Description

The Heart Failure Nurse Practitioner provides leadership and direction for the program throughout the Medical Center and designs protocols, updates, and revises program components as needed. Under the Direction of the Director of Clinical Education, and through a collaborative agreement with the Chief of Cardiology, the Heart Failure Nurse Practitioner coordinates and oversees the care of HF inpatients and outpatients utilizing Standardized Protocols approved by the Interdisciplinary Practice Committee. The Heart Failure Nurse Practitioner’s primary focus is on the continuity of patient care throughout all phases of care, pre-hospitalization, hospitalization, and follow-up care and management utilizing advanced practice skills and knowledge. This position collaborates with multiple disciplines to provide for optimal patient care. Duties encompass evidence based clinical practice, consultation, education and research. Through expert skills, the NP is a leader in coordinating resources to facilitate the achievement of optimum health and wellness for each patient. Continuity is maintained across the continuum of care in all settings. The advanced knowledge and skills required for this role include clinical expertise in the specialty focus area, evidence based practice, mentoring, consultation, collaboration, education, and transformational/change leadership. These are essential to excellent patient, management. The NP and administration are partners in leading the Heart Failure Program.

Core Competencies

Evaluates and treats patients with acute and chronic conditions related to specialty, following standardized procedures. Diagnoses and treats acute, chronic, and long-term healthcare issues. Assesses patient needs through comprehensive history and physical examination. Formulates a diagnosis and treatment plan based on history, physical and clinical findings. Provides care based on the physical and psychosocial needs of patients. Develops, implements and follows up on an individualized treatment plan for each patient which includes ordering appropriate diagnostic tests, prescribing pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. Interprets diagnostic test results. Consults with attending physician on significant patient data. Collaborates with consultants on the management of patients. Initiates hospital discharge and completion of appropriate documentation Initiates BLS/ACLS as necessary when situations require the immediate attention of a physician. Ensures that medication management, physician communication, and education for self management are in place for care transitions. Serves as bridge between hospital and home, follows the patient across the continuum of post acute care services. Prepares for and contributes to the multidisciplinary team weekly scheduled meetings. Develops and implements physician, staff, and patient educational programs and materials. Provides on-going education to nursing staff at the point of care Educates patients and families overall disease management with an emphasis on recognition of worsening symptomatology, prevention of readmission, and improvement of overall quality of life. Develops, implements, and evaluates community and patient education programs in the focus area. Participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the program (ie, policies/procedures, orders, protocols, standards etc). Identifies opportunities for improvement in the care patients receive that can improve outcomes related to infections, complications, and coordination of care. Leads, designs and implements process improvement activities, in a multidisciplinary format, that improve patient outcomes. Collaborates and engages in multidisciplinary team work. Collaborates with case managers in the care of HF patients. Provides feedback to medical and hospital staff regarding patient conditions, needs, and outcomes. Works toward organizational targets in patient’s length of stay and resource utilization. Participates in data collection and auditing around process improvement endeavors, as necessary Attends seminars and continuing education conferences to maintain professional certifications and qualifications Maintains current knowledge of reimbursement issues as they apply to NP practice. Works to identify cost management opportunities for program and individual patients proactively.