Registered Nurse - Oncology

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off (PTO) 50 days/year

Federal retirement benefits

Comprehensive health benefits

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in the United States seeks an Oncology/Hematology Registered Nurse (RN) to provide expert cancer care, perform nursing assessments, coordinate care, and administer therapies in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team.

The role emphasizes evidence-based practice, patient education, and safety while maintaining compliance with licensing and accreditation standards. VA offers a comprehensive benefits package and a stable federal work environment.

Qualifications

• English language proficiency is required.
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by accrediting bodies (ACEN/CCNE).
• State license or eligibility for licensure as a Registered Nurse.
• Foreign education evaluation may be required for certain applicants.
• GNT option allows temporary appointment while pursuing licensure.
• Reference VA Handbook 5005 and related standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide and supervise direct patient care following the nursing process.
• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care for age-specific patient needs.
• Coordinate care focused on education, self-management, and patient satisfaction.
• Administer medications and procedures per established policies.
• Lead and participate in evidence-based practice and patient education.

Skills

English language proficiency

Education

Nursing degree/licensure

State license eligibility

Nurse registration

ACEN/CCNE accreditation

Foreign nursing education evaluation

GNT temporary appointment option

Job description

Summary
Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates care based on age specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines.

Summary
Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates care based on age specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines.
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/13069323
• 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 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 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: To perform in a fully successful manner - the individual must have the physical ability to perform job-related duties which require lifting - standing - bending - transferring - stooping - stretching - walking - pushing - or pulling without assistance from another patient care provider or significant other
• Utilizes Safe Patient handling equipment
• The incumbent will be exposed to fluoroscopy and must be able to wear lead protective equipment for extended periods of time
• A health examination must be successfully completed prior to this assignment and periodically thereafter as required by the Employee Health Clinic policy
• There will be intermittent exposure to blood and body fluids.
  

Duties

• 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
• 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
• They direct the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies - and providing quality improvement and outcome utilization
• They provide a safe working environment while administering - handling - and disposing of antineoplastic drugs and medical waste
• They 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
• The Oncology/Hematology RN 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
• Evaluates outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals - groups - and populations
• Responsible for the documented outcomes at the program or service level
• PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: ONS certified or Chemo Certification - Current Chemotherapy Chemo Infusion experience - with at least 3 years or more of recent experience 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: 0800 - 1630 Pay Table: NY74 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized