Registered Nurse - Heart Institute Referral RN

About the Role

The Clinical Nurse (CN) II provides Family-Centered Care, recognizing the patient, family, and/or designee as full partners in compassionate, coordinated care based on respect for patient preferences, values, and needs. This role assumes an active part in the clinical education of patients, families, and staff, and functions effectively within nursing and inter-professional teams to foster open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision-making.

The Heart Institute Referral RN serves as the clinical front door to the Heart Institute, ensuring timely, coordinated access for patients referred for pediatric cardiology consultation, procedures, second opinions, and complex cardiac care. Responsibilities include expert clinical triage, evaluating referral urgency, synthesizing medical records and diagnostic studies, and supporting efficient clinical decision-making by Heart Institute physicians. This role coordinates care across a seven-state referral region, maintains proactive communication with referring providers, and ensures patients arrive with complete clinical information for evaluation and treatment.

Responsibilities

• Recognize the patient or designee as the source of control and full partner in providing compassionate, coordinated care based on respect for patient preferences, values, and needs.
• Deliver patient and family-centered care using the nursing process, providing developmentally appropriate, culturally sensitive, evidence-based care.
• Anticipate changes in patient outcomes and unit needs in care provision.
• Communicate and advocate patient values, preferences, and expressed needs as part of care plan implementation, evaluation, and assessment of learning needs.
• Initiate and anticipate individualized care and education for patients and families across the continuum using an interdisciplinary approach.
• Function effectively within nursing and inter-professional teams, fostering open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision-making.
• Apply communication practices that minimize risks across transitions of care.
• Integrate best current evidence with clinical expertise and patient/family preferences for optimal health care delivery.
• Identify key concepts of research and evidence-based practice; participate in structuring the work environment to integrate new evidence into standards of practice.
• Use data to monitor outcomes of care processes and apply improvement methods to continuously enhance quality and safety.
• Minimize risk of harm to patients and providers through system effectiveness and individual performance.
• Use information and technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision-making.
• Navigate and document in the EMR to support patient care.
• Support organizational goals, advance the nursing profession, and enhance professional development by extending influence to professional and community groups.
• Work within scope of practice and delegate according to the Nurse Practice Act.
• Serve as a clinical resource for referring providers and families, ensuring seamless transitions into the Heart Institute.
• Maintain proactive, closed-loop communication with referring physicians to identify barriers to timely care.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
• One (1) year of nursing experience; experience with pediatric congenital heart patients strongly preferred.
• Current Colorado Registered Nurse (RN) license or RN license from a multistate compact.
• BLS/CPR certification from the American Heart Association with at least six (6) months remaining before expiration upon hire.

Applicants with an Associate's Degree in Nursing who agree to obtain a BSN within three (3) years of hire may be considered. Master’s Entry to Practice Nursing (MEPN) may substitute for a BSN.

Schedule

Full-time, 40 hours per week. Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM.

Pay

Hourly range: $39.87 to $59.81, dependent on relevant experience.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and benefits package, including base pay, incentives, and paid sick leave.
• Annual employee bonus program based on organizational performance (paid the following April if goals are met).
• Annual base pay increases based on performance.
• Robust wellness program.
• Eligibility for relocation assistance if relocating from 100 miles or greater.