Director, Organ Utilization

Director, Organ Utilization

The Director, Organ Utilization (Director), is responsible for overseeing the processes and teams that manage organ allocation, placement, and transportation to maximize organ use and increase the number of transplants facilitated by LifeCenter Northwest (LifeCenter). This role requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and a comprehensive understanding of organ donation systems, allocation practices, and regulatory compliance. The Director develops and executes strategies to improve organ allocation strategy and organ utilization, collaborates closely with transplant programs and the surgical recovery team and ensures that allocation and placement processes are timely, compliant, and efficient. This position partners with internal leaders to align operational practices, data analysis, and communication strategies that support the organization's mission and performance goals.

Essential Job Functions :

• Leadership Responsibilities
• Oversees daily operations of the organ utilization team, including allocation processes for both transplantation and research.
• Manages staff to ensure efficient workflows, timely communication, and compliance with organizational policies and regulatory standards.
• Provides leadership for the organ utilization team, ensuring performance standards align with LifeCenter Northwest's mission and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Develops and implements strategies to improve organ acceptance rates, reduce non-use, and streamline placement workflows.
• Collaborates with the Organ Utilization team to align performance initiatives, data accuracy, training, and communication strategies that advance utilization outcomes.
• Partners with transplant centers, surgical recovery teams, and internal clinical staff to enhance placement coordination and optimize allocation outcomes.
• Works with Quality and Regulatory Affairs (QRA) and Business Intelligence (BI) teams to evaluate utilization trends, monitor performance metrics, and identify opportunities for system improvement.
• Supports the development and implementation of the Organ Utilization strategic plan, ensuring initiatives are aligned with organizational goals.
• Serves as a thought leader in emerging practices related to allocation policy and utilization improvement.
• Participates in the annual budget process, providing administrative and fiscal oversight of departmental budgets.
• Fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across the organ utilization function.
• Mentors and develops the manager(s) and lead staff, ensuring effective delegation, alignment, and performance management.
• Collaborates with extended senior leadership to develop and execute initiatives aimed at enhancing organ utilization efficiency and transplant outcomes.
• Oversee the development and implementation of protocols and best practices to maximize the utilization of organs for transplantation.
• Collaborates with transplant teams and other stakeholders to ensure timely and appropriate allocation of organs, adhering to regulatory standards and ethical guidelines.
• Serves as a subject matter expert and collaborative partner to the Organ Utilization team and transplant centers, supporting communication, alignment, and process improvement initiatives that enhance organ placement and utilization outcomes.
• Act as a point of contact for all communications, complaints, and inquiries from transplant centers and organ preservation partners regarding organ. Take proactive measures to address and resolve issues promptly and optimize utilization outcomes.
• Collaborates with ODS Directors to develop and implement the clinical operations strategic plan and ensure that initiatives are carried out to achieve KPIs and donation and transplant rate goals.
• Works in concert with the Manager(s), Surgical Recovery, Surgical Organ Recovery Specialists and Recovery Surgeons to increase organ utilization.
• Ensures strict adherence to regulatory standards and guidelines governing organ allocation.
• Implements quality assurance measures to maintain high standards of quality and safety in all aspects of organ utilization and surgical organ recovery and perfusion.
• Employee Development and Coaching
• Provides comprehensive coaching and mentoring to staff members to enhance their professional development and performance, fostering a supportive and motivating work environment.
• Engages with staff to identify their strengths, areas for growth, and career aspirations, and develop individualized plans to support their growth and advancement within the organization.
• Creates opportunities for skill-building, training, and learning experiences to empower staff members to reach their full potential and contribute effectively to LifeCenter Northwest's mission.
• Fosters a culture of collaboration, teamwork, and mutual respect among staff members, promoting a positive and inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
• Leads by example, demonstrating a commitment to excellence, integrity, and professional growth, and inspiring staff members to uphold these values in their work.
• Encourages open communication and transparency, actively listening to staff feedback and addressing any concerns or challenges in a timely and constructive manner.
• Recognizes and celebrates the achievements and contributions of staff members, reinforcing a culture of appreciation and recognition within the organization.
• Supervision
• This position is accountable for the direction and strategy for assigned department(s) and responsible for the direct oversight of the leadership for that team. As a result of responsibilities and expertise, will provide direction to various individuals within the department. This position is a member of the extended senior leadership team of LifeCenter Northwest and has influence interdepartmentally as well as cross functionally.
• Other Responsibilities
• Actively participates in Clinical Advisory Committee meetings.
• Leads review and analysis of OPTN policy proposals and advises extended senior leadership on transplant center impact.
• Collaborates with Finance department to develop and maintain a responsible financial strategy for utilization department.
• Engages in activities and initiatives with donation and transplantation professional associations such as AOPO, OPTN, etc.
• Maintains current knowledge of the donation and transplantation industry.
• Participates in professional development activities to keep current with trends and practices in donation, transplantation and health care.
• Performs other related duties as required by the needs of the company and the senior leadership team.
• Leads and actively participates in employee committees and events.
• Complies with applicable laws, regulations, and LifeCenter policies and procedures.

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