Registered Nurse - Oncology

Description

• Full Time (38 hours/week; 76 hours/pay); Day Shift
• Schedule: Monday through Thursday: 0800-1630; Friday: 0800-1430
• The Oncology/Hematology Registered Nurse delivers direct and indirect nursing care to assigned patients and coordinates nursing care in collaboration with other members of the health team. 
• Duties include, but are not limited to: 
• Administering prescribed medications, treatments, therapies and interventions to patients following approved nursing procedures; initiating and implementing a patient care plan for all assigned patients that includes physician ordered treatments and nursing interventions as appropriate; observing patients and performing nursing assessments, recording significant patient conditions and reactions, and notifying physician of patient conditions and significant incidents; 
• Directing the activities of personnel performing duties with/or related to Oncology/Hematology patients; and assisting with tumor registry and related activities.

Requirements

Knowledge & Experience

Skills-

• Demonstrates basic fundamental nursing skills.
• Demonstrates ability to give and follow instructions accurately.
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills necessary to interact with various levels of health care personnel.
• Demonstrates exceptional technical nursing skills (IV therapy).
• Proficiency in basic computer skills.

Knowledge-

• Clinical nursing standards of care for oncology and hematology patients.

Education-

• Graduation from an accredited School of Nursing.
• Current registration as Registered Nurse with the Indiana Health Professions Bureau.
• RMH strongly recommends the oncology Registered Nurse to become Oncology Nurse Certified (OCN®) within two years of employment

Experience-

• A minimum of two years of previous clinical nursing experience required.
• Previous chemotherapy administration experience preferred.

Authority and Accountability

• Extensive exposure to confidential information or matters.
• Frequent contact with various persons or groups within and outside of the hospital including employees, department managers, physicians, patients, volunteers, visitors and outside agency personnel.
• Must be able to work with, communicate with, and manage different types of people.

Aptitudes

• Must be able to prioritize, utilize critical thinking, and adjust to change.
• Must be able to reason and use logical problem-solving skills.
• Performs duties that require some latitude for independent judgment and initiative in handling situations out of the ordinary.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EFFORT

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Regular requirement to walk, stand, use hands, reach with hands or arms, talk, and hear.
• Frequent requirement to stoop, crouch, kneel, bend, sit.
• Regular requirement to lift and/or move up to 25 lbs., frequently lift and/or move up to 50 lbs. and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 lbs.
• Specific vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
• Speaking and listening skills are essential.
• Time management and multiple task management skills are essential.
• Must be able to work under a moderate amount of stress.
• Must be able to read, write and do simple calculations; follow written and oral instructions.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND WORKING CONDITIONS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate.
• Work is performed in a clean, well-lighted and ventilated building.
• Could be subject to infectious diseases, cuts, abrasions, burns, and punctures.
• Work schedule may vary.
• Could be subject to exposure to chemotherapy.

ACCOUNTABILITY

• Director of Hematology/Oncology Services and Vice President of Nursing.
• Accepts direction from physicians.

QUALITY ASSURANCE-KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Administers prescribed medications to patients in a correct and timely manner following approved policies, procedures and oncology nursing standards.
2. Performs and documents nursing histories and/or assessments on patients and reassesses patients per policy and/or as patient condition warrants.
3. Administers and assists with patient treatments as ordered and/or performed by members of the health care team.
4. Initiates, implements, and revises patient care plans for all assigned patients that includes physician ordered treatments and appropriate nursing interventions.
5. Initiates and implements nursing interventions to patients following approved nursing standards as necessary.
6. Records significant patient conditions and reactions and notifies physician of patient conditions and significant incidents.
7. Delegates responsibilities appropriate to the licensure, education and experience of staff receiving assignment.
8. Participates as a member of the multidisciplinary healthcare team with other hospital departments in order to provide resolution of issues.
9. Communicates appropriately and clearly with Vice President of Nursing, Director of Oncology/ Hematology Services, co-workers, Physicians, and other members of the healthcare team.
10. Demonstrates team attitude; offers assistance to co-workers to provide optimal patient care; solicits assistance from co-workers when necessary.
11. Demonstrates efforts to maintain patient confidentiality as appropriate and per policy; follows HIPPA policies and procedures appropriately.
12. Transcribes written and verbal patient orders in the medical record correctly and in a timely manner; documents appropriately with regards to patient care.
13. Demonstrates ability to initiate intravenous therapy access for patients within 2 attempts. Performs specimen collection duties as required.
14. Assists in orientation process for nursing staff members. Assists in volunteer program as patient care duties allow.
15. Initiates and completes incident reports as necessary when extraordinary or unusual patient care or other situations occur.
16. Coordinates patient access to cancer-related resources and support services, facilitating referrals and assisting patients in navigation the continuum of care.   
17. Actively markets the services provided by the Oncology/ Hematology department.
18. Follows guidelines of Duties by Job Classification List. 
19. Performs other duties as assigned.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

• Maintains effective channels of communication with other employees and patients.
• Takes appropriate action in problem situations to offset adverse effects.
• Projects a professional and positive attitude regarding the hospital.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Attends 70% of departmental meetings held during the year.
• Attends mandatory in-service and educational offerings.
• Seeks opportunities for self-development and identifies areas of improvement.
• Observes hospital dress guidelines and wears ID badge.
• Conducts self in professional manner acting as a role model while practicing and promoting effective guest relations.
• Provides proper notification for absence and tardiness and is punctual for start of scheduled work time.
• Maintains equipment assigned to department and reports malfunctions appropriately.
• Participates in emergency procedures, fire drills, evacuation procedures and internal/external disaster plans, mock codes, and procedures in accordance with departmental responsibilities.
• Takes appropriate length of time for meal break.
• Complies with hospital policies and procedure.
• Completes projects and assignments on a timely basis.

CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

• Participates in the Continuous Quality Improvement Program (CQI) under the direction of Nursing Leadership to meet stated goals and objectives of the CQI Program by:
• Bringing potential problems to nursing leader’s attention.
• Assisting in data collection.
• Suggesting solutions to problems.
• Emphasizing, supporting and committing to CQI practices and processes.
• Taking action to assure CQI within areas of responsibility.
• Participating in peer-review processes as directed.