Experienced RN - Registered Nurse - LVAD Coordinator

Position Title:

Experienced RN - Registered Nurse - LVAD Coordinator

Department:

Transplant Service Overhead

Job Description:

The LVAD Coordinator provides specialized clinical support for advanced heart failure patients being considered for a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) by coordinating care across the full continuum; to include evaluation, pre implant preparation, peri operative care, inpatient recovery, discharge planning, and long term outpatient follow up. This role delivers comprehensive patient and family education on device operation, lifestyle changes, emergency procedures, and expectations throughout the LVAD journey. The LVAD Coordinator works closely with cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, advanced practice providers, transplant teams, case management, and other clinical partners to ensure adequate training and education, seamless care, timely assessments, continuity between inpatient and outpatient settings, and consistent adherence to program standards.

Essential Responsibilities

Responsibilities listed in this section are core to the position. Inability to perform these responsibilities with or without an accommodation may result in disqualification from the position.

Education

• Provide comprehensive education on LVAD/Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) device operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, emergency procedures, and lifestyle adjustments.

• Prepare patients and caregivers for each phase of care, including pre‑implant, peri‑operative, post‑implant, lifestyle adjustments, and long‑term management

• Develop, deliver, or support educational materials and sessions for patients, families, staff, and community partners.

Clinical Coordination

• Coordinate clinical evaluation of potential LVAD candidates, including assessments, diagnostic testing, and multidisciplinary case reviews.

• Support inpatient care coordination, including intra‑operative device management, post‑operative recovery, discharge planning, and follow‑up needs.

• Collaborate with heart transplant coordinators for bridge‑to‑transplant patients when appropriate.

• Provide 24 hour on‑call support for urgent LVAD/MCS patient needs, including device‑related issues and emergent clinical questions

• Lead multidisciplinary LVAD case conferences or device management meetings.

Program Growth & Quality Improvement

• Contribute to the development, refinement, and ongoing improvement of LVAD program policies, procedures, clinical pathways, and operational workflows by collaborating across the multidisciplinary teams at OU Health.

• Contribute to quality improvement activities, data tracking, and analysis of outcomes and program metrics.

• Support or participate in clinical research, data collection, and IRB‑related activities.

Data and Regulatory

• Support INTERMACS (Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support) and/or IMACS (International Mechanical Circulatory Support Registry) data submission and reporting.

• Maintain required program documentation, incident reporting, and audit readiness.

•    Support patients by connecting them with appropriate resources and ensuring continuity and safety across the care continuum.
•    Serve as a resource to patients, families, and staff regarding LVAD/MCS care, device issues, and support needs.
•    Participate in strategic program planning, including volume growth, outreach, and system readiness initiatives.

General Responsibilities

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited school of nursing required.

Experience: At least 3 years of experience as a Registered Nurse in an acute care cardiac setting such as Advanced Heart Failure, Cardiology, Cardiovascular Surgery or Critical Care required.

License/Certification/Registration Required:

• Current RN License issued by the Oklahoma State Board of Nursing or a current multistate compact RN Licensee (eNLC) required.

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) issued by the American Heart Association required.

• Current Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) issued by the American Heart Association required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Knowledge and skillset to coordinate care for MCS or LVAD patients.
• Knowledge of The Joint Commission (TJC) and DNV standards related to ventricular assist device program certification and compliance.
• Ability to submit data and complete reporting for INTERMACS (Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support) and/or IMACS (International Mechanical Circulatory Support Registry).
• Strong ability to evaluate, coordinate, and manage care for complex cardiac patients, including preoperative and post-operative care.
• Strong ability to effectively collaborate across multiple disciplines within an academic medical center, coordinating diagnostic testing, and supporting transitions of care across multiple settings.
• Knowledge of EMR clinical documentation and workflows, regulatory requirements, quality improvement processes, and/or data reporting systems.
• Strong knowledge of advanced heart failure, cardiovascular medicine, and MCS therapies, including LVAD physiology, troubleshooting, and long‑term management.
• Understanding of pre‑operative evaluation, peri‑operative care, and post‑operative management for LVAD patients.
• Familiarity with complex cardiac diagnostics, device alarms, emergency procedures, and interpreting clinical data.
• Ability to clearly explain complex device management, safety protocols, lifestyle modifications, and phases of LVAD care to patients and caregivers.
• Skilled in developing, delivering, and reinforcing structured patient education materials.
• Strong skills in collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, APPs, transplant teams, and case management.
• Proficiency in documenting clinical information accurately within the EMR and maintaining device‑specific, regulatory, and database requirements
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to interact effectively with patients, caregivers, and healthcare teams.
• Ability to assess rapidly changing clinical situations, respond to device‑related issues, and support urgent or emergent patient needs
• Ability to manage competing priorities, coordinate workflow, and maintain attention to detail in high‑acuity settings.
• Comfort working in high‑stress or time‑sensitive environments, including on‑call responsibilities.

Current OU Health Employees - Please click HERE to login.

OU Health is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including PTO, 401(k), medical and dental plans, and many more. We know that a total benefits and compensation package, designed to meet your specific needs both inside and outside of the work environment, create peace of mind for you and your family.