Clinical Coordinator Cystic Fibrosis / Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia

Connecticut Children's Medical Center•Hartford, CT

17d

About The Position

The Cystic Fibrosis Clinical Coordinator is responsible for various clinical, administrative, educational and research duties in support of the disorders of the mucociliary clearance program. Works with the center director and research assistant to review proposed clinical research programs and coordinate the administration of existing programs. Assists in the development of clinical research projects and the databases necessary to implement these projects. Coordinates education and research endeavors within the pulmonary program. Assists in specialized care for all patients and families. Participates in Quality Improvement activities as well as the patient and family advisory board. Develop and maintain a presence through participation on committees and by attending national/international meetings.

Requirements

Education: Graduate of an Accredited Registered Nurse Program
If licensed with an ADN must achieve a BSN within 3 years
Successful completion of a 2-year Respiratory Therapy program approved by the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association.
Experience: Minimum 2 years pediatric nursing experience.
Current State of Connecticut Registered Nurse licensure required and maintained thereafter
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) / CPR in adult, child & infant required and maintained
R.R.T. registered by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Licensure by the State of Connecticut.
C.R.T. will be considered with the expectation of obtaining the R.R.T within one year.
Knowledge: Self-directed, autonomous, able to perform tasks with minimal oversight.
Working with clinical providers as a part of the multidisciplinary team.
Skills: Excellent written and verbal skills, time management and organizational skills.
Computer technology- experience with electronic medical records, familiarity with excel and data entry into program databases.
Patient/family teaching skills.
Competence in providing developmentally appropriate care and services.
Abilities: Ability to work with families of all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Ability to work collegially and collaboratively with all disciplines.
Ability to work within boundaries of professional practice.
Creative and driven to improve patient care.

Nice To Haves

Education: BSN preferred.
Experience: Three years of experience in pulmonary diagnostics desirable or 3 years of experience in respiratory care.
Experience in working in clinical or community setting with children and families preferred.
Knowledge base in disorders of mucociliary clearance and experience treating these patients preferred.
Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) preferred.
Pediatric Life Support (PALS) highly recommended.

Responsibilities

CLINICAL Assist in the inpatient and outpatient medical and psychosocial evaluation of disorders of mucociliary i.e. CF/PCD patients referred to the Pediatric Pulmonary Division.
Assist in the genetic evaluation of patients with unclear diagnoses.
Coordinate family meetings at the time of diagnosis with the disorders of mucociliary clearance care team.
Work with the nursing team to triage phone calls for this patient population in a timely manner.
Discuss current issues with family/patient.
Formulate, implement and monitor a comprehensive plan of patient care in collaboration with the attending physicians for cystic fibrosis patients in the division.
Educate and teach parents and/or patients with regard to their child’s disease care.
Aid family members and/or patients to understand their child’s disease, its treatment, all implications of the disease and treatment.
Set up and order equipment and testing of patients within the disorders of mucociliary clearance program such as, home respiratory equipment, sleep studies, home IV therapy, etc., as needed.
Along with the pulmonary attending physician, meet with the family of pulmonary patients to discuss plans for their child in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Talk with program parents either directly or via telephone and periodically update them on progress and plans.
Oversee aspects of admission and discharge for cystic fibrosis patients, including ordering of equipment, completion of insurance forms and referrals.
With Social Worker complete any program specific forms such as WIC, school medication administration forms, 504 plans etc.
With care team and research assistant as needed, complete any clinical evaluation/medication forms as needed for both prior authorization and drug event incidences.
ADMINISTRATIVE Assist with scheduling inpatient admissions and outpatient evaluations as directed by the Pulmonary attending. Also, coordination of patient appointments as needed
Schedule staff meetings to discuss patient care, to evaluate plans for patients in the program and to educate staff of new procedures and programs.
In cooperation with the other pediatric pulmonary nurses, assure adequate service coverage during illness, vacation or periods of high workload.
Participate in hospital committees as appropriate.
Work with insurance companies to obtain appropriate prescriptions, testing and treatment for patients.
Work with disorders of mucociliary clearance team members, families and patients to investigate, research and initiate quality improvement projects.
Coordinate diagnostic workups and ensure patients have access to all required medications and home care supplies
Coordination of site visits for national organizations (i.e. PCD Foundation, CF Foundation, etc)
EDUCATIONAL Develop and provide in-service educational programs for nursing, medical and other related hospital personnel regarding pulmonary programs and including infection control.
Develop pulmonary teaching materials for patients, parents and medical personnel.
Provide training (in-service and orientation) for other members of the division regarding new procedures and issues in pulmonary care.
Act as a liaison between the attending physicians, nurses, and medical students/residents on inpatients and outpatients.
Instruct nursing and medical personnel in techniques, which will improve assessment skills on pulmonary patients.
Instruct medical and nursing students about the special issues of patients and families who are dealing with a chronic lung disease.
Instruct local pediatricians, office nursing personnel, school and community nurses about the chronic lung disease within this patient population including infection control.
Educate the community on cystic fibrosis management and advocate for necessary resources to enhance patient engagement.
Engage in post-hospitalization follow-ups, providing education and managing symptoms to ensure continuity of care
RESEARCH Assist in the development and conducting of research projects in the division as needed.
Assist in clinical research projects related to this specific patient population.
Assist in coordination of patient recruitment and study conduct between clinical research projects, investigators in the division, sponsors, the IRB and the Clinical Research Center.
Assist in the development of clinical research projects and the databases necessary to implement these projects.
Maintain the disease specific registries and data entry for patient participants including the end of the year report.
Performs other job-related duties as assigned.