Heart Transplant and VAD Coordinator

Join Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital’s team of caregivers that remain on the leading edge of technology and education, all while consistently providing patient-centered healthcare. As part of Cleveland Clinic’s Florida region, Weston Hospital is recognized as one of the top hospitals in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale and Florida regions. Here, you will receive endless support and appreciation while building a rewarding career with one of the most respected healthcare organizations in the world.     

As a Heart Transplant and VAD Coordinator, you will plan, coordinate and manage the care of advanced heart failure patients, including heart transplant and pre- and post-VAD patients, across both inpatient and outpatient settings. In this role, you will play a crucial part in ensuring safe, seamless and high-quality care by providing patient education, staff training, surgical scheduling and coordination, clinic visits and meticulous recordkeeping. You will serve as a vital link between patients and families overseeing and implementing the daily care of heart transplants and VAD patients throughout their treatment journey.

A caregiver in this role works days + on-call shifts from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

This position may include occasional remote work and virtual patient visits.

A caregiver who excels in this role will:

• Plan, coordinate and implement the care of the heart transplant patient and the pre- and post-VAD patient, in both the inpatient and outpatient setting.

• Assess patients in outpatient clinic.

• Follow up prescription refills and fill orders.

• Facilitate plan of care and symptom management with outpatient staff.

• Review medical information from referring physicians and initiate appropriate communication.

• Coordinate with patient's transplant physician and referring physician for evaluation of patient for transplant candidacy.

• Facilitate tissue typing of recipient and donor and arrange the timing and collection of pretesting prior to transplant with referring physician and transplant team.

• Assemble test results of evaluation and arrange further testing.

• Plan, conduct and evaluate educational activities regarding transplant or ventricular assistance devices for potential recipients, families and professionals.

• Triage patients during the entire transplant process for any medical and psychosocial issues.

• Coordinate information flow among medical, ancillary, nursing, financial and insurance offices.

• Collaborate with physicians to provide direct care to patients and plans and evaluate the delivery of care.

• Manage the health care of patients with VADs.

• Assist in obtaining medications and supplies according to the patient's insurance coverage.

• Manage equipment, supplies and charges in conjunction with hospital liaisons.

• Assist in reinforcement of discharge information and train community for patient discharge.

• Contact referring physician and arrange follow-up in the local area or at CCF.

• Support requirements for continued VAD Certification by Joint Commission.

• Participate in research and facilitate procedures.

• Provide in-service for nursing staff and presentations for any outside organization or group inquiring about the transplant or VAD process.

• Support the VAD Process Improvement Committee preparations.

Minimum qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:   

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN)

• State licensure as Registered Nurse (RN), certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP) or Physician Assistant (PAC)

• Basic Life Support (BLS) through American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross

Preferred qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:

• One year of transplant experience

• Transplant experience or GI experience

• ICU experience

• Endoscopy background