VAD Engineer

Overview

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Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Provide patient care activities to support patients with Ventricular Assist Devices (VAD). Support for long-term VAD patients will be done under the direction of the Advanced Heart Failure Team. Functions include post implantation equipment evaluation, data download and device adjustments, assisting with patient transport, equipment inventory, ambulating patients, assistance in the OR and procedural areas and patient and staff education. Performs other related duties as required (see below also) Patient Care and Advocacy Position is patient facing and longitudinal over the course of the patients time on support. Patient care is in the outpatient setting, in the OR, Emergency Department, ICU and step-down units. Patient care may be in the Hospice unit or at end-of-life. On-call assignments for nights, weekends and holidays are divided equitably among the VAD Engineers. Patient and family education The position requires communication skills to tailor education to the patient and caregivers to ensure safe discharge into the community on life-support equipment. They are responsible for identifying gaps in education and providing re-education. Education is done at regular intervals throughout the patients time on support. Staff education and resource Staff education in classroom format several times a month for Registered Nurses. Education sessions may be Ad-hoc on nights or weekends. Applicant must be able to successfully communicate in front of groups of people and use teach-back/demonstrate method with participants. There will also be education provided to MDs, APPs, VAD Coordinators and other members of the Advanced Heart Failure team as needed. Serves as the expert resource for VAD equipment operation. Clear communication skills required. Reporting/Data Management Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, maintaining accurate patient information in local databases and the medical record, reporting data to INTERMACS (national database), working with Cardiac Research Nurses to share clinical trial data, and communication with Vendors/Manufacturer regarding patient status and/or changes in clinical status. Equipment Management Maintains inventory of EUH and vendor issued patient equipment. Supports all regulatory requirements for VAD Disease Specific Certification by the Joint Commission. Ensures timely follow up for accurate billing. Maintains database that all equipment is up to date with maintenance or if it has expired.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

High school diploma or equivalent required and a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering from an accredited school. Successful completion of a Nursing or cardiovascular technologist program and two years patient care experience, including exposure to VADs, may be considered in lieu of a degree in Biomedical Engineering.