Clinical Services Nurse Ii​/Iii - Vad Coordinator

Job Summary

The Clinical Services Nurse (CSN) is responsible and accountable for advanced clinical expertise for patients with heart failure who are undergoing evaluation for or dependent on mechanical circulatory support devices such as left ventricular assist devices (VAD). The role encompasses the full spectrum of coordination and care for medically complex and high‑risk patient populations. The incumbent functions as a clinician, educator, consultant, and leader, applying current research, concepts, principles, theories, and outcomes to solve complex problems.

The CSN is an integral member of an interdisciplinary team contributing to excellence in patient care, research/quality improvement, teaching, and organizational leadership.

• Provides advanced nursing care for patients before and after mechanical circulatory support implant, including VADs and total artificial heart, from inpatient to ambulatory care.
• Coordinates evaluation process for pre‑VAD (referral) patients to ensure effective use of hospital resources.
• Assesses post‑VAD patient organ function and health status and collaborates to determine need for additional assessment or intervention.
• Facilitates scheduling of studies and procedures for diagnostic and evaluative purposes.
• Participates in development and implementation of protocols and standards of care for VAD patients with the multidisciplinary team.
• Participates in phone triage/on‑call pager coverage for the Duke VAD emergency pager with advanced practice providers and/or physicians on‑call.
• Provides patient follow‑up via fax, phone, e‑mail, and electronic medical record communication.
• Completes paperwork for prescription prior authorizations, disability paperwork, or FMLA in collaboration with physicians or advanced practice providers.
• Stays up to date with clinical resources and the most recent guidelines for VAD patient care.
• Recognizes socioeconomic barriers, limited health literacy, and disparities in access to care that directly impact outcomes, and refers patients and families to utilize health system and community resources.
• Delivers care in accordance with regulatory requirements.

• Serves as a VAD resource for patients and families by providing pre‑operative evaluations and counseling.
• Identifies patient/family education needs and priorities.
• Coaches patients and families to prepare for discharge from hospital after index VAD implant.
• Provides ongoing VAD education for patients and families.
• Participates in developing, implementing, and evaluating patient education resources and programs.
• Assesses learning needs of nursing staff and the multidisciplinary team; plans and implements appropriate educational forums and opportunities to address critical learning needs and skills.

• Establishes and maintains collaborative relationships within and across departments that promote patient safety, culturally competent care, and clinical excellence for VAD patients.
• Practices collegially with the multidisciplinary team including medical staff, advanced practice providers, and other healthcare team members.
• Communicates with multidisciplinary staff, patients, and family members in a timely manner regarding patient care issues.
• Models professional nursing conduct, appearance, communication, mutual respect, leadership, ethical decision‑making, critical thinking, continuous learning, and problem‑solving skills.
• Provides clinical experience in preceptor roles for nursing students from institutions with contractual agreements with DUHS; participates in orientation of new nursing staff and offers expert coaching and guidance through formal and informal one‑on‑one teaching.

• Maintains awareness of regulatory requirements for the program.
• Employs evidence‑based clinical practice guidelines tailored to individual patients.
• Integrates evidence in the management of patients, families, and groups.
• Collaborates in quality/performance improvement programs and projects, product evaluation, outcomes evaluation studies, and/or clinical research.
• Assists with clinical research when…