Oncology RN Patient Educator

St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System; Bluffton (SC); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System is seeking an Ambulatory Oncology Nurse Patient Educator in Bluffton to educate patients starting a new treatment regimen and empower families with resources to follow the oncologist's plan.

The role requires collaboration with the oncology team, infusion experience, and strong documentation. Travel to multiple sites is expected as part of the duties.

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Nursing preferred and current licensure in SC or state of practice.
• ONS ONCC Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Certification is required.
• OCN Certification preferred or to be obtained within 6 months of hire date.
• BLS certification required.
• 2+ years infusion/medical oncology experience required.
• 3-5 years nursing experience.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates thorough review of patient charts including medications, allergies, provider notes, labs, and pathology and ensures regimen testing is ordered.
• Collaborates with multidisciplinary team to ensure comprehensive care across infusion, pharmacy, dietician, social work, navigator, scheduler, and office coordinators.
• Prepares patient education packets, consent forms, calendars and support medications for e-prescribing; schedules labs and 1–2 week follow-up after start of treatment.
• Provides regimen-specific education to patients and families and assesses barriers or social determinants of health.
• Maintains contact with patients 72 hours post education to confirm understanding of treatment plan and schedules.

Education

Bachelors Degree in Nursing – Preferred

ONS ONCC Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Certification- Required

OCN Certification -Preferred or to be obtained within 6 months of hire date

Basic Life Support (BLS) - Required

2+ years Infusion/Medical Oncology- Required

3-5 years of nursing experience

Job description

• CH - South Carolina Cancer Specialists - Bluffton

The Ambulatory Oncology Nurse Patient Educator role will be utilized to improve the overall quality of care within the Oncology Service Line by providing oncology protocol specific education to patients who are starting a new treatment regimen. This job will help prepare and empower oncology patients and families with the resources and tools that are needed to ensure they are well informed to undergo the treatment plan prescribed by their Oncologist. This role requires collaboration with provider and multidisciplinary team to ensure comprehensive care. This will require a registered nurse with a strong oncology background including infusion experience who is flexible to travel to multiple sites, focused, excellent time management, communication and thorough documentation skills. Thorough review of patient’s chart including medications, allergies, provider note, labs and pathology and knowledge of testing and support medications required for each regimen. This team member will need to understand ASCO/ONS standards of care, NCCN guidelines and QOPI requirements. This team member will have their ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Certification and meet CoC requirements. This team member will also be required to be a participant in education committees. This position will also serve to provide backup for Medical Oncology Staff RN and support Medical Assistants and Providers as needed.

Education

Bachelors Degree in Nursing – Preferred

ONS ONCC Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Certification- Required

OCN Certification -Preferred or to be obtained within 6 months of hire date

Experience

2+ years of Infusion/Medical Oncology- Required

3-5 years of nursing experience

License & Certification

Professional License with State of Practice- Required

ONS ONCC Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Certification- Required

OCN Certification -Preferred or to be obtained within 6 months of hire date

Basic Life Support (BLS) - Required

Core Job Functions

Demonstrates thorough review of patient’s chart including medications, allergies, provider note, labs, pathology and ensures all necessary testing has been ordered per regimen requirements. Communicates effectively with provider about any regimen questions or testing that needs to be ordered.

Prioritizes patient education appointments by date, time frame, urgency and pre-treatment requirements. Collaborates with multidisciplinary team members including infusion Resource Coordinator, Pharmacist, Dietician, Social Worker, Oncology Nurse Navigator, Infusion Scheduler and Office Coordinators to ensure comprehensive care.

Prepares patient education packet, consent, calendar and support medications for eprescribing. Schedules lab and follow up appointment 1-2 weeks after new treatment has been received.

Provides regimen specific education to patient and family and assesses any barriers or social determinants of health. Obtains preferred pharmacy, port placement date if applicable, and ensures all necessary testing and referrals have been scheduled. (Cardiac clearance, dental clearance, etc). Provides patient and family with treatment handouts including shopping list, when to call/contact information, allergic reactions, safe handling of drugs/bodily fluids, sexual concerns including fertility and calendar. Answers all questions with effective communication. Obtains consent. Provides a brief tour of the infusion center. Provides patient with copy of education note (provided on day of treatment by infusion nurse), lab and treatment schedule. Enters 99211 billing code for nursing visit.

Communicates with multidisciplinary team and provider after education session about any barriers to care or patient needs. Contacts patient within 72 hours post education session to ensure patient has understanding of treatment plan including support medications, clinic contact numbers and appointment details.

Provides support to providers, staff RN and medical assistants in clinic as needed and collaborates with education nurse at alternate campus.