Nurse (Stem Cell) at The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE)

Job Purpose

• The Stem Cell Nurse will provide specialized nursing care to patients undergoing stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy at the African Medical Centre of Excellence. This role involves comprehensive patient management throughout the transplant process, from pre-conditioning through engraftment and recovery, ensuring adherence to strict clinical protocols, infection control measures, and providing extensive patient and family education and support.

Key Accountabilities/Responsibilities

Specialized Transplant Care Coordination

• Serve as the primary nursing coordinator for patients undergoing autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
• Manage the entire transplant process including pre-transplant evaluation, conditioning chemotherapy, stem cell infusion, and post-transplant recovery phases.
• Administer high-dose chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and other conditioning regimens with precise monitoring and management of side effects.
• Perform stem cell product thawing and intravenous infusion according to established protocols, monitoring for adverse reactions.

Patient Monitoring & Complication Management

• Provide intensive nursing care to immunocompromised patients in specialized isolation environments.
• Monitor for and manage transplant-related complications including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), veno-occlusive disease (VOD), infections, and organ toxicities.
• Implement rigorous infection prevention measures including protective isolation protocols.
• Manage complex vascular access devices including central venous catheters and apheresis lines.

Symptom Management & Supportive Care

• Provide expert management of treatment-related symptoms including mucositis, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, and pain.
• Administer blood product transfusions and growth factor support as indicated.
• Coordinate nutritional support, hydration management, and other supportive therapies.
• Provide psychosocial support to patients and families throughout the emotionally challenging transplant journey.

Patient & Family Education

• Develop and implement comprehensive education programs for patients and caregivers regarding the transplant process, self-care, and discharge planning.
• Teach infection prevention strategies, medication management, and recognition of complications requiring medical attention.
• Provide counseling on fertility preservation, long-term follow-up care, and survivorship issues.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

• Work closely with the transplant team including hematologists, transplant coordinators, pharmacists, dietitians, and social workers.
• Participate in daily transplant rounds and contribute to care planning discussions.
• Serve as a liaison between patients, families, and the transplant team.

Clinical Documentation & Quality Assurance

• Maintain meticulous documentation of all transplant-related nursing care, patient responses, and outcomes.
• Participate in transplant program quality improvement initiatives, clinical audits, and protocol development.
• Ensure compliance with FACT-JACIE standards and other regulatory requirements specific to cellular therapy.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse (RN) qualification with a valid practicing license.
• Post-basic certification in Oncology Nursing, Hematology Nursing, or Transplantation Nursing is highly desirable.
• Minimum of 4 years of clinical nursing experience, with at least 2 years in hematology/oncology, bone marrow transplantation, or intensive care settings.

Experience

• Experience with chemotherapy administration, stem cell infusion, and management of transplant complications.
• Knowledge of FACT-JACIE standards and cellular therapy protocols.
• Strong clinical assessment, critical thinking, and emergency response skills.
• Exceptional patient education and counseling abilities.
• Excellent documentation, organizational, and teamwork skills.
• Emotional resilience and ability to support patients and families through extended, complex treatment journeys.