Position Summary

The Structural Heart Nurse is responsible for coordinating the structural heart program which includes:  transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVRI), Mitra clip repair, and other related procedures/surgeries. This position is responsible for assessing and evaluating suitability of potential structural heart candidates and providing patient education regarding tests/procedure. Extracts and reviews data to allow for accurate screening of patients and coordinates multidisciplinary meetings to discuss structural heart cases. Monitors peri- and post-operative outcomes. Serves as primary point of contact for the structural heart device vendor(s). The Structural Heart Nurse has a central role in the planning and scheduling of procedures and ensuring the availability of the patient, members of the multidisciplinary team and required devices. Maintains fiscal responsibility for the program and evaluates overall effectiveness of the program.

Work Schedule

Forty hours per week, Monday through Friday, with additional hours as needed to meet patient and program needs.

Primary Duties

Clinical Responsibilities:

• Assists structural heart team physicians, referring physicians and prospective patients themselves in identifying potential candidates for structural heart repair.
• RN Assesses and evaluates physical, mental and cognitive status/health of potential structural heart candidates to determine potential suitability for procedure. LPN to educate patients under the guidance of the RN.
• Engages patients and families in extensive and comprehensive counseling regarding tests required for the structural heart procedure. Provides and explains in detail the patient education material.
• Coordinates and collaborates with structural heart team including physicians and their staff to schedule protocol testing.
• Ensures the structural heart team cardiovascular surgeons are consulted regarding operability of potential candidates and facilitates said documentation into appropriate patient visit stay.
• Maintains constant communication with structural heart team physicians, referring physicians and their staff regarding patient evaluations and outcomes of tests.
• Communicates with structural heart team echo cardiographer with preoperative TEE for the purpose of obtaining valvular measurements and other required structural images.
• Consolidates data from each evaluating test and uploads information into a secure international database (ValvePoint) for peer review. Reviews the data images and measurements uploaded in ValvePoint, including annulus measurements, minimal luminal diameters of ileofemoral systems and degree of calcification. Communicates with physicians and medical device representative of findings for their final verification.
• Coordinates a multidisciplinary meeting prior to each structural heart case to discuss upcoming and future cases.
• Assists in data gathering for any future research project involving structural heart devices.
• Maintains open lines of communication with the medical device representative on each case, both pre- and post-operatively.
• Assists the Performance Improvement Department in gathering data for STS/ACC/TVT registry.
• Assists with development and editing order sets and protocols for the structural heart procedure(s) and evaluates as needed with the structural heart team of physicians and their APNs (in consultation with AHH departments involved).
• Provides education and support to AHH staff regarding the evaluation of and care of structural heart patients.

Qualifications/Specifications

• Education: Graduate of an accredited nursing program required.
• Licensure/Certification:  Licensed Practical Nurse with current state licensure or licensure from a state within the Nursing Compact required. BLS certification required within 30 days of employment and prior to providing direct patient care. Successful completion of AHA-approved course in ACLS within 30 days of employment required.  Certification is to be renewed by recommended renewal date on certification card.
• Experience: Minimum of one year adult, acute care with cardiology/cardiovascular LPN level experience required. CVICU, SICU or CCU experience strongly preferred or any ICU or Cath lab/Outpatient Cardiovascular experience. Will consider telemetry-trained nurse with minimum of one year experience.