An OHSU VAD Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the comprehensive specialized care for advanced heart failure patients in both the inpatient and outpatient environment. These patients are candidates for advanced heart failure therapy using MCS/VAD support with the intent of one either bridge to transplant or destination therapy. In this position, the coordinator will collaborate in the development, implementation, and maintenance of all aspects of care for patients with a VAD in combination with physicians and other members of a multidisciplinary care team. In addition, the VAD Coordinator should demonstrate autonomy with respect to patient evaluation, optimal treatment and follow-up care.

Through knowledge and experience the VAD Coordinator should have the skill set to coordinate and manage the patient care of this high-risk patient population throughout the continuum. Furthermore, this individual will ensure optimization of the patient’s clinical, functional, and psychosocial status. This person provides the communication link in developing patient care among the multidisciplinary team members including social work and the transplant team. Can organize and orchestrate INTERMACS and DNV Disease-Specific VAD certification, focusing on continually improving patient outcomes; assisting in the pre-authorizing process; facilitate participation in cardiovascular/cardiothoracic surgery-related clinical research trials. The VAD Coordinator can support professional knowledge and healthcare management through effective interactions and communications with clinicians, healthcare administrators, community agencies and other professionals.

 

A key component of this position is the ability and responsibility of 24/7 on call for both inpatient and outpatient. In this role the VAD Coordinator is working closely with OHSU medical teams, VAD vendors and outside facilities to maximize the medical management of patients in the VAD Program.   

 

As an administrator, the VAD Coordinator is responsible for overseeing internal and external staff education and competencies as well as the management and maintenance of all VAD related equipment and supplies.

 

 

 

CLINICAL SERVICES: 
•    Working with the various members of the multi-interdisciplinary team in delivering both inpatient and outpatient care. 
•    Facilitate VAD education to patients and their families, nursing, Cath Lab techs, perfusionists, in house staff and EMS personnel. 
•    Attend inpatient rounds with the Heart Failure team for VAD patients and patients who are being considered for advanced MCS/VAD therapy. Providing VAD support and consultation. 
•    Assist in VAD clinic with initial patient assessment and VAD interrogation. Ordering future labs and procedures, training clinic staff and coordinate clinic patient admissions to inpatient status. 
•    Management of patient and VAD during many outpatient procedures and inpatient surgical interventions (OR, IRU and RHC/VAD ramping).
•    Working with inpatient staff educators and Specialty Practice Leaders/Professional Practice Leaders s in developing and maintaining basic and advanced VAD training and annual competencies that are consistent throughout OHSU.   
•    Educating patients and their families about advanced therapies such as MCS/VAD, heart failure and lifestyle changes both pre-implantation and post-implantation. Administering to VAD patients heart failure and neuro/cog study tools pre-implant and at appropriate intervals post-implant.   
•    Working with patients/families, medical teams and palliative care in the setting of comfort care and end of life situations. Being a presence during the termination of MCS/VAD therapy.
•    Working with outside nursing care facilities, OSH’s and EMS personnel in VAD patient education. Facilitating VAD patient discharge to home with their community organizations and medical supply vendors.  
•    Maintaining excellent customer service and patient satisfaction.  

 
OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT
•    Working with MCS vendors and OHSU staff to comply with, maintain and advance the MCS/VAD Program for heart failure patients at OHSU.
•    Knowledge of and compliance with OHSU policies and procedures, DNV-GL Standards, HIPAA and other regulatory bodies’ standards.  
•    Working in collaboration with Clinical Technology Services to ensure both inpatient and home VAD equipment is operating within vendor recommendations. 
•    Developing and maintaining the clinical pathways, standards, policy/ procedures and order sets for the care both of inpatients and outpatients.
•    Developing methods to best utilize the MCS/VAD Program’s resources to service inpatient, outpatient and OHSU staff. 
•    Making recommendations and participating in the procurement of new equipment while maintaining fiscal responsibility. 
•    Coordinating VAD patient care with other areas in the OHSU organization.
•    Coordinating VAD patient care with other VAD Centers for patients who are traveling outside the OHSU service area. 
CLINICAL OUTCOMES & OPERATIONAL PROCESS IMPROVEMENT: 
•    Collaborating with the INTERMACS Coordinator to maintain up to date and accurate patient information and outcomes. 
•    Participating in weekly Patient Care Conference with other members of the Heart Failure team. 
•    Collaborating with the Cardiac Service Line Quality Committee on process improvements.
•    Participates and helps lead ongoing VAD Operations meetings. 
•    Participates in quarterly VAD Best Practice Committee. 
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
•    Creating, maintaining and participating in opportunities for professional development through MCS vendor conferences, professional organization conferences and networking throughout the MCS community.  

• Minimum of 5 years’ cardiac clinical experience with an understanding of the care of adult cardiology and cardiothoracic critical care patients or minimum 3 years’ current experience including 2 years working with VADs or equivalent experience.   
• BSN Graduates: Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing from a program accredited by Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA) 30 days before start date.
• ADN Graduates: Associate Degree in Nursing from an accredited program 30 days before the start date.
• Associate degree Nurses required to enroll in BSN program within 3 years of hire and complete within 5 years of hire
• Current, unencumbered Oregon State Registered Nurse License
• BLS from AHA required. New hires will be enrolled and required to complete during orientation.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation

• Master’s degree in nursing or a related field
• Previous MSC/VAD experience.

 

 

Length of Orientation – Experienced Nurse

• External candidates: OHSU & Nursing New Employee Orientation (NEO) for about a week.
• Either Transition to Practice (TTP) Program Specialty Fellowship/Fellowship Learning Pathway or Orientation experience for 3 days-26 weeks depending on the care area. An employment service agreement may apply.

 

 

This position also comes with great benefits! Some highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care plans. Covered at 100% of the cost for full-time employees and 88% for dependents.
• $50K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee
• Two separate above market pension plans to choose from
• Vacation - 192 to 288 hours per year depending on length of service, prorated for part-time
• Holidays - up to 64 holiday hours per calendar year (employees accrue .0308 holiday hours for each hour paid – included in vacation accruals)
• Sick Leave - 96 hours per year, prorated for part-time
• Substantial public transportation discounts (Tri-met and C-Tran)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Innovative Employee Assistance Program (EAP) including extensive wellness resources

 

We are Oregon's only public academic health center.

In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

All are welcome.

OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply.

To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr@ohsu.edu