GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT: Acts to facilitate the care of patients (and their families) who are referred for or managed as outpatients with a Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) under direction of the MCS Medical and Surgical Directors. To this end, the coordinator will be responsible for the initial clinical evaluation of Advanced Heart Failure patients requiring or being considered for a Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) either as destination therapy or bridge to transplantation, and identifies areas requiring further preoperative work-up. Responsible for the management of the outpatient VAD clinic and coordinating outpatient care for the patient amongst multiple providers.
As an integral member of the advanced heart failure team, this individual will facilitate open lines of communication between MCS Inpatient coordinator and MCS research nurse, Cardiac Surgery, Cardiology, Inpatient units, MCS Technicians, Heart transplant team, Outpatient Clinics, Nursing and patients/families. Furthermore, this individual is responsible for educating community public services (such as rehabilitation hospitals, Police, Fire, hospitals and other specialists, and to patient and their families ), about VAD´s and to promote MGH Heart Center and VAD services. Will participate in and be responsible for maintaining and monitoring JCAHO requirements for Disease Specific Certification for VADs including educating and monitoring all relevant participants in the program in collaboration and guidance of the MCS Inpatient Coordinator and others. Works as a member of the Heart Center´s Heart Failure Team and in concert with other Heart Center Coordinators. Will be primarily responsible for the MCS/VAD outpatient including coordinating tests and visits for patients and their families with both surgical and medical providers.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Clinical Practice
Has a sound knowledge of nursing, medical and scientific principles and appropriately applies those principles to practice.
Performs and records the patient history and physical exam and discusses findings with the physician.
Utilizes advanced nursing knowledge to identify, prevent or solve complex and/or recurring patient care problems.
Follows and manages patients (in collaboration with MD) enhancing continuity of care.
Performs (oversees/assures completion of) specialized procedures particular to the select population mutually agreed upon with collaborating physician.
Performs medically delegated aspects of patient care as agreed upon by supervising physician in according to practice guidelines.
Collaborates with unit staff and physicians to facilitate a comprehensive plan of care and coordinate resources.
Writes orders which are in accord with current guidelines.
Orders, interprets and evaluates appropriate lab and diagnostic tests.
Documents plan of care in patient´s medical record and Oncall notes.
Maintains and practices in accord with practitioner guidelines per federal, state and hospital regulations
Maintains patient´s right to privacy; assuring patient dignity in the provision of care.
Maintains clinical expertise in MCS support
Coordinating VAD care:
Teaming with other VAD coordinators, Cardiologist, Cardiac Surgeons, Nursing, Transplant Coordinators, MCS Equipment technicians and providers and support staff while performing VAD coordinating care activity for all patients at MGH who have a VAD or are being evaluated for a VAD.
Serves as the central coordinating person for accepting and triaging outpatient VAD referrals from referring physicians, Outpatient Access Coordinators for the Heart Center or self-referred patients who do not have an existing relationship with an MGH cardiologist or cardiac surgeon.
Coordinates with a multitude of multidiscipline VAD patient teams that can include but not limited to Physicians, Nurses, Social Workers, Pharmacists, Physical Therapist´s, Case managers and VAD equipment technicians to ensure patient is a VAD candidate
Coordinates VAD patient visits back to the hospital for follow-up care in the outpatient setting.
Maintains continuous communication with community agencies regarding ongoing care and support.
Maintains all VAD related information that supports management of the VAD program.
Communicates anticipated patient needs to appropriate physicians, nurses, and admitting departments.
Participates in cell phone and beeper contact for urgent problem solving.
Identifies and resolves service delivery problems and recommends methods to improve and streamline services.
Liaison with VAD vendors
Works in concert with the MGH Cardiac Procedure Services and other VAD coordinators
Communicates on a timely basis the status of all VAD´s
Reports equipment related problems and seeks resolution
VAD Outreach/Education/Promotion
In collaboration with Medical and Surgical Directors and other VAD coordinators, MCS outpatient coordinator is responsible for developing and implementing an outreach initiative for patient´s community public agencies and including referring physician, family, and clinician education.
Provide patient and family VAD education prior to implant and discharge.
Follow-up and continuously communication with inside and outside MGH referring and primary care physicians.
Meets with community services and provides education about VAD care in the event of an emergency. Agencies include:
Police and fire departments
Local hospitals
Local EMT´s
Home health agencies
Local utility companies
Attends appropriate cardiac-related events to meet new potential referring physicians.
Meets with existing and potential referring physicians to communicate and promote MGH VAD program.
Develops and provides patient and community education materials related to VAD´s (with assistance from MGH Marketing).
MCS Research
Supports research nurse and efforts to advance knowledge to promote research-based practice.
Evaluates own practice and program effectiveness.
Identifies pertinent nursing and health delivery problems for investigation.
Evaluates current research findings for clinical specialty and determines applicability to unit practice.
Responsible for own professional growth and maintenance of required credentials.
Maintains the standards and educational requirements specific to the position and licensure.
Identifies own learning needs and goals.
Maintains and updates clinical knowledge and skills based on current health care practice/research.
VAD Joint Commission Disease Specific Certification
Working with other VAD coordinators, Heart Center Administrators, MGH Nursing, MGH Compliance and MGH Center for Quality and Safety, VAD coordinator will be responsible for assisting in:
Maintaining and fostering JC standards for VAD´s
Coordinating JC site visit and assuring MGH meets the JC standards in preparation for the biannual visit.
Coordinating Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement initiatives as required by the JC and reports to the JC as required.
Participate in mid-cycle reporting to the JC
Assisting each member of the expanded VAD team with their role related to certification requirements.
Maintaining and updating Clinical Practice Guidelines and education.
HEALTHeCAREERS Network - 9 months ago
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