Transplant Coordinator (RN) - VAD

For an experienced cardiac, heart failure, transplant, or mechanical circulatory support RN, this is an opportunity to practice at the center of one of the most specialized and rapidly expanding areas of advanced cardiovascular care. 

In this Transplant Coordinator RN position at UVA Health, you will support patients living with ventricular assist devices (VAD) through high-touch outpatient coordination, surveillance, triage, education, and multidisciplinary care planning. This role is ideal for a nurse who brings strong clinical judgment, exceptional attention to detail, patient advocacy, and the ability to recognize subtle changes before they become urgent clinical concerns. 

The Role 

In this ambulatory Post VAD coordinator role, you will help manage the ongoing care of patients with advanced heart failure who are living with mechanical circulatory support. The work is clinically complex, relationship-driven, and highly collaborative, with close partnership across APPs, physicians, surgeons, transplant coordinators, inpatient and outpatient clinicians, and support teams. 

The VAD program is experiencing extraordinary growth, creating a meaningful opportunity for an RN who wants to build long-term specialty expertise in advanced heart failure, transplant, and mechanical circulatory support. You will be part of a team that helps patients navigate life with sophisticated cardiac device therapy while supporting safety, continuity, and quality of life. 

This position is Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, in an ambulatory/outpatient setting. The first six months are onsite and include a structured onboarding process, dedicated transplant education, extensive specialty training, and strong multidisciplinary support. After orientation completion, there may be potential for hybrid/work-from-home flexibility. 

In an average day, you may: 

• Coordinate care for patients living with ventricular assist devices, including advanced mechanical circulatory support therapies 

• Conduct ongoing surveillance, follow-up calls, and clinical check-ins with patients 

• Assess and triage concerns related to bleeding, infection risk, driveline complications, device-related issues, and evolving symptoms 

• Coordinate outside laboratory monitoring and ensure patient information is reviewed, routed, and acted upon appropriately 

• Collaborate with APPs and physicians to implement provider-directed care plans within RN scope 

• Serve as a trusted triage resource for patients and families, escalating urgent clinical situations when needed 

• Help reduce provider administrative burden through thoughtful care coordination and follow-through 

• Support multidisciplinary care planning across the continuum of care 

• Build meaningful, longitudinal relationships with patients who require high-touch, specialized, patient-centered support 

Why UVA Health 

UVA Health offers the environment, complexity, and collaboration that experienced nurses look for when they are ready to deepen their specialty practice. This role sits within the Mechanical Circulatory Support/VAD Program, part of UVA Health’s expanding Heart Failure and Transplant Services, where the work is clinically sophisticated, mission-driven, and directly connected to patients with advanced cardiovascular disease. 

This is a chance to join one of UVA Health’s fastest-growing specialty programs, with significant program investment, increasing patient volumes, and expanding need for expert RN coordination. For nurses with backgrounds in VAD/LVAD, heart failure, transplant, cardiac step-down, CVICU, cardiac ICU, cardiothoracic surgery, or cardiac case management, this role offers a rare opportunity to move into a focused specialty where assessment, communication, and care coordination directly shape patient outcomes. 

At UVA Health, you will find: 

• An academic medical center environment where nurses work alongside transplant, advanced heart failure, APP, physician, and surgical experts 

• Exposure to highly complex cardiovascular patients and advanced mechanical circulatory support technologies, including HeartMate, HeartWare, Impella, and other cardiac support systems 

• A collaborative team model with strong mentorship, dedicated training, and multidisciplinary support 

• A mission-driven culture where long-term patient relationships are central to the work 

• A nursing environment that supports professional growth through Magnet-recognized nursing excellence, professional governance, clinical career development, research, and quality improvement 

• The opportunity to contribute to UVA Health’s broader mission of transforming health and inspiring hope through clinical care, research, education, and community engagement 

• A role with real strategic importance, created because of program growth and increasing patient volumes 

• Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates. 

UVA Health Transplant Services is connected to the Charles O. Strickler Transplant Center, the only comprehensive transplant center in Virginia, and supports patients across heart, lung, liver, kidney, and pancreas transplant care. For a nurse who wants a long-term home in advanced cardiovascular and transplant care, this position offers specialty depth, career growth, patient impact, and the chance to help shape a rapidly expanding program.