcomes for people leadership, quality, service, compliance, finance, throughput and scheduling. Under the guidance and direction of the manager, develops, implements and evaluates systems that promote cost-effective quality patient care. .

Department Summary

Vanderbilt Health is home to one of the world’s leading heart transplant programs, recognized for exceptional patient outcomes, groundbreaking innovation, and expertise in caring for complex, high-risk patients. The program provides advanced treatment for conditions including cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease, and graft failure requiring retransplantation. In 2025, Vanderbilt set a world record by performing 210 adult and pediatric heart transplants, demonstrating the depth of experience and clinical excellence that distinguish the program. Vanderbilt’s multidisciplinary team also performs specialized heart-kidney, heart-liver, and heart-lung transplants for patients experiencing multi-organ failure.

As a national leader in transplant medicine, Vanderbilt offers innovative therapies and mechanical circulatory support technologies, including ventricular assist devices (VADs), total artificial hearts, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The program has pioneered advances such as transplantation of hearts from hepatitis C-positive donors and the use of ex vivo heart perfusion technology, expanding donor availability and improving transplant success. Vanderbilt is also one of only a select number of centers designated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide transplant services for veterans. Supported by specialized transplant pharmacists, dedicated pediatric transplant services through Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, and a collaborative team of nationally recognized experts, Vanderbilt continues to deliver some of the most advanced and innovative heart transplant care in the nation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• •Implements area-specific operational and quality plans linked to PCC, Hospitals and Vanderbilt Clinic goals, under guidance of the Manager.
• •Works as a liaison with physician and Transplant Center leadership to promote a collaborative work environment, embodying the multidisciplinary structure of the Transplant Center.
• •Participates in and contributes to system quality initiatives, research, development of care protocols and evidence-based activities that improve patient care and outcomes, that also ensure alignment with up-to-date transplant and organ-specific national guidance.
• •Ensures the unit's optimal performance by engaging in effective problem solving for staff, patients and families.
• •Actively engages in activities to promote the field of organ donation and organ transplantation.
• •Acts as a clinical leader and facilitates education for staff on clinical standards; routinely provides guidance and coaching to subordinates/peers within clinical specialty.
• •The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position and additional duties may be assigned.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

• •LEADERSHIP(Novice): Sets the example in challenging and difficult situations. Can demonstrate different leadership styles, such as supportive and authoritative, as individuals and situations require it. Communicates team and unit goals clearly and effectively. Is receptive to ideas and suggestions from team members. Shows leadership and initiative in situations where supervision is not present or required.
• •COMPLIANCE (Novice): Can explain and apply basic statutory instructions in normal situations on the job. Understands the principles upon which the rules and regulations are based. Appropriately escalates problems relating to rules and regulations in timely and effective manner.
• •PEOPLE MANAGEMENT (Novice): Conducts performance reviews. Effectively delegates tasks to others. Coaches subordinates on technical and interpersonal topics, as well as professional development. Demonstrates team-building techniques and provides leadership through personal example of good work habits, open communication and effective people relationships. Involves subordinates in decisions which affect them. Demonstrates self-reliance and resourcefulness as an example to others.
• •OPERATIONS PLANNING (Novice): Demonstrates ability to realistically anticipate resource needs, identify discrete tasks, set priorities, define dependencies, schedule activities, meet deadlines, and organize work within areas of direct responsibility. Appropriately matches equipment and capital resources to task demands. Achieves results within budget. Competently handles multiple assignments simultaneously. Reshapes project during life-cycle evolution, if needed. Demonstrates ability to break down work into manageable and measurable units. Accepts changes to assignments with minimal disruption and loss of productivity. Able to absorb changes to major assignments while maintaining a high level of performance. Uses available time efficiently. Follows up to ensure problems and issues are resolved.
• •BUSINESS RESULTS (Fundamental Awareness): Implements appropriate measures for attaining business results and tracks progress in meeting goals and objectives. Demonstrates the ability to deliver products and services on time, within budget, and in accordance with organizational standards and goals. Continuously demonstrates a strong focus on quality. Responds effectively to customer or client needs. Recognizes problems and communicates them to management.
• •QUALITY MANAGEMENT (Novice): Has provided continuous analysis and evaluation of assignment work processes. Constantly strives for improvement in the way tasks and activities are accomplished by questioning their value to the process and contributing creative solutions. Has participated in establishing, communicating and monitoring standards for quality and excellence. Demonstrates the ability to work on and improve a current business process, product or service.

Our Nursing Philosophy:

We believe highly skilled and specialized nursing care is essential to Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s mission of quality in patient care, education and research. We believe nursing is an applied art and science focused on helping people, families and communities reach excellent health and well-being.

As a Vanderbilt University Medical Center employee, you make a difference to our patients and their families by bringing compassion and care to those in need of hope and healing. Please see our current employee benefits offered:

• •Affordable High Quality Health Plan Options
• •Dental and /or vision plan
• •403 (b) retirement plan
• •Paid Time off (flex PTO)
• •Tuition Reimbursement and adoption assistance (maximums applied)
• •Short-Long term disability
• •Subsidized backup childcare
• •And many more... Ask us about our current inpatient nursing supplemental Pay Program!

Achieve the Remarkable:

Learn more about VUMC Nursing here .

Core Accountabilities