GENERAL SUMMARY:

Responsible for coordinating comprehensive, specialized care for advanced heart failure patients who are candidates for ventricular assist device (VAD) therapy and management of postoperative care for those implanted with a VAD. Includes ongoing outpatient management of those with VADs in place. Responsible for critical patients requiring ECMO, Impella or Tandem Heart percutaneous VAD therapy (MCS therapies).

PRINCIPAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. *Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs and consistently demonstrates our core values.

2. *Collaborates with the MCS Team Leader in the development, implementation and maintenance for all aspects of VAD (MCS) patient care with physicians and a multidisciplinary team.

3. *Responsible for all inpatient coverage (admissions, discharges, surgeries, and daily rounding), outpatient coverage (daily hospital rounding when needed and all outpatient clinic appointments for VAD or pre-VAD patients in any of Bryan Heart’s clinics) and responsible for 24/7 cross coverage of call duties.

4. *Coordinates and assists in the management of the care of high-risk patient populations throughout the continuum; including but not limited to, evaluations, treatments and follow-up care.

5. In coordination with the MCS Team Leader, responsible for tracking patient data and aftercare for all VAD patients.

6. *Responsible for assisting the MCS Team Leader in coordination of the Joint Commission (TJC) disease specific certification process and visits.

7. Facilitates interaction between our partnership and the chosen transplant center, in collaboration with (or absence of) the MCS Team Leader.

8. Under the direction of the MCS Team Leader, ensures compliance with the worldwide INTERMACS registry.

9. *Works closely with the VAD surgeons, heart failure cardiologists and other MCS staff to advance the program’s interest throughout the region Bryan Heart serves.

10. Organizes and leads heart failure patient selection conferences in conjunction with our transplant center partnership to evaluate new patients and follow-up on prior patients, in collaboration with (or absence of) the MCS Team Leader.

11. *Maintains Regulatory Compliance with the Joint Commission, INTERMACS and the FDA to keep program in good standing.

12. Evaluates the daily heart failure list to establish recommendations for those patients meeting criteria.

13. *Responsible for on call duties, to maintain the program’s 24/7 coverage.

14. Responsible for oversight of all capital and reusable VAD equipment, including maintaining accurate equipment records in the patient’s electronic health record as well as through Thoratec Connect equipment management program.

15. Supports the MCS RN Coordinator in education to hospital wide nursing staff.

16. Responsible for cross coverage of education to the surrounding communities.

17. Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest trends in field of expertise.

18. Participates in meetings, committees and department projects as assigned.

19. Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.

(Essential Job functions are marked with an asterisk “*”. Refer to the Job Description Guide for the definition of essential and non-essential job functions.) Attach Addendum for positions with slightly different roles or work-specific differences as needed.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Advanced Practice Nurse (APRN) or Physician Assistant (PA) licensed by the State of Nebraska is required. Three (3) years of experience in acute care or with advanced heart failure care desired. Prior VAD experience preferred. Active membership with International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) or other MCS related national group desired. Ventricular Assist Device Certification (VAD-C ™) required following one (1) year of employment and experience.