Nurse Clinician Coordinator, Outpatient Cardiac Surgery, Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute

Description

Monday through Friday; 5 8 hour shifts; 2 days/week remote post orientation; no holidays, no weekends

We are seeking a well-trained highly skilled and compassionate nursing professional to join our growing Cardiac Surgery team. In this role, you will support a complex patient population throughout their pre-surgery and post-surgery journey and you will be working closely with surgeons, advanced practice providers, clinical support staff, and other departments to ensure that each patient receives seamless, well‑coordinated care. The position requires a nurse with expert communication skills who is confident in implementing evidence‑based nursing interventions tailored to the unique needs of Cardiac Surgery patients. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong cardiovascular assessment skills, foundational knowledge of cardiac surgery procedures, and the ability to manage perioperative medications, patient education, and care coordination across the surgical continuum. This role requires proficiency—or willingness to learn—in pre‑operative evaluation, post‑operative surveillance for complications, wound assessment, recovery guidance, and recognition of red flags requiring escalation. Exceptional communication, clinical judgment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and patient‑centered education skills are essential to support safe, effective outpatient cardiac surgical care.

Daily responsibilities include communicating with patients through telephone outreach, MyChart messaging, and in‑person interactions during clinic visits. Additionally, this role involves initiating and organizing patient education specific to cardiology and ensuring that individuals and their families have the information and resources necessary to navigate their care. Continuous learning is an important aspect of this position, and the nurse in this role will be encouraged to participate in ongoing professional development and quality improvement efforts within the service.

The Nurse Clinician Coordinator reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

• The Nurse Clinician Coordinator provides direct patient care and is accountable for the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of a plan of care for designated patients. The Nurse Clinician Coordinator ensures that quality outcomes are achieved and demonstrates exceptional clinical practice.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides evidence based patient care and is accountable for the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of a plan of care for designated patients
• Facilitate timeliness and access to care and coordinate complex care processes throughout the Northwestern Healthcare System.
• Coordinates patient care across the continuum of care
• Assists patients in interpreting care recommendations as needed.
• Assesses patient and family learning needs, assists in the development of evidence based educational material and provides patient and family education.
• Evaluates patients’ physical and emotional recovery from procedures and strives to promote patient wellness and comfort.
• Serves as a resource for patients and their families, and helps to coordinate resources as needed.
• Monitors quality of care, as well as patient and physician satisfaction, through follow-up discussions and assessments

Qualifications

Required:

• Current license as a Registered Nurse – State of Illinois Professional Nurse
• Bachelor of Nursing Degree (BSN) with three years of clinical experience in ambulatory services
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Outlook and database entry.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and knowledge of quality improvement.
• Ability to effectively build clinical networks and lead system change
• Ability to effectively handle challenging situations.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to analyze data for decision making purposes.
• Ability to adapt to changes in work environment, delays or unexpected events.
• Demonstrates attention to detail and monitors own work for accuracy.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.

Preferred:

• Three years of Clinical experience in the area of clinical specialty.
• Experience with ambulatory operations.
• Experience with process improvement.

Equal Opportunity

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit ourBenefitssection to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position):Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.