Registered Nurse-(RN)- Heart Transplant & VAD Coordinator

Advocate Health and Hospitals Corporation • Wake Forest, NC

7d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a full-time Registered Nurse position in the Heart Transplant & VAD Coordinator role at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. The position is benefits-eligible and requires a Monday-Friday core schedule with participation in a rotating on-call schedule, including weekends and holidays as assigned. The role involves coordinating and participating in the patient evaluation process, educating patients and families, coordinating pre-operative and intra-operative care, supervising hospital care, coordinating outpatient care, participating in program development, planning and implementing staff educational sessions, ensuring quality of professional services, protecting self and others, and providing age-appropriate patient care.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited School of Nursing with a BSN required.
• Five years' experience in cardiology and/or cardiothoracic surgery required.
• Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) in State of North Carolina.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent organization and administrative skills
• Proficiency in use of personal computer, spreadsheet, and word processing programs

Nice To Haves

• CCT or CPTC preferred.
• May serve in a Primary VAD Coordinator role with documentation of advanced VAD training, experience, and designation by the Medical and Administrative Directors.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates and participates in patient evaluation process to ensure necessary data are collected and the information dispersed to the transplant team.
• Communicates with referring physicians and UNOS regarding data and status of each candidate.
• Educates patient and family regarding aspects of transplantation and/or ventricular assist devices, maintaining contact with patients on waiting list and arranging follow-up appointments.
• Coordinates preoperative preparation of the patient and ensures the hospital staff is informed of plan of care.
• Evaluates and documents donor referrals, consults with surgeon and cardiologist.
• Coordinates intra-operative phase of transplantation and/or VAD implantation, arranging transportation for donor heart team and communicating with OR, ICU staff and procurement team regarding organ recovery status.
• Communicates with patient family during the transplant.
• Supervises the hospital care of transplant/VAD patients to ensure orders are followed and to ensure the transplant team is informed of patient status.
• Prepares routine post-op orders and plan of care, communicating with nursing staff daily.
• Maintains clinical data.
• Coordinates outpatient care of the transplant/VAD patients to ensure needs are met.
• Communicates with referring physicians and HMO/insurance case managers regarding patient progress and discharge needs.
• Educates patient and family on post-surgical care, medications and daily routine.
• Arranges for all necessary discharge needs and ensures that patient is discharged with all medications required.
• Participates in program development to promote the interests of the Advanced Cardiac Care and Transplant/VAD Program and institution.
• Compiles data to improve patient care/outcomes, cost containment.
• Assists in marketing strategies for the program.
• Plans and implements staff educational sessions related to transplant/ ventricular assist device issues to keep staff up to date on related information.
• Maintains resource manuals for nursing units and provides in-services as needed.
• Ensures the quality of professional services by updating knowledge and skill, and continuing professional growth.
• Protects self, co-workers and facility by following appropriate policies and procedures to prevent the spread of blood borne and/or airborne disease(s).
• Provides age/developmentally appropriate patient care in accordance with Age-Specific Care guidelines for the specific age groups served.

Benefits

• Comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs
• Competitive compensation
• Generous retirement offerings
• Programs that invest in your career development
• Paid Time Off programs
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior