Program Manager-Transplant Program Development

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

The Program Manager reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Transplant Program Development Team is responsible for educating patients and healthcare professionals about kidney, liver, and pancreas transplantation, highlighting available transplant options and the unique advantages of the Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive Transplant Center.

Key responsibilities include:

• Kidney transplant outreach: Building relationships with patients, nephrologists, and dialysis professionals through visits to dialysis centers and nephrology offices.
• Liver transplant outreach: Engaging gastroenterologists, advanced practice providers, nurses, and other GI professionals in community practices to promote transplant services.
• Satellite clinic management: Coordinating and staffing nine kidney satellite clinics across the Chicago metropolitan area with transplant nephrologists to improve patient access and referral development.

Overall, the team focuses on patient and provider education, community outreach, referral growth, and expanding access to transplant care throughout the region.

Responsibilities: 

• Responsible for developing and managing the following for assigned projects; budgets, resource allocation, information distribution, meeting facilitation and overall performance reporting
• Apply standard project management methodologies throughout the project lifecycle including; analysis, design, implementation, verification as well as value measurement definition
• Utilize project management tools to ensure accuracy for planning, procurement and budgeting
• Participate in analyst activities such as requirements analysis, resource identification, solution definition, white paper development, implementation/work plan development, design, system testing, training plans and rollout strategies
• Manage day to day operational aspects of a project and scope and effectively minimizes exposure and risk
• Prepare and reviews deliverables for leadership approval. Ensure project documents are complete, current, and stored appropriately.
• Establish and execute effective and efficient communication mechanisms which enable continuous exchange of project status, ideas and information, project developments among team members, NM Executives (project sponsors) and vendor partners. 
• Establish and maintain effective communications regarding project status.
• Work within project budget to ensure that expenditures are integrated with the NMHC Long Term Financial Plan and Annual Capital Budget
• Provides leadership and guidance required to effectively define, plan and implement projects
• Responsible for developing and maintaining productive and cordial relationships with clients and team members, serving as a link between multiple parties and entities. Must be able to effectively manage problems that arise within the project team or issues with clients, and recommend mitigation strategies as needed to achieve the desired results.
• Create and execute project work plans and revises as appropriate to meet changing needs and requirements.

In addition, this role oversees the development, outreach, and access-to-care activities of the transplant program. Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the Program Development Team, including:
  • Transplant Nurse Coordinators (TNCs) supporting outreach and patient care
  • Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) supporting outreach and patient care
  • Health Literacy Coach focused on patient care
  • Medical Assistant supporting clinical care
• Managing kidney satellite clinics and dialysis outreach programs to strengthen referral relationships and patient access.
• Overseeing Access to Care programs, including:
  • African American Transplant Access Program (AATAP)
  • Hispanic Transplant Program (HTP)

The Program Manager partners with dedicated LCSWs and physician leaders to ensure patient needs are met, promote culturally competent care, and develop strategies to attract and support new patients.

• Leading liver transplant outreach efforts by building relationships with community gastroenterologists and their staff to promote Northwestern Medicine’s liver transplant services and increase referrals.

Required

• Bachelor Degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Management, Communications or related field. 
• Strong Knowledge of Microsoft: Word, Excel, Power Point, Project
• Demonstrated project management and organizational skills, demonstrated analysis and problem-solving skills, excellent oral and communication skills, demonstrated ability to effectively establish and maintain working relationships with peers and constituents at all levels of the organization.   

Preferred

• Master’s degree in MBA or MHA preferred (required in place of work experience).

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check.  Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. 

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.