Nurse Clinician (Heart Failure) - Heart and Vascular Center

Qualified candidates with a minimum of 2 years of RN experience may be eligible for a sign-on incentive of up to $15,000.

Previous University of Iowa Health Care Nurse Clinicians that have left in the past 5 years, may qualify for a sign-on incentive of up to $20,000.

The UI Heart and Vascular Center (HVC) is seeking a Nurse Clinician* to function as a clinical expert and care coordinator on behalf of UI Heart and Vascular Center (HVC) for patients collaborating with physicians, patients/families, UIHC staff and health care agencies. Provides education and follow up care to patients undergoing diagnostic and surgical procedures; provide open channels of communication with health care units involved in pre- and post-care of patients.This position will function within the UI Heart and Vascular Center's Heart Failure team.

*position will be filled at 80-100% based on candidate's preference

Being a Nurse in the Heart and Vascular Center

Position Responsibilities

Clinical Practice 

•    Collaborate with nursing, medical staff and other health professionals in the development and review of standards and in planning, implementing and evaluating patient care for the patient population with regard to the condition and age of the patient. Provide direct nursing care when necessary. Follow universal precautions. 
•    Oversee patient flow through the UIHC continuum of care on both the inpatient and outpatient setting. 
•    Serve as active and regular participant in inpatient rounding with the multi-disciplinary care team.
•    Independently coordinate and facilitate patient care between multiple disciplines within both the confines of UIHC and the community (including home health agencies, referring physicians and other community support services). Facilitate continuity of care. 
•    Coordinate patient care to better utilize supportive services through patient visit; pre-schedule testing; follow-up with test results to both patient and physician; obtain medical history; coordinate follow-up appointments; provide medication and disease process; and teaching, etc. Participate in ongoing management of the patient to facilitate care of patient in timely manner.
•    Facilitate care of patient(s) requiring admission, coordinating necessary admission procedures, pre and post procedure care. 
•    Act as a clinical resource or consultant according to the condition and age of the patients. 
•    Participate in implementation and requirements of managed care programs for patient population. 
•    Operate autonomously in communicating with members of the health care team directing patient care and providing continuity of care across settings throughout the phases of care. 
•    Autonomously communicate with referring physician and health care facilities in a timely manner. 
•    Revise patient care regime via the telephone within protocols developed collaboratively. Perform telephone triage of patient calls and facilitates medication refills as needed. 
•    Provide cross-coverage to other HVC Nurse Clinicians PRN. 
•    Perform on-call, clinical duties, special projects and other tasks as needed. 

Administration 

•    Provide leadership for direct patient care programs collaborating with health care professionals. 
•    Participate in decision-making process at unit/division/department level of issues that impact clinical practice. 
•    Participate in/provides leadership for divisional, departmental and/or intra institutional and community committees and projects. 
•    Provide input into financial management activities including operational budgetary decisions and cost containment. 
•    Participate in the ongoing implementation of current regulatory standards required to meet state and national agency accreditation. 

Education 

•    Design and implement patient/family health education activities for patients recognizing individualized need. 
•    Provide patient education in the HVC that includes: 

          o    Assessing learning needs of patients and family’s post-op procedures and provides appropriate education related to diagnosis, procedure                        performed, risk factor modification, and treatment regimens.
          o    Facilitating learning and provides consultation to those in external agencies, communities and to other health care professionals. 
          o    Supporting implementation and evaluation of staff education and orientation programs, coordinating and presenting. 
          o    Facilitating the educational experience for health care students and monitors the care delivered. 
 

Quality Improvement/Research 

•    Incorporate the role of patient care provider, advocate (patient, family, and health care professional), consultant, educator, researcher and quality manager. 
•    Assist with the designated quality database, including compiling and entering quality data. 
•    Participate in the development and implementation of division/unit quality assessment and improvement program using appropriate risk and quality management data. 
•    Use relevant nursing research to improve clinical practice and investigate nursing care problems related to a specific patient population. 
•    Participate in development and conduct of research activities initiated through recognized need in area of specialty and as directed with other disciplines. 

Professional Responsibilities 

•    Interact with staff, patients, medical staff, peers, and others in a professional and cooperative manner. 
•    Assume responsibility for maintaining clinical expertise consistent with patient population requirements and current nursing and medical practice. 
•    Develop management and consultant skills consistent with position responsibilities. 
•    Adhere to professional and legal standards of nursing practice. 
•    Maintain confidentiality of patient and staff information. 
•    Support a work environment that fosters teamwork and is conducive to the recruitment and retention of staff. 
•    Demonstrate the core values of service leadership: respect, communication, accountability, integrity, and compassion. 
•    Remain calm and constructive in conflict situations, listen and attempt to understand other points of view. 
•    Analyze own performance in accordance with position expectations, develops goals and implements a plan to meet goals. 
•    Follow general policies and procedures in accordance with the regulations of the University of Iowa, UI Health Care, the HVC, and the Department of Nursing.