RN, Heart Transplant/VAD Coordinator

JOB SUMMARY: 

Assists in the planning, implementation and coordination of the Advanced Cardiac Care and Transplant/Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Program. Coordinates and assists with the evaluation, hospitalization, and follow-up phases of heart transplant and VAD patients. Educates patients and families regarding all aspects of transplantation and VAD implantation. Functions as a patient advocate and point of continuity throughout all aspects of pre and post-surgical care. Communicates with nursing and medical staff regarding the plan of care. Provides staff educational offerings as needed and requested. Communicates with referring physicians, HMOs and insurance providers regarding plan of care and patient progress. Maintains contact with the organ procurement organization (OPO) and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) concerning data and status of transplant candidates. Maintains transplant and VAD related databases. Participates in program development to promote the interests of the transplant and VAD program and institution. 

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: 

• BSN required. 
• Five years' experience in cardiology and/or cardiothoracic surgery required. 

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, and/or REGISTRATION: 

• Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse  
• CCT or CPTC preferred. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• 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. 

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills 
• Excellent organization and administrative skills 
• Proficiency in use of personal computer, spreadsheet, and word processing programs 
• May serve in a Primary VAD Coordinator role with documentation of advanced VAD training, experience, and designation by the Medical and Administrative Directors 

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist is a pre-eminent academic health system based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist is part of Advocate Health, which is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is the fifth-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, created from the combination of Atrium Health and Advocate Aurora Health. Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist’s two main components are an integrated clinical system – anchored by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, an 885-bed tertiary-care hospital in Winston-Salem –