Job DescriptionThe Clinical Program Director (CPD) for the Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy (SCTCT) Program provides visionary leadership, strategic planning, and operational oversight for all clinical aspects of the SCTCT program. The CPD ensures the highest standards of patient care and safety in alignment with institutional priorities and the Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) requirements.
The CPD drives evidence-based practice, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, and leads programmatic growth across inpatient, outpatient, and apheresis services. Partners with the Senior Administrative Director and Medical Director to shape and implement the SCTCT strategic plan, aligning clinical operations, quality, and education initiatives to advance excellence in transplant and cellular therapy care. As the UTHSA administrative leader for SCTCT services, the CPD promotes optimization of patient care across these departments, providing consistent, outstanding, evidence-based care to SCTCT patients.
Responsibilities- Provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all clinical functions of the Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy (SCTCT) Program, including inpatient, outpatient, apheresis, and SCTCT coordination, ensuring excellence in patient care, safety, and compliance.
- Directly leads and manages programmatic staff including the Cellular Therapy Clinical Program Manager, Quality Manager, Clinical Nurse Managers, RN Transplant Coordinators, Data and Registry Analysts, and other assigned team members.
- Provides dotted-line administrative leadership and collaboration with roles and services across the SCTCT continuum, including pharmacy, outpatient infusion, apheresis, stem cell laboratory, case management, social work, and financial counseling.
- Establishes and maintains clinical policies, procedures, and workflows that meet or exceed the standards set forth by the Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT), FDA, Joint Commission, and institutional requirements.
- Partners with the SCTCT Quality Manager, Medical Director, and institutional quality leaders to design, monitor, and evaluate quality metrics, conduct audits, and lead continuous improvement initiatives aligned with the SCTCT Quality Management Plan.
- Leads efforts in onboarding and management of commercial cellular therapy products (CAR-T, BiTEs, TILs, etc.), ensuring staff credentialing, REMS compliance, and clinical readiness in accordance with manufacturer and regulatory standards.
- Oversees SCTCT programmatic meetings, ensures effective communication and documentation of decisions, and facilitates collaboration with Mays Cancer Center leadership, research, pharmacy, and inpatient units to optimize care coordination.
- Monitors the SCTCT annual operating and capital budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility, variance analysis, and alignment with strategic growth objectives.
- Directs workforce planning, recruitment, and professional development of program staff; fosters a culture of learning, accountability, and patient- and family-centered care.
- Benchmarks clinical outcomes and operational performance against peer institutions to identify opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and program growth.
- Oversees the development and execution of SCTCT education and competency programs for nurses, advanced practice providers, and other clinical team members.
- Leads preparation for accreditation, inspection, and certification activities (FACT, FDA, Joint Commission, and other regulatory agencies) to ensure sustained compliance and program readiness.
- Collaborates with research leadership to integrate clinical and research operations, support clinical trial participation, and advance access to innovative therapies.
- Serves as a key liaison and representative of the SCTCT program within UT Health San Antonio and to external partners, including regulatory bodies, professional organizations, and referring physicians.
- Drives a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement to enhance patient outcomes, operational performance, and organizational growth.
- Performs other duties as assigned related to the benefit of the orgnaization.
Qualifications- RN Registered Nurse State Licensure required.
- Master's degree required.
- Extensive knowledge of FACT standards, clinical operations, and regulatory compliance related to stem cell transplant, cellular therapy, and research.
- Broad knowledge of modern healthcare administration practices and principles within a managed care environment and/or an academic medical center.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to negotiate, resolve conflicts, and build cohesive interdisciplinary teams.
- Demonstrated creativity, flexibility, and innovation in developing solutions and leading change.
- Ability to operate effectively in high-pressure, fast-paced clinical environments.
- Proven ability to lead complex clinical programs, motivate high-performing teams, and drive organizational results.
- Strong organizational, planning, and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Demonstrated effective managerial and administrative leadership of clinical operations and service delivery.
- Effective analytical ability to develop and evaluate options, recommend strategic solutions, and solve complex problems.
- Experience in financial oversight, including operating and capital budgets, and programmatic presentations to senior leadership.
- Knowledge of negotiation principles and techniques related to service contracts, equipment purchasing, and vendor management.
- Commitment to patient- and family-centered care, safety, and quality improvement.
- Ability to work collaboratively across UT Health San Antonio entities and disciplines, fostering a culture of shared accountability.
- Ability to implement change in a positive, sensitive, and forward-thinking manner.
- Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning, self-assessment, and professional growth.
- ** Additional Qualifications: *Current Texas Board of Nursing (or Compact State) RN license; Or a Temporary Texas RN License (Permanent TX license within 90 days upon hire).
