Heart Failure Care Coordinator

Major Responsibilities:

• Evaluates HF measures and implements improvement strategies.
• Conducts concurrent and retrospective clinical review based upon pre-established criteria approved by the Medical Staff for admission appropriateness and avoidable day(s) surveillance.
• Performs comprehensive chart review to determine: type of heart failure, etiology of heart failure, disease modifiers, medication review (both current inpatient medications and home medications), evaluation of left ventricular function, past medical history related to heart failure and diagnostics, and compliance with measures identified to improve care of heart failure patients by American Heart Association Standards and Aurora Health Care.
• Collaborates with physicians daily regarding patient care course. Collaborates with other members of health care team to facilitate a multidisciplinary treatment plan based on ACC Guidelines, initiative protocols and established nursing guidelines.
• Facilitates communications between, and negotiates with, the patient/family, physicians, nurses, dietary, rehab, homecare, social services, and other disciplines that need to collaborate to provide care for the patient.
• Evaluates and documents dietary/medication/smoking compliance, activity/functional status, and barriers to treatment plan.
• Identifies, evaluates and acts to resolve any potential barriers to delivery of care and a timely and appropriate discharge. Facilitates discharge planning and post-discharge care management needs.
• Provides data to evaluate effectiveness of program based on established goals. Collects clinical data on outcomes and resource utilization issues and facilitates reporting of utilization monitoring/review activities to the appropriate committees/persons.
• Serves as a consultant/educator to all nursing services and health disciplines within the Medical Center related to care of the heart failure patients.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• Registered Nurse license issued by the state in which the team member practices.

Education Required:

• Associate's Degree in Nursing.

Experience Required:

• Typically requires 5 years of experience in cardiac clinical nursing.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Working knowledge of case management or utilization management principles.
• Working knowledge of Medicare reimbursement and coding structures.
• Position requires working knowledge of the components of quality and acute patient care needs specifically related to cardiovascular care.
• Requires excellent analytical and interpersonal communication skills necessary to negotiate with families, patient, physicians and third party payers for optimum plan.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with physicians and other professionals in a direct and positive manner.
• Excellent communication and critical thinking skills.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Visual acuity required to facilitate review of written documents/computer screens, medical records, and to record information accurately.
• Clear oral communication and hearing acuity required for receiving instructions and converse on standard telephone.
• Functional speech and hearing to allow for effective communication of instructions and conversation over the telephone.
• Exposed to normal office environment.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.