What are the responsibilities and job description for the Pre-Transplant (Heart) Coordinator - Registered Nurse - Fulltime - Days - Detroit Main - W. Grand Blvd. position at Henry Ford Health - Careers?
2 years Cardiac RN experience required in Cardiovascular ICU or Stepdown, advanced heart failure, or transplant is preferred. Strong organizational, communication, and critical thinking skills. Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. Proficient in Word and Excel.
GENERAL SUMMARY
Responsible for providing care to patients who receive Heart transplant as an advanced surgical treatment for heart failure. They facilitate the process of heart transplant from patient identification and evaluation through implantation and post-implantation follow up. They also facilitate the listing of potential transplant recipients and coordinating the process when a heart is accepted.
This role manages the transplant process from patient identification and evaluation through approval and listing for transplant. The coordinator facilitates the evaluation process and guides the patient through the required testing. This position requires strong critical thinking skills and the ability to collaborate closely with physicians and the multidisciplinary care team including psychology, social work, financial, nutrition and other services as needed. Additional responsibilities may include participation in quality improvement initiatives, data collection, and education of patients.
Responsibilities
- Evaluates potential Heart transplant patients using predetermined criteria, schedules testing, compiles information and presents at multidisciplinary weekly team meetings.
- Educates Heart transplant candidates and their caregivers of risks, complications, benefits, life-style changes, operation, maintenance, and ongoing care.
- Coordinates post-operative preparation and education for discharge and follow-up needs.
- Coordinates long-term management and follow-up care for outpatients post heart transplant.
- Collaborates with Primary Care Physicians and Advanced Practitioners to implement clinical interventions for all heart transplant patients throughout their care continuum.
- Participates in the development and maintenance of current education materials and provides ongoing education sessions to maintain staff competencies.
- Participates in the gathering and entering of data for UNOS, as required by Joint Commission and CMS.
- Participates in program quality improvement monitoring, initiatives, and projects.
- Works closely with financial coordinators and insurance company case managers to provide heart transplant information to assist in obtaining procedural coverage approval.
- After-hours/weekend on call for outpatient/inpatient emergencies for heart transplant patients
- May supervise and evaluate department support staff.
- After-hours/weekend on call for management of the heart waitlist
- After-hours/weekend on call for coordinating of the heart transplant procedure
Knowledge / Skills / Abilities
Demonstrated potential ability to perform the essential functions as outlined above.
Ability to provide care to the population served as described in the department's policies, procedures and guidelines.
Demonstrated human relation, effective communication and critical conversation expertise.
Demonstrated ability to function calmly and competently in high-stress situations.
- On-Call Responsibilities: Skills and desire to adapt to urgent situations and complete job duties even if they fall outside normal business hours.
Required
- Three years nursing experience within acute care setting in cardiovascular nursing, cardiac surgical nursing, critical care nursing, cardiac transplantation, and/or care of patients with heart failure
- Basic computer skills and ability to chart in electronic medical record.
Licenses Required
- Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Michigan, or obtain one within 90 days of hire under the interstate compact if switching residency to State of Michigan.
* Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.
Preferred
- Bachelor's degree in nursing.
- Previous experience with advanced heart failure, cardiac surgery, heart transplant and/or MCS/VAD
Working Conditions and Physical Demands
Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.
- This position involves light work that may exert up to 20 pounds and may consistently require light work involving lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling or otherwise moving objects involving patient care or medical equipment.