BMT and Cell Therapy RN Coordinator

Stem Cell Transplant RN Coordinator

To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values - integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion - must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.

The Stem Cell Transplant (SCT) RN Coordinator is responsible for coordination of the evaluation and preparation of patients for Hematopoietic Stem Cell (HSC) transplantation and cellular therapies. The SCT RN Coordinator is responsible for coordinating patient care across multiple areas 'the outpatient clinics, the inpatient nursing unit and the community'in order to provide continuity of patient care across settings. Problems encountered have a significant level of complexity due to both clinical and logistical issues. Independent thinking and a high degree of problem solving and innovation are required to resolve complex and unanticipated problems, applying appropriate interventions to individual patients and patient problems while performing daily tasks. The SCT RN Coordinator is also expected to serve as a clinical resource for other team members, patients/family/caregivers, referring case managers and community clinicians. Although supervision and direction are provided by the Cellular Therapy Program Manager and physicians, the SCT RN Coordinator has wide latitude in decision making within written organizational and department policies and principles. A wide variety of internal and external relationships are involved in performance of the SCT RN Coordinator's duties: - Interacts daily with patients, families/caregivers, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, discharge planners and physicians to provide and facilitate care. - Communicates and collaborates with community physicians, pharmacists, apheresis department, cellular therapy lab, advance practice providers, financial coordinators, insurance company case managers and medical directors to ensure a successful continuum of care. - Maintains a current and ongoing list of cell therapy patients. Organizational skills and problem solving abilities are paramount. In addition to independently planning and scheduling their own daily schedule, the coordinator must be able to prioritize clinical issues and case manage a large number of patients in various stages of the transplant/cellular therapy processes. Additionally, the SCT RN Coordinator must integrate the clinical responsibilities noted above, provide assistance and guidance to other program staff, and participate in program development, and educational activities. The SCT RN Coordinator must demonstrate knowledge and competence regarding the management and care of patients with oncologic and hematologic malignancies and other diseases that are treated with HSC transplantation and cellular therapies, including knowledge of disease pathophysiology, diagnostic testing, coordination and timing between completion of standard care and transplant/cellular therapy, treatment eligibility criteria, pre-treatment conditioning regimens, immunosuppressive regimens, side effects and supportive care protocols. The coordinator must also demonstrate knowledge and competence in the evaluation and eligibility criteria for autologous, related family and unrelated donors, as well as the methods of cell collection and anticipated side effects and management.

Responsibilities

• Conduct pre-treatment interviews with prospective transplant/cellular therapy patients and families. Interpret eligibility criteria for patients, families, physicians and outside agencies. Obtain medical and social histories.
• Autologous Transplant Coordinator
• Performs patient interview of past medical history including current medications, current problems, symptoms, and social profile.
• Clinical Practice: Patient/Family Education
• Develops a patient/family education plan based on assessment findings relevant to teaching learning topics, styles and the identification of special needs and preferences.
• Clinical Practice; Performs patient interview of past medical history including current medications, current symptoms, problems, and social profile.
• Interfaces with physicians, mid-levels, Practice Nurse, schedulers to ensure appropriate Scheduling of laboratory and diagnostic studies, procedures, therapeutic interventions following initial Consultative visit.
• Clinical Program Support
• Participates in the development/revision of scripting for Administrative Staff (Intake Assistant, Clinical Secretary and Receptionists.
• Professional Development
• Sets and strives to meet annual goals for professional development

Qualifications

EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree in nursing required, Master's degree preferred

EXPERIENCE

At least two (2) years of experience as an RN caring for acute and chronically ill patients in oncology/hematology/cellular therapy. Preferred outpatient coordination experience in hematology, and familiarity with insurance processes.

LICENSURE

Current State of Connecticut Registered Nurse License required. Oncology Nursing certification and/or BMTCN preferred. Maintains current BCLS/AED

SPECIAL SKILLS

Organizational skills and problem solving abilities are paramount.