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The Nurse Coordinator, Heart Failure reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, 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.

Responsibilities:

• Directly interacts with the multi-disciplinary care team to enhance patient care for the heart failure population.
• This individual would 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.
• The corrective action plan would be multi-dimensional as the heart failure patient pathway touches multiple processes: ED, Medicine (teaching and hospitalist), and Cardiology.
• This individual will 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.
• Adhoc projects as warranted.
• Technical Excellence/Quality Care:
  • 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.
• Inpatient:
  • 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.
• Outpatient:
  • Meet with patients in the clinic as warranted to reinforce education and ensure a seamless transition from inpatient to outpatient setting.
• Additional Functions:
  • Hours to be determined at time of hire.
• Professional Development:
  • Assume responsibility for own continuing education.
  • Contribute to nursing and hospital committees as heart failure designate by attending and actively participating on committees or meetings organizations.

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in nursing or other related field.
• 2-5 years 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.

Preferred:

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

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.