(NP) Nurse Practitioner - Inpatient Transplant - 138362

UC San Diego Health is a Magnet designated organization, which is a prestigious recognition that applies to only 10% of all U.S. hospitals. Magnet is the "gold standard" for nursing excellence and is based on strengths in five key areas which include transformational leadership, structural empowerment, exemplary professional practice, new knowledge, innovation and improvements and empirical outcomes. UC San Diego Health has held its Magnet status since 2011.

Under the direction of Transplant Surgery, the Nurse Practitioner provides comprehensive inpatient medical management for liver and kidney transplant recipients, with primary responsibility for care during the early post-operative and complex post-transplant phases. This role requires advanced clinical judgment to independently assess, diagnose, and manage high-acuity transplant patients, including interpreting transplant-specific laboratory data and diagnostic studies, and managing immunosuppression and transplant-related complications. The APP evaluates patients for escalation of care, performs procedures as credentialed, provides consultative services, and ensures accurate, timely documentation in the medical record.

The Nurse Practitioner (NP) works in close collaboration with transplant surgeons, transplant hepatologists and nephrologists, and the multidisciplinary transplant team to ensure continuity and consistency of care across the inpatient setting. Responsibilities include presenting patients during daily rounds and transplant clinical meetings, coordinating care across disciplines, and serving as a clinical liaison to promote standardized medical management throughout the transplant program.

In addition, the NP provides education to transplant patients and families regarding post-transplant care, medication management, rejection risk, and recovery expectations, and serves as a clinical resource for inpatient nursing staff caring for transplant populations. The role includes participation in quality improvement initiatives, policy development, and professional activities, with evolving responsibilities as patient and system needs change.

While not required, a cover letter is highly recommended when applying to this position.

• Must be a graduate of an accredited nurse practitioner program.

• California Registered Nurse (RN) license, California Nurse Practitioner (NP) license, and Furnishing License Certification.

• Current UCSD ART certification, or BLS and ACLS certifications at time of hire, with commitment to get ART within six (6) months of hire date.

• Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (NP) Certification (AGACNP).

• Less than 6 months of experience as a Nurse Practitioner.

• A minimum of two (2+) or more years of recent acute care ICU or PACU RN experience (within the last two years).

• Inpatient solid organ transplant NP clinical rotations within an academic medical center within the last two years.

• Advanced clinical knowledge of solid organ transplant care, including post-operative management, immunosuppression protocols, transplant-related complications and rejection, and expected recipient outcomes.

• Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex, high-acuity transplant patients in a fast-paced inpatient setting, with evidence-based, sound clinical judgment and appropriate escalation of care.

• Proven expertise in rapid patient assessment, stabilization, and escalation of care in fast-paced, high-acuity clinical environments.

• Strong understanding of transplant-specific pathophysiology, laboratory interpretation (normal and abnormal values), and medication management for transplant populations.

• Proven ability to function effectively within an interdisciplinary inpatient care team, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and ancillary staff.

• Strong verbal and written communication and documentation skills, with the ability to guide care teams, educate patients and families, and participate in group teaching or outreach activities. Consistently demonstrate professionalism, empathy, and kindness to all staff and patients.

• Experience with Epic.

• Experience leading or actively participating in Quality Improvement (QI) and/or Performance Improvement (PI) initiatives aimed at advancing clinical outcomes, operational workflows, or patient experience.

• Must be able to work various hours, days, and shifts based on the 24-hour Medical Center's business needs.

• Weekend coverage required.

• Holiday coverage required (rotations of minor and major holidays annually).

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.

• Must be able to obtain UCSD Medical Staff privileges and maintain during employment. Due to advanced practice credentialing eligibility, clinical advanced practice experience must be within the last two years gained through school or work experience.