Bone Marrow Transplant Coordinator for Peds. unit- what does this entail??

core0 · Feb 4, 2010

Hello. It looks like I am going to be offered a job as the Bone Marrow RN Transplant Coordinator on a Peds. unit at a large hospital. I am new nurse, but have LOTS of experience in PR, marketing, communications, etc. I believe I got the job because of my communication skills.
The hiring doctor told me I would be greeting the families, setting up insurance info., helping the families with lodging, etc. She said not much floor work... wearing mostly suits, carrying a briefcase, etc.
Any explanation as to what a Bone Marrow RN Transplant Coordinator does is greatly appreciated. It does not appear I'll be 'physically' taking care of the patient. Anyone familiar with this job? I APPRECIATE THE INPUT!! :heartbeat

Normally a coordinator works with the patients and their families to address their treatment. Most places have pre which involves coordinating and testing relatives and post which involves monitoring the patients labs and addressing any post transplant issues. In most transplant program coordinators are key players in managing the patients.

We have social workers that take care of lodging etc. We have a certification section that handles insurance. Most of what the coordinators do inpatient involves education of the patient and their family. For what its worth the coordinators wear "business professional" whatever that means. No briefcases allowed:D.

The job description that the hospital has for the job (as opposed to what the doctor thinks it is) would be the key here.

David Carpenter, PA-C

Epona · Feb 4, 2010

Thanks David. I read the brief description on the job posting website when I applied, but it did not give much detail. The MD said I would be in training for at least a few months and they want me to shadow someone. I have a general idea, but wanted to really know what I would be doing. Guess I will just have to wait and see! I am detailed oriented and love teaching so I am guessing I will like it! Let's hope!

Leecy · Feb 4, 2010

Lucky duck! At my facility that is a coveted job. The co-ordinator would be responsible for arranging pre-transplant testing, co-ordinating marrow matches through the national registry, setting up housing and transportation. Once the child is here and in the program, the co-ordinator follows them throughout the hospitalization and then arranges housing and meds on discharge, makes sure the get to clinic for follow-up, etc. The co-ordinator is the one person besides the doctor that gets to follow the patient all the way through and gets the pleasure of seeing the success. Us floor nurses just get the rough days and hope for an update once in a while. As far as BMT go's, I think it's the most joyous job.

vanlo001 · Feb 4, 2010

In our facility the coordinator job (we have several one for peds heme onc one for peds BMT) works with the doctors and families of transplant patients to coordinate visits and acts as a liason to communicate needs wants on both sides. It takes a certain amount of communication ability to communicate with and for the group of doctors. In our facility this us a hard to fill position for one reason because all the nurses are union yet this position is a non union position, plus the stress of dealing with difficult doctors and stressed out families. Your communication background shluld help you a great deal. Best of luck. At least you will be aware of some potential hardships making you that much better at the position when you start.

crc_nyc · Mar 21, 2010

Hi. I am an assistant transplant coordinator and our centers BMT coordinator acts as a patient advocate, guiding patients and their families through the health care system, assesses their health insurance coverage to determine whether the patient's coverage is adequate for planned care, communicate the transplant plan to all patients/families, referring physician, insurance case managers, stem cell lab, apheresis unit, inpatient unit, and other research coordinators and coordinates the scheduling of pre-transplant diagnostic studies, chemotherapy,progenitor cell collection. Sometimes the coordinators participate in the informed consent process and complete case report forms/data collection. The coordinator should be very well organized since they maintain BMT records like the consent forms, eligibility checklists, BMT logs, and admit packs. There is some patient interaction but everything is more behind the scenes..opening cases with insurance case managers, making sure pre transplant work ups are scheduled and results are obtained, communication with other departments. Hope this helps..