Overview
9K for 2 years sign on bonus for qualified candidates. The medical oncology unit will consist of patients with a cancer diagnosis, medical step-down patients, and general medical overflow. This position requires basic knowledge of the pathophysiology of cancer and the ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate care for patients on this unit.
For casual positions: casual employees have no regularly scheduled work hours, but require an understanding of, and agreement to fulfill, the minimum time commitments of the position for as long as the position is held. These include at least 48 hours per month with 24 of those hours worked on weekends, and an annual requirement of 24 hours worked on holidays.
Responsibilities
- (30%) Regularly assesses patient’s needs and provides skilled nursing services as prescribed by the physician authorized plan of care, and accepted standards of nursing practice.
- (30%) Provides direct patient care, including nursing assessment, medication administration, treatments, call lights, assisting with transfers, responding to alarms, etc.
- (20%) Evaluates effectiveness of treatment plan and patients' condition to make suggestions and participate in updating or revising the plan in collaboration with other team members.
- (10%) Processes physician/provider orders and performs physician ordered care accurately, completely and in a timely manner.
- (10%) Follows up regarding medication changes and order clarifications.
Other Duties and Responsibilities
- Demonstrates the ability to interpret information and reports pertinent data to the physician, including pertinent clinical information.
- Assesses learning needs considering readiness, ability, preferences, and cultural/spiritual variables.
- Provides education to meet individual needs and ability to learn.
- Participates in care conferences as assigned.
- Develops and maintains good working rapport with interdisciplinary personnel to meet the needs of each resident.
- Coordinates care provided by patient care technicians.
- Demonstrates the ability to organize and prioritize the needs of groups of patients or an individual patient.
- Demonstrates a general ability to manage assignments and perform routine duties on the unit.
- Instructs other team members when appropriate, explaining goals and rationale for individualized care.
- Implements clinical and technical aspects of care in accordance with established policies and procedures.
- Demonstrates understanding of clinical pathways and utilizes them appropriately.
- Remains calm and efficient when working in stressful situations.
- Documents accurately, clearly, and concisely, including pertinent clinical data.
- Shares information and reports significant changes or abnormal findings to appropriate team members.
- Participates in regulatory surveys.
- Participates in performance improvement activities.
- Assists with orientation and ongoing competencies.
- Provides a safe and secure environment for patient care.
- Attends and participates in professional association activities and programs to remain current on regulations, guidelines, and professional standards.
- Remains current on new developments by reading professional journals and attending seminars.
- Demonstrates understanding of the role in emergency preparedness procedures.
- Administers complicated IV therapy, e.g., antibiotic, blood, cardiac drips, and chemotherapy.
- Assesses patients for signs or symptoms of complications of cancer or treatment protocols.
- Accurately uses central lines for drawing blood, administering chemotherapy, etc.
- Interacts positively with patients and families during severe stress situations.
- Demonstrates critical thinking and integration of theory to practice for medical, oncology, medical step-down, and telemetry patients.
- Participates in Transition of Care course for the first 12 months after hire or transfer to position.
- Other duties as assigned.
Certifications and Licensure
- Registered Nurse (RN) – must hold current RN license.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) – required within 1 month of hire or transfer.
- Team Advanced: Techniques for Effective Aggression Management – required within 6 months of hire or transfer (24 months to complete for employees hired on or before 8/1/2024).
Required Education
Associate’s degree in Nursing required; Bachelor’s degree in Nursing preferred.
Education Outline for New Oncology Nursing Hires
- Pass ONS Cancer Basics course within 6 months (unless already held).
- Pass ONS Chemotherapy/Biotherapy Fundamentals of Administration course within 12 months.
- Obtain ONS Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) or Certified Medical Surgical Nurse (CMSRN) within 3 years.
- Maintain ONS Chemotherapy/Biotherapy Fundamentals of Administration or ONS Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Certificate course per ONS recommendations.
- Demonstrate safety and proficiency in preparation, administration, handling, and disposal of antineoplastic agents.
- Demonstrate compliance with policy for management of chemotherapy spills and extravasation.
- Demonstrate skill in managing a variety of vascular access devices (Hohn, PICC, Groshong, Hickman, medports).
- Demonstrate skills in assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of oncology patients and families’ learning needs.
- Demonstrate competency in Microsoft Windows; may require participation in further learning opportunities.
Physical / Mental Requirements and Typical Working Conditions
Exposure to stressful situations, including public contact, trauma, grief, and death.
Must be able to wear personal protective equipment that includes latex or an appropriate substitute.
Must move freely around the facility with or without an assisted device.
Overall vision and hearing necessary, with or without assisted devices.
Must frequently sit, stand, or walk for long periods; may require stooping, kneeling, or crouching.
Some exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other potentially infectious material; must follow bloodborne pathogen and TB testing protocols.
Able to handle multiple tasks, work independently, maintain regular attendance, and remain alert.
Requires overall dexterity for handling, reaching, grasping, and repetitive movements.
Physical Demand Level: Medium. Must occasionally lift or carry 21–50 lbs., frequently 20 lbs. and continuously up to 10 lbs.
Final Notes
Other comments and internal tags have been removed for clarity.