TRANSPLANT COORDINATOR, BSN or MSN - Pediatric Heart Transplant

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Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States and is the number one hospital in North Carolina, according to U.S. News and World Report for 2023-2024. Duke University Hospital is the largest of Duke Health's three hospitals and features 1048 patient beds, 65 operating rooms, as well as comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

Pediatric Transplant Coordinator – Duke University Hospital – Day Shift

Duke University Health System- Duke transplant center, seeks to hire an experienced Transplant Coordinator who will embrace our mission of Advancing Health Together.

Department Profile:

The Duke Transplant Center at Duke University Health System is active in delivering exemplary care for each patient to ensure an excellent patient experience, every time.

Department Profile:
The Pediatric Heart Transplant Program at Duke University Hospital is an active program, transplanting complex pediatric patients while delivering exemplary care for each patient and family to ensure excellent experiences and outcomes.
The Transplant Coordinator will work with Pediatric Heart transplant patients during all phases of transplant. The coordinator will be part of the multidisciplinary pediatric heart team as well as work closely with the adult Heart coordinators and team members. The Transplant Coordinator will provide advanced nursing care for patients before and after heart transplantation along the continuum of outpatient to inpatient 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Transplant Coordinator will coordinate the evaluation process for pre-transplant (referral) patients to ensure effective use of hospital and clinical resources. The Transplant Coordinator assesses post-transplant organ function and general health status and collaboratively determines need for additional assessment or intervention based on program protocols and workflows. The Transplant Coordinator provides on-call coverage, for adult and pediatric heart organ offers. On-call coverage includes coordination of activities relating to the transplant event in collaboration with the physician on-call. The Transplant Coordinator organizes the transplantation process when a donor is available (24hours/7 days a week) including communication between physicians, local organ procurement organization, patient/families and the medical team involved including ED, OR, ICU (SICU, ACU), blood bank and histocompatibility labs. The Transplant Coordinator completes necessary documentation according to CMS and the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) guidelines to include listing, status changes, and post-transplant follow-up information. The Transplant Coordinator communicates with multidisciplinary team members, patients, and families in a timely manner concerning patient care/issues.

This is a salaried position that does require rotational weekends and holidays when covering on call. This position does extensive patient assessment in clinic environment, phone triage, and patient education to ensure exemplary care.

Work Hours & Shifts: Monday – Friday, hours per program practice.
Full Time: Day shift, on-call required, rotational weekends and holidays.

Occupational Summary

The Transplant Coordinator coordinates solid organ (heart, lung, heart- lung, liver, kidney, pancreas, and multi-organ) transplantation of all pediatric and adult organ recipients. The Transplant Coordinator provides follow-up and care across the continuum from pre-transplant, during transplant and post-transplant. S/he collaborates with members of the health care team to enhance patient care by developing, supporting and educating nursing staff. S/he is a clinician, educator, investigator, consultant and leader. S/he makes clinical judgments based upon a synthesis of current research, concepts, principles, theories, and outcomes to solve complex problems. The Transplant Coordinator is an integral member of a larger interdisciplinary team contributing to excellence in patient care, research, teaching, and in providing leadership to the organization.

Work Performed

Clinical Practice

1. Provides advanced nursing care for patients before and after solid-organ transplantation for pediatric heart candidates and recipients along the continuum of outpatient to inpatient 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

2. Coordinates evaluation process for pre-transplant (referral) patients to ensure effective use of hospital and clinical resources.

3. Assesses post-transplant organ function and general health status and collaboratively determines need for additional assessment or intervention.

4. Facilitates the scheduling of studies or procedures for diagnostic purposes utilizing fiscal responsibility for patient and hospital costs.

5. Participates in the development and implementation of protocol and standards of care for the transplant patient in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.

6. Assists nurses and other staff to assess, plan, implement and evaluate the care of the transplant patient.

7. Monitors the process and outcomes of routine care to determine quality improvement need.

8. Provides on-call coverage, including coordination of activities prior to transplant, and as medical triage for out patients in collaboration with the physician on-call.

9. Coordinates transplantation process when a donor is available (24 hours/7 days a week) including communication between physicians, local organ procurement organization, patient/families and the medical team involved including ED, OR, ICU (SICU, ACU), blood bank and histocompatibility labs.

10. Completes necessary documentation according to the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) guidelines including listing, status changes and post-transplant follow-up information.

11. Communicates with multidisciplinary team members and patients and families in a timely manner in regard to patient care/issues.

12. Collaborates with PRM and other team members in coordinating discharge plans for patients pre-transplant or post-transplant including referral to home health / IV therapy / Hospice / Rehab / SNF.

13. Communicates with insurer case manager on an as needed basis.

14. Refers patients or families for assistance utilizing health system and community resources as appropriate.

15. Maintains patient transplant record with current data to facilitate communication.

16. Plans nursing care and medical procedures with fiscal responsibility by working collaboratively with transplant administrators, financial coordinators, DUH utilization review and third-part case managers.

Teacher/Educator

1. Educates patients along the continuum to assist understanding of processes and procedures surrounding pre- and post-transplant issues.

2. Develops patient education materials or identifies external resources that are appropriate for patient education in all phases of transplantation care.

3. Educates nurses and other multidisciplinary team members about patient care issues to promote positive outcomes for transplant patients.

4. Provides education and consultation about transplantation, and organ donations for the Duke Health System, public organizations or referral centers/practices.

5. Serves as a resource person/preceptor in organ transplant for graduate and undergraduate nursing programs.

6. Participates or leads team conferences, rounds, or meetings in relation to care of the transplant patient or program issues.

Research Utilization and Scholarly Inquiry

1. Interprets research and published data to nursing staff and colleagues concerning current issues in transplantation including those of a clinical, legal, ethical and economic nature.

2. Incorporates research relating to the care of transplant patients into evidence-based practice while collaboratively determining appropriateness with the medical team.

3. Identifies areas for study and participates in and/or designs and conducts research.

4. Disseminates findings or information through professional publications and/or presentations.

Consultant

1. Serves as a consultant to nurses and other health care professionals regarding the care of the organ transplant patient.

2. Advises referring physicians/nurses in the care of patients in collaboration with the surgical and medical teams.

3. Serves as a community consultation resource through media, telephone and transplant internet links for information about transplantation and organ donation.

4. Consults with unit leadership to resolve issues relating to transplant patients.

Professional Leadership and Development

1. Role models advanced practice professional nursing through conduct, appearance, communication, mutual respect, leadership, ethical decision-making, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills

2. Communicates effectively to maintain positive working relationships and achieve desired outcomes.

3. Supports and participates in the strategic plan for the Duke University Health System, Department of Nursing, and Department of Advanced Practice Nursing.

4. Participates in unit, departmental and hospital-wide committees, task forces or meetings as indicated by role appropriateness.

5. Participates in organ transplant program planning and management within the health system.

6. Demonstrates responsibility for professional practice through active participation in professional organizations, a minimum of 25 continuing education hours/year, and active participation in CSU and APN departmental meetings / educational opportunities.

7. Enhances the body of knowledge in nursing and solid organ transplantation through exchange of ideas and knowledge using venues such as posters, newsletters, presentations, and publications.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Attention to detail and effective communication and documentation with numerous physicians, organ procurement agencies, Operating Room (O.R.), Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Emergency Department (ED) staff, the patient and the patient’s family are required.

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