Nurse Coordinator, Heart Failure - Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute Full-time Days

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare•Chicago, IL

About The Position

The Nurse Coordinator, Heart Failure (HF) reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Memorial, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. Heart failure is a major public health problem resulting in substantial morbidity and mortality. Heart failure patients experience a high incidence of hospitalizations, longer than expected lengths of stay and high readmission rates. This results is a patient experience that is not ideal (patient satisfaction and outcomes). The BCVI is working to improve care delivery for heart failure patients, reduce utilization of resources and associated costs and improve outcomes (reduce length of stay and readmission rates). The Nurse Coordinator, Heart Failure (HF) will ensure consistent, evidenced-based care is delivered consistently to heart failure patients. Support in managing the patient’s care from admission to discharge by coordinating with physicians and nursing staff, social work, dietary, and managed care. Under the supervision of the BCVI Operations Manager and/or staff physician provides professional nursing care to Heart Failure patients. This includes: Assesses variety of patients needs including education and discharge planning; works with other caregivers to ensure needs met, including coordinating follow-up appointment Functions as conduit between inpatient and outpatient setting; providing follow up discharge phone call when appropriate and participating in transition from inpatient to outpatient as necessary Establishes and maintains a courteous and professional support with patients, family members, visitors, co-workers, and referring physicians Excellent interpersonal and communication skills required for patient education Demonstrates the ability to work in critical situations: emergencies and when patients/families are in crises Knowledge of heart failure management, cardiology procedures and cardiac surgeries Possesses computer skills in order to prepare spreadsheets and enter data Assuring that the documentation of care and the patient’s follow-up information is available in the medical record. May include seeing patients within the clinic post-procedure and working with patients during long-term follow-up. Managing the patient’s care is coordinated with the physicians and is done in collaboration with social work, dietary, managed care and insurance verification.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in nursing or other related field
2-5 year of work in healthcare
The individual shall be qualified by training; experience, interest, demonstrated current ability, and shall be willing and able to discharge the duties of his/her office
The individual shall possess, interpersonal, and time-management skills, organizational skills and a working knowledge of trends in cardiovascular disease
Registered nurse in the state of Illinois

Nice To Haves

Specialty certification in the clinical area of focus
3 or more years of heart failure experience

Responsibilities

Directly interacts with the multi-disciplinary care team to enhance patient care for the heart failure population.
Monitor current heart failure care processes (both inpatient and outpatient), identify areas in need of improvement or inconsistencies, communicate to identified key leadership and/or key departments and implement corrective action plans to resolve unfavorable outcomes.
Monitor and/or collect heart failure related outcomes data and communicate results to the Outcomes Program and key leadership which will allow us to enhance our clinical care through our knowledge gained through quality-enhancement and outcomes data.
Monitor/follow all heart failure inpatients
Daily assessment that appropriate care plans/protocols are being followed; document findings
Daily assessment that appropriate education is being provided, when necessary; document findings
Participate in multidisciplinary heart failure team meetings and rounds
Work with staff nurses and pharmacists to assure patient and family education
Support nursing staff in preparing patients for discharge and follow-up
Perform chart audits to determine compliance with heart failure protocols and nursing education
Conduct informal surveys with patients and nursing staff regarding effectiveness of heart failure educational materials
Act as the resource person regarding heart failure care processes and protocols and educational resources for all physicians and staff nurses
Lead interdisciplinary clinical groups to define, measure, and analyze heart failure related practice concerns
Lead improvement activities utilizing DMAIC, Lean and other performance improvement tools, as warranted
Maintain abreast of hospital wide efforts related to heart failure, length of stay and readmission
Foster a positive environment through open, respectful communication patterns
Coordinates and develops educational programs and tools for patients, families and other health care personnel.
Evaluates learning needs and abilities of patients and families, and adapts education to meet those needs
Documents education and participates in the development of the educational plan
Assists in preparation of department-specific education for patients and/or colleagues
Collaborates with research investigators and nurses as warranted
Assist as indicated in clinical trials.
Identify appropriate candidates for enrollment in clinical research.
Ensure compliance with research protocols through obtaining consent, blood work orders and results, recognizing adverse side effects and documentation on flow sheet and medical records.
Acts as mentor to new staff.
Assist in discharge planning with case management (D/C planning and SW)
Staff RN; includes patient/family tracking, home health, discharge meds and RTO appointments.
Provide formal and informal teaching to nurses, patients, and other staff on an ongoing basis.
Serve as a resource to patients, families and staff.
Assist staff to facilitate patient care as needed.
Participate in new staff orientation as needed
Meet with patients in the clinic as warranted to reinforce education and ensure a seamless transition from inpatient to outpatient setting.