General Summary 

A challenging role working with a complex patient population who receive mechanical circulatory support as an advanced surgical treatment for heart failure. You will facilitate the process of mechanical circulatory support therapy from patient identification and evaluation through implantation and post-implantation follow up. 

 

Responsibilities

Evaluates potential Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) patients using predetermined criteria, schedules testing, compiles information and presents at multidisciplinary weekly team meetings. Educates MCS candidates and their caregivers of risks, complications, benefits, life-style changes, operation, maintenance, and ongoing care of their MCS equipment. Coordinates inpatient care in various areas of the hospital Coordinates intra-operative device assembly and management during device implant Collaborates with anesthesia during all intra-operative procedures occurring in the OR including hemodynamic monitoring and monitoring of the VAD parameters Collaborates with anesthesia for device management and monitoring during any procedure requiring anesthesia outside of the operating room (i.e. GI suites, interventional radiology, etc) Coordinates post-operative preparation and education for discharge and follow-up needs. Coordinates long-term management and follow-up care for outpatients post MCS implant. Collaborates with Primary Care Physicians and Advanced Practitioners to implement clinical interventions for all MCS patients throughout their care continuum. Participates in the development and maintenance of current education materials and provides ongoing education sessions to maintain staff competencies. Promotes the Henry Ford Health Mechanical Circulatory Support Program to increase patient referrals; this may include participating in outreach meetings, travel, activities with payers and providers, and developing and maintaining relationships with community physicians and nurses. Participates in the gathering and entering of data for INTERMACS, the international database for MCS programs 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 MCS information to assist in obtaining procedural coverage approval. Oversees utilization of MCS resources within the program's budget and participates in planning for future budgets. Coordinates VAD equipment management and maintenance for outpatient and inpatients, troubleshoots equipment, maintains adequate stock of equipment After-hours/weekend on call for outpatient/inpatient VAD emergencies that requires return to the hospital and/or staying late past your scheduled shift May supervise and evaluate department support staff. Collaborate with heart Transplant Coordinators in providing care in pre-transplant phase for patients. On call - may require return to the hospital for device monitoring in OR)

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.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Qualifications Required Three years nursing experience within acute care setting in cardiovascular nursing, cardiac surgical nursing, critical care nursing, and/or care of patients with ventricular assist devices / mechanical circulatory support devices. 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. ICU 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. Additional Information Organization: Henry Ford Hospital - Detroit Main Campus Department: Transplant Heart Shift: Day Job Union Code: Not Applicable