Pediatric Heart Failure/Heart Transplant Coordinator

Major Responsibilities:
In collaboration with the transplant surgeons and cardiologist, plans, assesses and implements the pre-transplant patient evaluation, peri, and post transplant care as it relates to heart transplant patients.
1)Participates in the initial evaluation and education session of patients and their families considering heart transplantation and ventricular assist device (VAD) therapy .

2)Develops a nursing care plan for pre and post heart transplant recipients which includes patient and family education, and psychosocial needs.

3)Under the established medical protocol, initiates the medical evaluation of the potential recipient and post transplant patient, which includes: coordination of diagnostic testing per pre and post transplant guidelines, arrange tissue typing and other immunologic tests, referrals to physician and specialists, obtain and review patient medical records.

4)Assesses the pre-transplant and post transplant evaluation results, and communicates to transplant surgeons and cardiologist.

5)In collaboration with Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs), organizes, prepares and presents pre and post transplant patients to the Heart Transplant Selection Committee and the Bridge to Transplant (BTT) patients to the VAD Selection Committee.

6)Provides continuing education and psychosocial support to the patient and families during the pre and post transplant process.

7)Identifies patients who have completed their evaluation process in preparation for placement on the local and national waiting lists.

8)Serves as a resource and liaison between the financial coordinator, insurers, healthcare providers and transplant patients.

9)Provides outpatient support to physicians and APN’s. In collaboration with physicians and APNs, provides support with patient encouters/visits in the outpatient clinic, reviews and provides follow-up on diagnostic testing, laboratory results, and communication with consultants and the trasnplant team. Laboratory results include, but not limited to immunosuppression levels, coumadin management, specialized immune assays, specialty labs, general and organ specific testing for the pre and post VAD and heart trasnplant patietnts.

10)In collaboration with physicinas and APNs, schedules procedures or testing, and provides follow-up communication to the patient on the above testing.

On-Call Responsibilities
1)Participates equally in accepting emergency calls from pre- and post-heart transplant patients.

2)Coordinates the communication and facilitation of the transplant case: procurement teams, surgical teams, multi-displinary team notification, and calling in the potential transplant recipient. Remains present to assist in patient surgical preparation; and surgical and procurement team communication throughout transplant case.

3)Triages patient and physician calls for pre- and post-transplant patients

4)Maintains working cell phone and pager.

5)Coordinates and assists with any research supportive measures during the transplant process. This includes communication of packaging and return of ventricular assist devices to the manufacturer; and collection, freezing, and storage of myocardium, other tissues or blood samples.

Administrative Responsibilities
1)Upon transplant team approval, works collaboratively to place patients on the internal ready list, and the local and national waiting lists.

2)Works collaboratively with other APNs, nurses and data coordinator to maintain/update internal cadaver ready lists.

3)Maintains communication with the patient regarding patient’s medical, insurance and psychosocial status.

4)Assists local organ procurement organization and ACMC Lab with obtaining monthly serum samples for patients on the cadaver waiting list.

5)Notifies the transplant surgeon and cardiologist of cadaveric donors’ medical acceptability based on patient and cadaveric donor evaluation.

6)Serves as a resource person for other members of the multi-disciplinary health care team (e.g., pharmacist, social worker, and lab personnel). Develops and maintains professional relationships with the Advocate System and other area CHF clinics.

7)Assists transplant surgeon and cardiologists in maintaining communication with the patient’s referring cardiologist during the pre transplant evaluation phase and post-transplant.

8)Does necessary data entry of all pre transplant patients’ work-up, labs, and other test results in the transplant database in preparation for placing patients on the national waiting list.

9)Responsible for data entry into OTTR, UNET for pre and post transplant TEIDI forms, waitlist management (UNOS Status) and Donor Net.

10)Collaborates with APNs, data coordinators, nurses, and administration in remaining complaint with the required transplant and VAD regulations of CMS, Accrediting Organization, UNOS, and other regulatory bodies. Participates in regulatory administrative audits and remains up to date on CMS, Accrediting Organization, and UNOS regulations.

Serves as a consultant and/or resource person for hospital personnel in area of specialization. Accepts referrals from all units of the hospital and collaborates with physicians, nurses and other members of the interdisciplinary team in planning the care of patients needing specialized transplant nursing. Initiates referral to other healthcare providers and resource agencies as necessary.
1)Provides formal and informal education to the outside health care personnel and community groups.

2)Identifies learning needs of patients and families and implements teaching plan as appropriate as it relates to patients.

3)Contributes to the development of patient education/marketing materials.

4)Coordinates and attends regular multidisciplinary transplant team meetings.

5)Works on special projects as assigned.

6)Acts as mentor/clinical preceptor for nursing students.

Professional Development
1)Maintains the standards and educational requirements specific to the position through continuing education.

2)Serves as representative in external committee and organizations such as the International Transplant Nurses Society (ITNS), North American Transplant Coordinators Organization (NATCO), and International Society of Heart & Lung Transplant (ISHLT).

3)Continuously updates knowledge of current developments in patient care management, health care legislation and hospital/community resources.

Licensure:
Nurse, Registered (RN)

Education/Experience Required:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing or equivalent. • 5+ years intensive care and/or cardiac telemetry experience which includes 2 years transplant experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:
• Strong analytical skills • Proven leadership skills • Good organizational skills • Good educator • Basic computer knowledge • Effective communication and presentation skills. • Effective time management skills • Attention to detail
• Current RN license in the State of Illinois • CPR certification

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
• Ability to recognize the needs and behaviors of a variety of age groups of patients treated • Ability to educate patients on age specific levels. • Ability to work flexible hours according to patient care needs and donor call. • Ability to effectively multi-task and problem solve • Ability to prioritize independently. • Ability to work effectively as a team member and to promote positive working relationships and teamwork skills. • Ability to communicate with patients/families • Ability to work within stressful conditions and difficult situations. • Close attention to details involving numerous patients often in periods where timeliness is critical.
If position has direct patient care or direct patient contact the following lifting requirement supersedes any previous lifting requirement effective 06/01/2015. Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available. Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Addendum: Accountability: Provides direct patient care for the heart transplant, Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) and heart failure patients with a high degree of skill and knowledge under their direct role. Education requirements: The following educational requirements associated with this role: Continuing education with an emphasis or focused on advanced heart failure therapies is to be completed every 6 months.
This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.