OVERVIEW: 

The Registered Nurse – Radiation Oncology (RN-RO) assesses, plans, implements, evaluates and documents nursing care of patients in accordance with facility and departmental policies and in accordance with standards of professional nursing practice. This position is accountable for the quality of nursing services delivered by self or others who are under his/her direction. The RN-RO utilizes specialized knowledge, judgment, and nursing skills necessary to assess data and plan, provide and evaluate care appropriate to the physical and developmental age of patients treated at the Radiation Oncology Center.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/NATURE AND SCOPE: The RN-RO will have the following accountabilities (but are not limited to):

1. Assesses patient physical, psychological, social, spiritual, educational,

developmental, and cultural and discharge planning needs. Obtains pre-certification for treatments as needed.

a. Reviews patient history and physical with patient/family, assures completion within appropriate time frame.

b. Reviews available information obtained by other health care team members.

c. Reviews diagnostics and laboratory data and reports abnormal results to the physician(s) and other appropriate caregivers.

d. Completes assessment and reassessments according to patient need and as outlined in policy and standards of care

2. Formulates a radiation oncology plan of care, including the discharge plan, utilizing assessment data, patient, and family and health team input.

a. Initiates a radiation oncology plan of care based on patient-specific needs, assessment data and the medical plan of care.

b. Goals for patient are realistic, measurable and developed in conjunction with the patient/family.

c. Considers the physical, cultural, psychosocial, spiritual, age specific and educational needs of the patient in the radiation oncology plan of care.

d. Plans care in collaboration with members of the multidisciplinary team.

e. Reviews and revises the radiation oncology plan of care to reflect changing patient needs based on evaluation of the patient's status.

3. Implements the radiation oncology plan of care through direct patient care, coordination, delegation and supervision of the activities of the health care team.

a. Provides care based on physician orders and the radiation oncology plan of care, in compliance with policies and procedures, standards of care and regulatory agency requirements

b. Delegates appropriately, and provides nursing supervision in the provision

c. Promotes continuity of care by accurately and completely communicating to other caregivers the status of patients for whom care is provided.

d. Oversee Xofigo procedures, monitor lab work, coordinate with Physician, Physicist and patient, maintain communications and updates between CPC and APC, set-up and assist in the Xofigo procedure, monitor and order supplies

e. Oversee fiducial procedures by preparing documents and calling patients on prep instructions & documents for procedure as well as post procedure follow-ups

f. Set-up CT room for CT planning procedure and assist Radiation Therapist in monitoring patient for radiation therapy planning CT

4. Evaluates the patient's and family's response to care and teaching, and revise the radiation oncology plan of care as needed.

a. Evaluates patient progress towards goals and expected outcomes in collaboration

with other health care team members.

b. Evaluates patient's response and the effectiveness of patient teaching.

5. Documents assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation in the patient record.

a. Documentation is legible, timely and in accordance with policy.

b. Documentation reflects objective/subjective data, nursing interventions and patient's response to treatment.

c. Notes physician orders accurately and in a timely manner.

6. Follows safety standards in all aspects of performance of the above essential functions.

a. Follows standard precautions in the provision of patient care and implements other infection control measures as necessary.

b. Utilizes equipment according to manufacturer's recommendations and hospital policy. Reports/removes unsafe equipment.

c. Reports/documents unexpected occurrences involving patients and others as appropriate.

d. Follows facility specific emergency and disaster preparedness plan.

7. Report to the Illinois Department of Public Health all patients diagnosed and treated within AUS.

a. Utilizes the AbstractPlus and Movelt programs to report to the Illinois Cancer

Registry

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION:

Bachelor's degree of Science (B.S.N.) in Nursing from four-year college or university; or Associates Nursing Degree with one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Active Registered Nurse License and CPR trained

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made available to individuals with disabilities to perform this function.

COMPUTER SKILLS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have the knowledge of: Internet Software; Word Processing Software (Microsoft Word); Electronic Mail Software (Microsoft Outlook); Electronic Health Records (EMR Software); Practice Management Software (AllScripts)