Registered Nurse (RN - Clinic) - Oncology

Description

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Being diagnosed with cancer is certainly a terrifying and life-changing event. The impact of cancer on one's life is relative to the extent of disruption and change experienced. Some patients under treatment continue to work or care for their families, facing life, using available resources. It is the nurse’s ability to provide education to the patient and family members across the treatment continuum by guiding the patient in adjusting to the truth of the illness to reduce anxiety and improve coping skills. It is the nurse’s role to perform thorough assessment and apply intervention that will promote positive impact on patient outcomes. Oncology nurses play a significant part in the health care team, as he or she works in all aspects of cancer care. Oncology nurses integrate their technical skills, scientific knowledge, and caring attitude to aid those living with cancer, including their families – starting from diagnosis, treatment, then survivorship to end-of-life care. Oncology nurses assume a variety of roles when providing care for patients with cancer. From being an educator for family members to administration of patient treatment, nurses working for cancer patients should possess a broad range of clinical skills to be effective in the workplace. 

JOB FUNCTIONS

QUALITY

• Maintains the standards of nursing care and implements the policies and procedures of the hospital and Clinical Services.
• Provides direct patient care for assigned patients of all ages utilizing the nursing process (assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation).
• Assesses the patient’s condition considering age-specific developmental needs and discharge planning needs.
• Develops a plan of care and prescribes appropriate nursing interventions to achieve expected outcomes.
• Evaluates patient outcomes and modifies the plan of care as conditions change.
• Recognizes and treats cancer-related issues. Charts patient response to treatment and medication.
• Participates in cancer research to enhance treatment protocols.
• Watches and records patient progress consistently and accurately.
• Reports pertinent observations and reactions to appropriate leadership and physicians.
• Administers medications, IV therapy, and treatments as ordered.
• Assists physicians with special tests and procedures (thoracentesis, lumbar tap, etc.).
• Initiates and/or assists in emergency measures (e.g., cardiac arrest).
• Follows disaster procedures, standard precautions, aseptic techniques, infection control, and isolation guidelines.
• Investigates and reports incidents per risk management policy.
• Completes annual competency evaluations and maintains required certifications.

SERVICE

• Provides supportive resources to patients and families to promote a positive outlook.
• Teaches patients and families regarding treatment expectations.
• Directs and participates in discharge planning and education of patients and significant others.
• Establishes and maintains effective communication with patients, families, and staff to support the hospital mission.
• Coordinates nursing care with other departments for therapies and procedures.
• Ensures equipment is maintained in a clean and safe manner.
• Participates in maintaining a clean and safe environment.

PEOPLE

• Delegates nursing care according to patient needs and staff qualifications.
• Participates in orientation of new personnel.
• Participates in performance evaluations of nursing staff.
• Participates in staff development programs.

FINANCE

• Delegates care appropriately to optimize staffing resources.
• Coordinates care efficiently to reduce delays and resource waste.
• Ensures proper equipment maintenance to prevent unnecessary replacement costs.
• Reports incidents in accordance with risk management policies to reduce liability exposure.

GROWTH

• Participates in cancer research initiatives.
• Attends educational offerings to maintain clinical expertise.
• Maintains current re-certifications appropriate to position and policy.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION:

1. Preparation & Training - Work requires a professional level of knowledge acquired by completing an accredited RN nursing education program. Must hold RN licensure from the ND State Board of Nursing for the current year. Bachelor’s degree preferred.  Position requires completion of BLS CPR and ACLS. Position is required to attend Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NCI) training in the appropriate timeframe according to department orientation checklist.. Oncology Nursing Certification (ONC) will be required within 2 years of employment.
2. Work Experience - Preference for a minimum of one year nursing experience following completion of RN nursing education program. Previous work experience in oncology preferred but not required. Time to reach competency on the job: 6 weeks to 3 months for entry level staff RN.
3. Attendance - Punctual and regular attendance is an essential responsibility of each employee at JRMC. Employee is expected to report to work as scheduled, on time and prepared to start working. Employee is also expected to remain at work for their entire work schedule.
4. Analytical Ability - Required to gather and interpret data in situations such as clinical observations, contributing to care plan, interpreting routine data and carrying out physician directed assignments. Must be able to determine priorities within area of assignment. Must have the ability to access, manipulate, organize and relay information in meaningful ways using email, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, and database management.
5. Independent Judgement - Independent nursing judgment is often required by the professional RN based on established policies and procedures. Substandard performance in nursing skills or judgment may adversely affect patient care, patient welfare and hospital goodwill.
6. Contact with Others - High degree of duties involve contact with others; imperative that this person maintain good relationships with co workers, patients’ families, and visitors; must be tactful and maintain telephone courtesy; must be able to exchange information on a factual basis, dispatch verbal or written messages as directed on a timely basis and perform other activities which require courtesy and tact. Must have excellent and clear communication skills, ability to adapt to quick change, and be well organized.
7. Supervising the Work of Others - Required to plan, assign work to, and check the work of others. Responsible for own work. Little or no responsibility for the work of others.
8. Responsibility for Welfare of Others - High frequency with which work performed by the staff RN may result in very serious physical or emotional harm to others. It is the responsibility of the professional RN to continuously uphold the highest degree of performance within currently defined and acceptable nursing practice standards. High degree of contact with other employees that may result in minor discomfort and delay to patients and co-workers. Activities during the day impact the welfare of patients and employees. Responsible for maintaining absolute confidentiality of information; may be required to assist a team member if needed.
9. Mental/Visual Effort - Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner. Must demonstrate physical and emotional ability to meet agreed upon work schedule and performance standards required by the position. Required duties are such that concentrated attention must be applied on demand consistent with manual skill requirements in situations that may at times be stressful. Visual acuity necessary for reading charts and working with medical devices; color perception necessary for interpreting testing procedures involving color comparisons.
10. Working Conditions - OSHA job classification: This position is defined as a Category I in which the employee does have exposure to blood borne pathogens. Position requires exposure to patients with infectious disease and odor. Must practice aseptic techniques and observe Standard Precautions. Participates in and complies with JRMC Safety Management program. Position is subject to frequent interruptions. Work may be on weekends and holidays; beyond normal working hours and/or temporarily in other positions when necessary. Position is subject to frequent interruptions. Work may be beyond normal working hours and/or temporarily in other positions when necessary. Risk of exposure to elements and hazards related to travel and work in satellite clinics. Must hold a current, unencumbered North Dakota driver's license. Working areas are clean and vented, but on occasion the position requires tasks that will expose individual to grinder dust.
11. Physical & Sensory Effort - Frequent standing or walking. Lifts, positions, pushes and/or transfers patients and/or equipment. Frequent reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and crouching. Needs finger dexterity when handling medication, specialized equipment and performing nursing assessments.
12. Promotion - No formal line of promotion
13. Background - A comprehensive background check and drug screening will be conducted as a condition of employment for this role. 
14. Drug Screen - A urine drug screening is required for all positions and must be completed within 30 days of the date of hire.
15. Physical Requirement - These are physical requirements of the position that may be performed as part of daily duties. Inability to meet one or more of these physical requirements will not automatically disqualify a candidate or employee from the position. Upon request for reasonable accommodation, JRMC may be able to adjust or excuse one or more of these requirements, depending on the requirement, the essential functions to which it relates and the proposed accommodation.

Employee Requirements

• Visual Observation - Continuously
• Standing - Continuously
• Walking - Continuously
• Sitting - Continuously
• Hands and Finger Dexterity - Continuously
• Reaching with Hands and Arms - Continuously
• Climbing - Rarely
• Stooping/Kneeling/Crouching/Crawling - Frequently
• Hearing/Listening - Continuously
• Tasting or Smelling - Occasionally
• Working Inside - Continuously
• Working Outside - Never
• Working in Extreme Heat - Never
• Working in Extreme Cold - Never
• Working with Hazardous Materials - Frequently
• Noise - Continuously
• Working in Dirt/Dust - Rarely
• Driving - Rarely

Lifting / Carrying / Pushing / Pulling:  

• Up to 10 pounds - Frequently
• Up to 25 pounds - Frequently
• Up to 50 pounds - Occasionally
• Up to 75 pounds - Occasionally
• Up to 100 pounds - Occasionally
• Over 100 pounds - Never