Transplant Psychologist

The Solid Organ Transplant Department at Banner University Medical Center is seeking a dedicated Transplant Psychologist to join our integrated team and provide comprehensive care to patients undergoing organ transplantation.

Receiving an organ transplant is a life-changing and positive experience, often accompanied by complex emotions for both patients and their loved ones. If you have a passion for supporting individuals through such transformative moments, we invite you to consider this meaningful opportunity.

Position Overview

In collaboration with the Abdominal Transplant Team, the Transplant Psychologist plays a critical role in supporting patients through all phases of the transplant process: pre-evaluation, post-operative care, and long-term psychological support. This position involves working with transplant candidates (liver, kidney, pancreas) including living organ donation.

Primary Responsibilities:

· Pre-Surgical Evaluations:

Conduct psychological assessments for transplant candidates and living donor patients to determine readiness and identify any potential risks or barriers

· Clinical Consultation:

Provide both inpatient and outpatient psychological consultations to patients undergoing evaluation or treatment for transplant

· Therapeutic Support:

Offer individual and family therapy to assist with understanding illness and procedures, emotional adjustment to chronic disease, quality of life concerns, and adherence to medical regimens.

· Post-Surgical Follow-Up:

Deliver ongoing psychological care to patients experiencing emotional or behavioral health challenges following transplant

· Team Collaboration:

Partner with multidisciplinary transplant teams to enhance care coordination, optimize patient outcomes, and support family involvement.

Key Duties and Areas of Focus:

• Screen for substance use disorders and facilitate treatment as needed both pre and post-transplant
• Screen for psychiatric conditions and ensure timely access to care both pre and post-transplant
• Evaluate health literacy and identify cognitive impairments that may impact treatment
• Assess family and social support systems and connect patients with resources
• Evaluate transplant candidacy for liver, kidney and also pancreas transplants with a focus on psychosocial readiness and capacity for adherence
• Provide brief, evidence-based treatments that align with interdisciplinary care goals
• Address and manage psychopathology and substance use risks
• Assess patient motivation, barriers to adherence, and stage of behavioral change
• Collaborate with social workers to develop comprehensive mental health care plans
• Offer expert input to the transplant team regarding risk for recidivism or non-adherence to complex medical regimens

Qualification Requirements:

• Ph.D. or PsyD Psychology
• APA-accredited clinical internship
• Licensure or eligible for licensure as a Psychologist in Arizona
• Experienced candidates preferred; however new graduate psychologists welcome to apply
• Neuropsychology experience valued but not required

Practice Information:

• Schedule: Full-time, Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
• No call required
• Team: Collaborative practice with abdominal transplant surgeons, transplant nephrologists, transplant hepatologists, APP, Social Worker, RN Transplant Coordinator and support staff
• Practice Setting: Primarily outpatient at Banner University Medical Center North Campus with inpatient consultation at Banner University Medical Center – Tucson (BUMC-T)

Ideal Candidate Profile:

We are seeking a flexible and collaborative team player with a passion for assisting patients through life-changing events. The ideal candidate can work effectively in an integrated, multidisciplinary environment and has empathy for patients and families experiencing varied emotions during the transplant process.

Banner Benefits:

You take care of others. Let us take care of you. At Banner, your benefits package is all about your well-being. But that’s more than just basic medical, dental and vision coverage — it’s everything that makes you uniquely you, from your emotional health to your family to your satisfaction , we design your benefits with you in mind. We listen to what you have to say,…