RN Coordinator VAD - Mech Circulatory Progmram - Full Time 8 Hour Days (Non-Exempt) (Non-Union)

University of Southern California•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

The VAD Transplant Coordinator provides nursing care to ventricular assist device (VAD) and cardiothoracic transplant patients and serves as the central contact for patients and families managed with, or being considered for, VAD and cardiothoracic transplantation. The coordinator provides inpatient and outpatient care, education, community resources, and off-hours support for patient calls, questions, and troubleshooting. The role includes rounds, research protocol visits, assistance with implants, clinic responsibilities, and collaboration with physicians and the transplant team. The coordinator educates community partners, including local emergency departments and EMS squads, and maintains current knowledge of VAD-related issues and advancements. The position independently coordinates VAD and transplant evaluations, listing, and patient care; manages transplant waitlists and outpatient care; supports preoperative preparation and admissions; and coordinates VAD vendors and equipment suppliers. It also maintains policies, procedures, order sets, documentation tools, and staff competencies, and supports quality and performance improvement activities, including INTERMACS data reporting. The role may require on-call shifts at night, on weekends, and on holidays, as operationally required. Keck Hospital of USC is a 343-bed acute care hospital providing specialized care for complex medical and surgical conditions. It is an academic medical center where clinical trials take place at the hospital and affiliated research institutions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN).
One year of critical or intensive care nursing experience.
Clinical experience caring for patients with ventricular assist devices (VADs).
Proficient verbal and written communication skills.
Proficiency in MS Office and applicable computer applications.
Registered Nurse (RN) license from the California Board of Registered Nursing.
Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider certification from the American Heart Association.
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Healthcare Provider certification from the American Heart Association.
Fire Life Safety Training (LA City); if not held at hire, it must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained through renewal, as required within LA City.
USC Research Certification must be completed within 90 days of hire.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in nursing (MSN).
Administrative Coordinator experience.
Specialty certification.

Responsibilities

Provide nursing care and education to VAD and cardiothoracic transplant patients and their families in inpatient and outpatient settings.
Serve as a central point of contact for patients and families, including providing off-hours phone support and troubleshooting.
Educate patients, families, nursing and medical staff, and community organizations about VAD and transplant care and processes.
Independently facilitate evaluation and listing processes for potential transplant and VAD candidates.
Collaborate with staff to formulate and implement nursing plans of care, and coordinate allied health services involved in VAD patient care.
Maintain communication with referring physicians and insurance case managers and provide them with necessary information and records.
Assess individual patient needs and plan and implement appropriate care interventions.
Develop and revise program policies, procedures, physician orders, documentation tools, and care-provider competency documentation.
Coordinate daily clinical program activities and manage time effectively.
Develop and implement practice guidelines, performance-improvement indicators, and hospital policies and procedures.
Educate and support professional staff, including providing routine VAD care training and documenting competencies.
Type and proof documents and reports; create spreadsheets, tables, presentations, and databases; and maintain computer records and files.
Encourage feedback from patients, families, and care providers about VAD program initiatives.
Maintain relationships with community referral organizations, EMS, and other community organizations; help patients access appropriate community services.
Lead day-to-day process and performance-improvement activities, collect and analyze data, recommend measures, implement action plans, and report as required.
Work with research staff to ensure timely and accurate data submission to the INTERMACS database.
Provide VAD education to patients and families before discharge in collaboration with unit case managers.
Attend multidisciplinary rounds for VAD inpatients and post-VAD and transplant clinics.
Represent VAD services on assigned committees.
Coordinate outpatient VAD clinic visits and diagnostic testing; monitor patient and family adherence, test results, and other relevant data; identify care problems and intervene as appropriate.
Maintain applicable waiting lists, communicate patient status to team members, and coordinate candidate admissions and preoperative preparation.
Coordinate VAD vendors and equipment suppliers and ensure compliance with equipment regulations, supplies, and equipment purchases or leases; work with administration on these matters.
Perform other related duties as assigned.