Registered Nurse - Hematology/Oncology

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Federal retirement plan (pension) and

Health, vision, dental

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking an Oncology/Hematology Registered Nurse (RN) to provide expert, evidence-based care for Veterans in an outpatient oncology clinic. The role emphasizes teamwork, patient-centered assessment, and coordination of chemo- and non-chemo regimens.

The RN will perform comprehensive assessments, document in the EHR, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to optimize outcomes while adhering to VA standards and safety protocols.

Qualifications

• English proficiency as required by VA handbook
• Nursing degree from an approved program and state licensure
• Oncology nursing experience preferred and chemotherapy administration knowledge

Responsibilities

• Provide outpatient oncology management and close monitoring of care
• Complete physiological assessments and document in EHR
• Triate patient problems and collaborate with interdisciplinary team
• Educate, orient, and assess nursing competencies; contribute to quality improvement
• Administer, handle, and dispose of antineoplastic drugs safely
• Oversee procedures and infusion treatments in oncology settings
• Manage drug monitoring and adverse events related to oncology therapies
• Maintain a safe work environment and ensure infection control and safety

Skills

English proficiency

Oncology nursing

Chemotherapy administration

Education

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Master's degree in Nursing (MSN)

Job description

Summary

The Oncology/Hematology Registered Nurse (RN) is a clinical expert who uses advanced specialized knowledge and judgement for delivery of high quality and evidence-based care to oncology patients and their families. Uses a team approach to identify - analyze - and resolve patient care problems with measurable outcomes.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program
• Upon achievement of a State license - the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
• (Reference VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G6)
• OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing - possession of a current - full - active - and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
• Current - full - active - and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or the District of Columbia
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements - but do not possess the required licensure - may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification
• Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates - and if appropriate - the level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13068968
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
• An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
• Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
• Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing
• clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - lifting and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations - operative/invasive procedures - or home settings
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who"" are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Must completeannual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment.

Duties

• The Registered Nurse in Chemotherapy Clinical will work with Veterans who will need outpatient oncology management therapy and close monitoring of care
• The Registered Nurse in the Chemotherapy Clinic will work with Veterans who will need outpatient oncology management therapy and close monitoring of care
• The clinic maintains 16 recliner care seats that can accommodate 28-36 patients per day
• The Veteran Oncology patients are treated with chemotherapy and non-chemotherapy regimens such as (port flushes - Blood products - IV fluids - Zometa injections - etc.)
• Major duties include - but are not limited to the following below: Completes physiological assessments and completes documentation in the electronic health record (EHR) in accordance to established policies and procedures
• Triages patient problems and assists in the evaluation of symptoms and initiate interventions in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team
• Monitors - tracks/tends - and reports ongoing care needs and outcomes to the interdisciplinary team
• Direct the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies - and providing quality improvement and outcome utilization
• Provide a safe working environment while administering - handling - and disposing of antineoplastic drugs and medical waste
• Oversee the administration and management of various medical procedures and treatments in the oncology setting - including vascular access devices and infusion treatments
• Conducts in-service education based on insights gained from oncology professional development activities and acquiring specialized skills in oncology-specific areas - including chemotherapy administration - oncology electronic ordering systems - and calculating drug dosages
• Manages monitoring requirements for specific drugs - handling immediate infusion reactions - and preventing and managing oncology-related symptoms and adverse events - such as chemo-related symptoms and immune-related adverse events
• Preferred Qualifications: Minimum of 2 years of Oncology Nursing experience Minimum of 2 years in the last 5 years of administration of Chemotherapy/Biotherapy Infusions Documented knowledge of Chemotherapy Induction and Infusion monitoring of the patient progress in treatment regimen Successful Nursing Practice and experience 5 years or greater Prior VA Experience or history of working with Veterans VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 7:30-4pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized