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 general supervision, the Nurse Practitioner (NP) is responsible for providing pre- and post-transplant patient care in the Heart Transplant Program. Provides clinical assistance and support in treating and managing inpatients and outpatients and acts as key member of the multidisciplinary transplant team. Evaluates patients pre and post-transplant, primarily in the outpatient setting, including history and physical, patient preparation, procedures and management. Solves complex clinical problems and communicates directly with the attending physician, fellows and residents.

The NP is a consultant and liaison for patients and their families with attending physicians, house staff, social service staff, financial and administrative staff, inpatient nursing and community organizations. Provides teaching to patients, staff, and community organizations. Designated expert resource person on the basis of advanced clinical expertise in patient care for lung transplant patients. Assigned more complex cases requiring the use of advanced skills and typically works with greater independence.

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

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

• National NP board certification in aligned specialty with the practice area.

• BLS certification at time of hire with commitment to get BART within six months of hire date.

• A minimum of two (2) years recent experience (within the past 2 years) working in an outpatient cardiology clinic or in a dedicated inpatient cardiology unit as an RN or NP, caring for heart transplant patients or candidates.

• Demonstrates motivation in working with heart transplant patient population.

• Demonstrated knowledge of ability to appropriately triage patient calls.

• Strong clinical thinking and problem-solving skills to manage multiple levels of information and responsibilities, and to quickly assess complex problems and develop potential solutions.

• Must be able to function in a fast-paced environment, have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and consistently demonstrated empathy and kindness to all staff and patients.

• Demonstrates critical thinking and clinical skills to identify and implement nursing interventions and evaluate results.

• Must have excellent skills to communicate and influence effectively with all levels of staff, physicians, patients and external constituents both verbally and in written form.

• Ability to work cohesively on a multidisciplinary team.

• Three (3) years or more of working NP experience.

• VAD, cardiology, heart transplant work experience.

• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.

• 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.

• Current UCSD NPIII employees may be hired at the NPIII level pending review and approval by Health Human Resources and the UCSD Advanced Practice Council.