RN I Oncology

SUMMARY:

The Oncology RN I provides professional nursing care by utilizing the nursing process to care for patients within an assigned unit. The Oncology RN I is a nurse who specializes in the support and care for patients diagnosed with cancer. They approach patients with empathy and care, administer chemotherapy treatments, educate patients about their diseases and manage illness and cancer related symptoms.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. The Oncology RN I must be able to assess their patient’s physical and emotional conditions and medical history, conduct a physical examination, prioritize, a plan of care, and organize the delivery of comprehensive nursing care.

2. Collaborates with the physicians to identify the medical management, patient goals and nursing interventions required. Ensures that all relevant laboratory results, pathology reports and imaging tests are available to ensure optimal care plan development

3. Demonstrates technical/clinical competence in directing or providing nursing care that is appropriate for the department assigned, manages change with the workload, initiates emergency measures which require independent judgment and action.

4. Acts as an advocate for patient rights by initiating and maintaining confidentiality, privacy, safety, patient education and active collaboration with the health care team to promote the patient’s best interest.

5. Is accountable for assignments and their completion within scheduled work hours. Maintains appropriate time records and works independently with minimal supervision or direction.

6. Serves as a role model and clinical expert for delivery of an advanced level of professional nursing, orientates new staff members as needed, functions as a clinical resource to other RNs, LVNs, Techs & MAs and delegates nursing care to MA’s and other ancillary personnel consistent with their levels of education and expertise.

7. Supports, promotes and functions within the Hospital and unit policies and procedures and the Nurse Practice Act, and provides leadership in developing and maintaining optimal patient care standards in the clinical setting.

8. Demonstrates proficiency in managing resources and utilizing equipment in a safe manner and actively contributes to cost control by managing time, resources and supplies effectively.

9. Administers and controls medications including parenteral, blood components, pre mixed chemotherapy and biotherapy treatments. Assess and monitor patients during infusion of a chemotherapy and/or biotherapy medication. Identifies potential medication side effects and efficiently treats patient accordingly and in a timely manner.

10. Attends 75%, a minimum of six, unit staff meetings annually to be successful. .

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assesses and cares for the geriatric patient with knowledge and clinical skills of the aging process.

2. Maintains and demonstrates professional skills through self-development and participation in on-going hospital in-service education. Demonstrates clinical competence by successful completion of the Annual certification of standardized procedures. Current knowledge of Standard Precautions in dealing with potential exposure to Blood borne Pathogens.

3. Maintains accountability for own practice and for aspects of nursing care delegated to peers, LVNs and MA’s and other ancillary personnel. Utilizes the chain of command in situations where a resolution for the issue exceeds ones authority.

4. Demonstrates knowledge and the ability to apply ethical and legal principles to practice.

5. Clearly and accurately communicates pertinent aspects of the patient’s care to other members of the Patient Care team. Documentation in patient records will be problem oriented and will provide relevant, factual and accurate information Maintains positive and caring interpersonal relationships with patients, families and fellow employees. Offers and accepts constructive criticism.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

None

WORK ABILITIES

Ability to follow written and oral instructions, must have the ability and desire to learn job functions; must work as part of a team in order to achieve a common goal, and must maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND EXPERIENCE:

1. Previous clinical experience in a patient care setting of < 5 years, with successful completion of orientation and training to the point of competence.

2. Knowledge of hospital and nursing policy and procedure and the function of other departments within the facility.

3. Able to successfully test for the Oncology Nursing Certification (OCN) within two years of oncology experience.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

1. Current licensure to practice registered nursing in the State of California.

2. Current CPR

3. OCN certification (preferred)

AGE OF POPULATION SERVED:

Newborn  Infant/Pediatric  Adolescent X Adult X Geriatric  All  No Patient Care

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Manual dexterity with fine motor ability to operate and handle equipment used in the department. Ability to hear the spoken word, auscultate for physical assessment skills and monitor alarms. Ability to see written type with corrective lenses.

2. Ability to stand for up to several hours at a time, and ability to climb stairs.

3. Must be able to lift 25 pounds and able to perform tasks of lifting, turning, and transferring patients; and sits, stands, bends, lifts, and moves intermittently during working hours with no weight bearing or lifting limitations at time of hire.