Ventricular Asst Device Coordinator - Day/Evening/Night

Full Time (80 Hours Biweekly)

Day/Evening/Night

Job Description:

Under the general direction of, and in collaboration with the Mechanical Circulatory Support Program Coordinator and, physicians, coordinates inpatient and outpatient care for patients with a ventricular assist device (VAD), including, but not limited to, patient education, staff education, community education, surgical coordination, clinic visits and record keeping.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Accountabilities:

1. Completes clinical evaluation of potential candidates for VAD intervention: Coordinates transplant evaluation for patients who would receive a device as a bridge to heart transplant; Collaborates with medical team about alternatives based on the results of the transplant evaluation.
2. Provides preoperative patient and family education for device candidates: Develops and utilizes patient educational guidelines for each device; Reviews and updates guidelines annually and/or as needed; Documents education provided and communicates with nursing staff about additional teaching required.
3. Collaborates with Patient Financial representatives about insurance coverage for the device prior to surgery. Informs physicians of coverage decisions by insurance providers. Coordinates insurance appeal, if necessary.
4. May assist in pump preparation and start up activities in operating room as needed by surgical team.
5. Provides post-operative education to the patient and family in collaboration with nursing staff in preparation for discharge from the hospital.
6. Provides support and education to surrounding staff and other health professionals regarding the device, its implications for the patient and how to troubleshoot alarms and alerts. Assists with trouble shooting onsite, as needed.
7. Verifies patient knowledge base regarding the equipment used for mechanical support prior to discharge from hospital.
8. Serves as resource person to patients after discharge for clinical and technical support.
9. Provides support and education to community health care professionals who will have contact with the patient.
10. Interviews and treats patients during clinic appointments within scope of practice.
11. Coordinates readmissions for patients having difficulties that require inpatient management.
12. Moderates regularly scheduled clinical review meetings of implanted patients and/or prospective patients.

NonEssential Accountabilities:

1. Attends meetings as required. Participates on committees within the System and/or the community as requested.
2. Actively participates in local and national meetings to exchange knowledge and information in the area of cardiac surgery including cardiac assist device
3. Assists with maintenance of adequate supplies for patients on device and for potential implants
4. Performs other related duties as identified.

Common Expectations:

1. Establish effective working relationships with referring physicians, administrators, nursing, and technical staff.
2. Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in-service meetings, and workshops.
3. 15Demonstrates a commitment to the patient, visitors, and staff by: complying with all applicable safety regulations; learning the impact of medical errors and methodology that will lead to reduction of errors; reporting actual and potential errors, as well as hazardous conditions; identifying opportunities to standardize processes and “error proof” systems that will lead to increased safety; and participating in safety education programs and root cause analyses as required.
4. 16Maintains established policies and procedures, objectives, quality assessment, safety, environmental and infection control standards.
5. Provides reports to medical teams and others as requested. 18Acts as a resource, educator, and consultant to staff. Provides patient and family education, support and follow up as needed.
6. Provides on call coverage.
7. 20Provides outstanding service to all customers; fosters teamwork; and practices fiscal responsibility through improvement and innovation.

Qualifications

• Notes:
  • Other combinations of formal education, training and experience may be considered.
• Minimum Experience:
  • 3 years of experience in cardiovascular nursing, cardiac surgical nursing, critical care nursing, Cardiac transplantation, and/or care of the patient with ventricular assist devices
• Minimum Education:
  • Bachelor's Degree
• Required Certification:
  • Registration and current license as RN in PA; ACLS certification
• Physical Demands:
  • Occasional prolonged standing/walking
  • Occasionally lifts, positions, pushes and/or transfers patients