Chemotherapy Infusion Outpatient Clinic Nurse

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.

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, transporting and disposing of antineoplastic drugs, blood products and medical waste. They oversee the administration and management of various medical procedures and treatments in the oncology setting, including vascular access devices, infusion treatments and therapeutic phlebotomy. 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 and provides pre-treatment and post- treatment education. The Oncology/Hematology Infusion RN will review the patients chart to identify potential problems prior to and after infusion, to include labs, imaging and any other pre-treatment or post- treatment requirements. Assesses a patients physical and emotional status as well as the patients and family knowledge of the disease and its management through the continuum of treatment. The RN will provide infusion specific treatments on inpatient units and in outpatient settings. 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. When assigned as charge nurse, the RN will coordinate daily operations to ensure safe, efficient and patient centered care. Responsibilities include assigning staff based on patient acuity and treatment complexity, monitoring patient flow and chair utilization. Assists with management of urgent care needs and escalates concerns as appropriate. Ensures adherence to policies and procedures, chemotherapy safety standards and infection prevention practices. Oncology/Hematology Infusion RNs dedicated to the Close to Me program (CTM) will travel to Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) settings. The CTM RNs will be responsible to maintain mandatory fleet car use education annually. 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: 7:00am to 5:30pm Monday-Friday, alternating days off. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

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/13070499. 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 de