Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - VAD Coordinator

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

About Duke University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of Duke Health's four hospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

This position qualifies for a $10,000 Commitment Bonus that will be paid in four equal installments of $2500 each on the 6 month, 12 month, 18 month and 24 month work anniversaries.

Job Location

Duke University Hospital

Job Summary

The Duke University Hospital (DUH) Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) APP/VAD Coordinator collaborates with patients and the multidisciplinary team to formulate and carry out a plan of care for patients being evaluated for or post ventricular assist device implant in the inpatient and outpatient settings in collaboration with the Heart Failure medicine and cardiothoracic surgery teams. The VAD NP/PA performs physical exams, collects, documents, and analyzes clinical data, conducts and interprets diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, orders and schedules laboratory studies and professional consultations, prescribes appropriate interventions and medications, coordinates the care and discharge of patients, provides direct patient care services, and provides education to staff, patients, significant others, and the community. The NP/PA contributes to excellence in patient care in the inpatient and outpatient clinic settings, research, teaching, and provides leadership to the organization.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Conducts rounds and assesses patients with VADS
• Performs history and physical exams
• Writes notes and orders
• Performs pre-VAD insertion evaluations
• Collaborates with establishing plan of care with multidisciplinary team.
• Arranges transitions of care across the health care spectrum
• Orders, monitors, and interprets inpatient and outpatient tests and diagnostic procedure results to improve patient outcomes and prevent complications and readmissions.
• Cares for patients in the inpatient and outpatient settings with responsibilities including office visits, outpatient laboratory monitoring and medication titration, follow-up phone calls, and triage.
• Provides expert consultation on multiple VAD systems, including basic care, parameters and troubleshooting, for patients and staff at DUH
• Collaborates care practices during normal working hours and while covering on call responsibilities.
• Provides training to patients (pre and post implant and in evaluation phases), caregivers, students, residents, and other clinicians on VAD systems, including alarm management, troubleshooting, and management of VAD-related issues.
• Collaborates with the INTERMACS database and research coordinators to ensure timely screening, consent, and monitoring of clinical trial patient outcomes
• Actively participates in program quality improvement initiatives and research projects to improve outcomes using evidence based care

Job Eligibility Requirements

Education

NP:         Graduate of accredited MSN or DNP nurse practitioner program for adult care

PA:         Graduate of ARC accredited Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree Physician Assistant Program

Certification

NP:         National Certification as a NP for adult care, e.g., AGNP, AGACNP, ANP, FNP

PA:          PA-C

Licensure

NP:         Current unrestricted RN license issued by or recognized by the NCBON with authorization to practice as a NP.

PA:          Current unrestricted medical license issued by the NCMB with authorization to practice as PA

Experience

VAD Coordinator APP experience preferred, but will consider new grad NP with two years of post-orientation nursing experience caring for durable VAD patients.

Other clinical experience that is desirable includes past employment in a cardiac area such as cardiothoracic or coronary care intensive care unit, a cardiac step-down unit or progressive care unit, the cardiac catheterization or electrophysiology lab, a heart failure unit, or a clinical research unit.

Life Support:

Must have BLS and ACLS certification

Physical and mental requirements:

• Able to clearly articulate scope of practice, and practices within those guidelines as a Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant in the state of North Carolina and within the Duke University Health System. 

• Able to independently seek out resources and work collaboratively to solve complex problems

• Able to communicate clearly with patients, families, visitors, healthcare team, physicians, administrators, leadership, and others.

• Able to use sensory and cognitive functions to process and prioritize information, perform health assessments, treatment, and follow-up.

• Able to use fine motor skills

• Able to record activities, document assessments & interventions; prepare reports and presentations;
• Able to use computer and learn new software programs
• Able to provide leadership in clinical area of expertise and in meeting organizational goals
• Able to navigate the Hospital and DUHS to provide clinical expertise to specific patient populations

• Able to withstand prolonged standing and walking with the ability to move or lift at least fifty pounds
• Able to remain focused and organized
• Able to work collaboratively with all levels of personnel

Job Hours

Primary hours will be dayshift (8-5) Monday through Friday. Variations in hours and days of week covered may occur in order to meet patient and service needs, for example, to cover operative procedures or patient emergencies or to perform weekend care or discharges.

On-call coverage is required after hours, on weekends, and on holidays to be rotated and shared among the VAD team clinical members. The schedule and hours of coverage may be changed by Heart Center leadership in consultation with clinical service line leadership based on service needs.