Triage RN - TMCH Cancer Center

Summary

The Oncology Triage RN provides expert clinical assessment and care coordination for oncology patients, serving as a critical point of contact for symptom management, treatment-related concerns, and urgent care needs. This role requires strong clinical judgment, preferably triage experience as well as oncology experience. The ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment. This position does not involve the administration of chemotherapy or biotherapy agents therefore the Oncology Certification Network OCN and/or the Oncology Nursing Certification ONS is not required for a triage position.

Coordinates patient care planning with other disciplines utilizing the principles of the nursing process and critical thinking skills in order to maintain patient safety and well-being. (Some positions might be assigned to critical care areas requiring specialized training.)

Essential Functions

Provides direct patient care, evaluates outcomes, consults with other specialists as required and adjusts nursing care processes as indicated to ensure safe patient care.

Writes or obtains initial nursing histories, assesses patients' conditions and develops individual care plans; maintains patient documentation.

Receives and reviews preceding shift reports and floor nurse reports; makes complete rounds of all units, and notes patients' condition.

Notifies appropriate physician regarding any unusual or unexpected events or problems requiring direct physician consultation.

Works with other members of the interdisciplinary patient care team, implements and reinforces patient instructional needs with patient and family offering informational material and pointing out special areas of concern.

Evaluates outcomes of patient care, consults with other specialists as needed and adjusts nursing care processes as necessary to ensure optimal patient care.

Identifies and resolves workplace health and safety issues.

P rovides appropriate, direct patient care utilizing appropriate aseptic techniques.

May manage IV lines, ensure that sterile techniques are adhered to, and oversee patient movement and positioning to ensure that the patient is handled in a medically safe manner.

May perform the administration of pharmacological vasodilator medications for the purpose of nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging; complies with examination competency as defined in the Imaging Services Practice Standards.

Complies with policies, procedures, regulations, and standards and takes corrective action when violations occur.

Orients, instructs, and educates assigned personnel.

Behavioral Health RN: Assesses psychological needs of patient and families upon referral from nursing/medical personnel, external programs, and facilities. Provides discharge and aftercare planning as needed for a smooth transition from urgent care, inpatient, hospitalization, partial hospital program or intensive outpatient program. Represents psychiatric services to referral sources, community agencies, court services, social service agencies, and others as required.

EP-RN Specialist: Assists physicians with procedures such as pacemaker, implantable defibrillator placement, angiograms, ablations, and other electrophysiology-based procedures; inserts cardiac catheters including central arterial/venous access catheters, performs catheter manipulation services. Operates and maintains all electrophysiology recording systems, stimulators and ablations systems, responsible for patient specimen testing, quality control and improvement.

EP Coordinator: Oversees EP area and coordinates with Cardiac Cath Lab lead to better evaluate staffing and schedule needs, training required, materials management, and provides recommendations for efficiencies.

Maternal / Child Float Pool: The Rincon location is an extension of the TMC labor and delivery program. Staffing expectations for the Maternal/Child float pool include coverage at both the Main TMC campus and the Rincon campus. Team members may be assigned to either location based on operational needs and patient care requirements.

Adheres to and supports team members in exhibiting TMCH values of integrity, community, compassion, and dedication.

Adheres to TMCH organizational and department-specific safety, confidentiality, values, policies and standards.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION : Bachelor’s degree preferred.

EXPERIENCE : One (1) year of nursing experience in an acute care setting preferred. (Positions assigned to EP: require two (2) years of EP experience or demonstrated competency in all areas of EP Lab procedures).

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION: Current RN licensure permitting work in the State of Arizona and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required. Additional certification may be required per department.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of direct patient care and critical care procedures and techniques, tools, and responses required to ensure optimal patient care.
• Knowledge of exam indicators, contraindications, and patient preparation.
• Skill in communicating in a clear and concise manner with staff involved in critical care, and physicians to ensure the proper care of patients.
• Skill in reading 12-lead EKG.
• Skill demonstrated in assigned disciplines such as EP, directly involved in patient care.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to complete routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to listen and accurately interpret others’ communication or instructions to take appropriate action.
• Ability to speak and communicate effectively.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.