Transplant Nurse Coordinator- Stem Cell Transplant Discharge, Full-Time, Days

Company Description

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better healthcare, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. At Northwestern Medicine, we pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, we take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

Job Description

The Transplant Nurse 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 Discharge Nurse Coordinator helps transition patients who have just received a stem cell transplant or cellular therapy, or have been readmitted due to complications or for stem cell harvest, out of the hospital and to the home setting/designated facility.  This position works with inpatient advanced practice professionals, attending physicians, nursing staff, inpatient social workers, intake coordinators, and the post-transplant clinic to provide the best patient care possible as patients transition to life after treatment. 

Responsibilities:

• Stem cell transplant and CAR-T patients are complex in their post-hospital discharge needs. Primary responsibility of this role is to ensure the logistics of discharge are in impeccable order, and work for the patient ‘in the real world’ (i.e.; timing of appointments is amenable for patients and the medical team; all medication has been delivered and is correct, and patient understands how to safely take any new or changed medications). A multidisciplinary approach is required for this detailed work, and the nurse in this role is at the center of ensuring its success. The Discharge Nurse Coordinator:
  • Works with Social Work by providing home health care orders, and any other special needs/orders. If home health care is not an option for patient, find local clinic able to draw labs, possibly infuse fluids/electrolytes, provide central line care.
  • Facilitates blood transfusions for appropriate patients, either at Rube Walker Blood Center or local transfusion centers.
  • Collaborates with inpatient Advanced Practice Professional/Attending Physician to ensure a safe and timely hospital discharge. This includes ordering and checking new medications and refills of existing medications as needed, initiating supportive treatment plans for outpatient infusion medications (such as IVIG), sending outpatient referrals for appointments with specialists, requesting stem cell transplant clinic or other Lurie Cancer Center physician/team follow-up appointments.
  • Utilizes HSCT pharmacist’s expertise to more efficiently complete medication prior authorizations as well as help finalize discharge medications.
  • Facilitates prescriptions renewals to NMH Walgreens, and other local and specialty pharmacies to ensure medications are available in a timely manner and at a reasonable cost (if possible).
• Communicates with staff RN on day of discharge to ensure timely completion of inpatient team orders, and act as liaison between RN and team to efficiently ensure patient needs are met.
  • Assess outpatient/home needs of all HSCT inpatients on service.
  • Begin preparing for discharge within days of patient’s hospital admission by organizing a file for patients which highlights pertinent information, sending test claims for immunosuppressants and antifungals (or any other medication that requires special prior approval). This needs to be done early due to the complex nature of our patient’s medications.
  • Complete prior authorizations on appropriate medications and/or initiate and complete appeal processes. Prior authorizations can include evidence-based articles and letters to insurance companies to further detail medication necessity for approval.
  • Provide teaching to nurses and other staff on an ongoing basis.
  • Serve as a resource to patients and families while inpatient. This includes in depth education of patients and families, in which we discuss disease process (ie GVHD), signs and symptoms to be aware of, important contacts, and overview of their medications, as well as answer any remaining questions.
  • Assists HSCT staff to facilitate patient care inpatient as well for the transition to outpatient. Discharge coordinators communicate and highlight particular patient needs to the post-transplant clinic for smooth transition to outpatient setting.

Qualifications

Requir