Lung Transplant Coordinator - UI Heart and Vascular Center

University of Iowa•Iowa City, IA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

UI Heart and Vascular Center is seeking an 100%25 Transplant Coordinator to support our Adult Lung Transplant Team. Our transplant coordinators play a crucial role in the comprehensive care and support of patients undergoing lung transplantation. This position involves collaborating closely with transplant pulmonologists, surgeons, and interdisciplinary teams to ensure the seamless coordination of care from pre-transplant evaluation through post-transplant recovery. The Lung Transplant Nurse provides holistic patient care, including assessment, education, and advocacy, while also serving as a liaison between patients, their families, and the transplant team. This role requires expertise in pulmonary nursing, transplantation protocols, and the management of complex medical conditions. By delivering compassionate care and fostering a supportive environment, the Lung Transplant Nurse contributes to the success of the University of Iowa's lung transplantation program and positively impacts the lives of patients and their loved ones.

Requirements

Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing is required.
Minimum 6 months providing direct nursing care or management/supervision of -internal medicine /surgical patients OR Minimum 1 year providing direct nursing care/ care coordination within an outpatient setting required.
Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
Experience and skills with electronic health record is required.
Current certification in BLS required by start date.
Current license to practice nursing in the State of Iowa required by start date.

Nice To Haves

3 years providing direct nursing care or management/supervision of internal medicine surgical patient population.
Previous nursing experience managing internal medicine/respiratory patient population in an outpatient/ambulatory setting.
Strong organization and time management skills and documented excellent interpersonal skills with patients, families and health care team.
Current job-related professional certification.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with nursing, medical staff and other health professionals in the development and review of standards and in planning, implementing and evaluating patient care for the patient population with regard to the condition and age of the patient. Provide direct nursing care when necessary. Follow universal precautions.
Oversee patient flow through the UI Health Care continuum of care on both the inpatient and outpatient setting.
Serve as active and regular participant in inpatient rounding with the multi-disciplinary care team.
Independently coordinate and facilitate patient care between multiple disciplines within both the confines of UI Health Care and the community (including home health agencies, referring physicians and other community support services). Facilitate continuity of care.
Coordinate patient care to better utilize supportive services through patient visit; pre-schedule testing; follow- up with test results to both patient and physician; obtain medical history; coordinate follow-up appointments; provide medication and disease process; and teaching, etc. Participate in ongoing management of the patient to facilitate care of patient in timely manner.
Facilitate care of patient(s) requiring admission, coordinating necessary admission procedures, pre and post procedure care.
Completes necessary documentation according to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network guidelines including listing, status changes and post-transplant/donation follow-up information.
Provides the Financial Counselors the documentation needed for prior authorization for transplantation.
Operate autonomously in communicating with members of the health care team directing patient care and providing continuity of care across settings throughout the phases of care.
Autonomously communicate with referring physician and health care facilities in a timely manner.
Perform telephone triage of patient calls and facilitates medication refills as needed.
Provide cross-coverage to other HVC Nurse Clinicians PRN.
Perform on-call, clinical duties, special projects and other tasks as needed.
Provide leadership for direct patient care programs collaborating with health care professionals.
Participate in decision-making process at unit/division/department level of issues that impact clinical practice.
Participate in/provides leadership for divisional, departmental and/or intra institutional and community committees and projects.
Provide input into financial management activities including operational budgetary decisions and cost containment.
Participate in the ongoing implementation of current regulatory standards required to meet state and national agency accreditation.
Design and implement patient/family health education activities for patients recognizing individualized need.
Provide patient education in the HVC that includes: Assessing learning needs of patients and family’s post-op procedures and provides appropriate education related to diagnosis, procedure performed, risk factor modification, and treatment regimens.
Facilitating learning and provides consultation to those in external agencies, communities and to other health care professionals.
Supporting implementation and evaluation of staff education and orientation programs, coordinating and presenting.
Facilitating the educational experience for health care students and monitors the care delivered.
Present patients at care conferences, communicate with all stakeholders (patients, referring providers, consulting services, etc.) pend orders following protocols and guidelines, review diagnostic testing results and communicate as appropriate with attending physicians.
Assist with the designated quality database, including compiling and entering quality data.
Participate in the development and implementation of division/unit quality assessment and improvement program using appropriate risk and quality management data.
Use relevant nursing research to improve clinical practice and investigate nursing care problems related to a specific patient population.
Interact with staff, patients, medical staff, peers, and others in a professional and cooperative manner.
Assume responsibility for maintaining clinical expertise consistent with patient population requirements and current nursing and medical practice.
Adhere to professional and legal standards of nursing practice.
Maintain confidentiality of patient and staff information.
Support a work environment that fosters teamwork and is conducive to the recruitment and retention of staff.
Demonstrate the core values of service leadership: respect, communication, accountability, integrity, and compassion.
Remain calm and constructive in conflict situations, listen and attempt to understand other points of view.
Analyze own performance in accordance with position expectations, develops goals and implements a plan to meet goals.
Follow general policies and procedures in accordance with the regulations of the University of Iowa, UI Health Care, the HVC, and the Department of Nursing.
After six months, provides on-call coverage, including coordination of activities prior to transplant, and as medical triage for outpatients in collaboration with the physician on-call. Coordinates transplantation process when a donor is available, including communication between physicians, local organ procurement organization, patient/families and the medical team involved.
Educates other nurses, such as inpatient nurse and other multidisciplinary team members about patient care issues to promote positive outcomes for transplant patients. Observes for patterns of variation from the plan of care and facilitates corrective actions as part of the quality process.