ONCOLOGY REGISTERED NURSE - INFUSION/MIXING

Description

JOB SUMMARY: An oncology nurse is a specialist in the care of cancer patients. The practice of the profession of nursing as a registered nurse is defined as diagnosing and treating human response to actual or potential health problems, through such services as care finding, health teaching, health counseling, and provision of care supportive to or restorative of life and well-being and executing medical regimens prescribed by a licensed or otherwise legally authorized physician or dentist. A nursing regimen shall be consistent with and shall not vary any existing medical regimen.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Assigned duties and responsibilities are based on the level of education, professional licensure, organizational affiliation, experience and training. Duties and responsibilities, therefore, will be commensurate with the needs of the department and/or office assigned along with those policies and procedures of SDMG.

• Assesses patients’ level of knowledge and understanding of health and illness.
• Assesses patients’ compliance with plan of care and assist patient to comply.
• Provides preventive care and instruction through discussion of risk factors and prevention of complications.
• Provides emotional support to patients and families with chronic illnesses through listening, allowing verbalization of feelings, provide comfort to patients.
• Protects patients’ rights to privacy and confidentiality.
• Reviews and reinforces MD instruction.
• Educates patients on self-assessment/care (i.e., how to check port dressing)
• Identifies changes in patient’s condition, level of urgency and need for action.
• Performs vital checks and consults with MD when indicated.
• Prepares patient for treatments as needed.
• Administers any oral and IM medications, subcutaneous, IV medications, port access etc. as ordered by MD.
• Obtains specimens (throat culture, urine, etc.) and labels correctly as ordered.
• Coordinates services: several MD appointments, lab, x-ray, etc.
• Documents patient care and phone messages in patient medical record.
• Maintains a continuous patient flow through infusion area, checking frequently in waiting area.
• Obtains height and weight and all new patient clerical information for chart. Obtains weight and blood pressure on return patients.
• Reviews medication and supplies, such as checking expiration dates.
• Conducts monthly inspection of code supplies as assigned so that no deficits occur.
• Assists MD with all procedures as indicated.
  
  

20 Consults appropriately with MD regarding patient status and/or symptom changes.

• Notifies MD of urgent problems throughout the infusion appointment.
• Maintains equipment; keeps infusion room functioning properly, reports equipment that is faulty, checks expiration dates on medications.
• Cleans and maintains infusion center with linens and supplies.
• Practices principles of infection control and safety.
• Keeps knowledge and skills current by attending pertinent lectures, in-service seminars and programs.
• Orders and obtains chemotherapy drugs from the pharmacy.
• Knowledge of preparation and mixture techniques of chemotherapeutic agents, accessing an IV; including special implanted IV devices, maintenance of IV therapy; early recognition and/or treatment of extravasation.
• After 1 year of experience in the infusion room, it is expected to get the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) or equivalent certification which must be pre-determined. Training can then ensue in the mixing room until competencies are met to mix independently in the mixing room.
• All certified staff are expected to work in the mixing room on a rotating basis.
• Knowledge of care and cleaning of the restricted area, Restricted Area Barrier Systems (RABS), Laminar Air Flow Horizontal Hood (LAFHH), Biologic Safety Cabinet (BAC).
• Patient counseling: both over the phone as well as in the office.
• Patient teaching: instructions for continuous IV infusion via a pump device.
• When available, start IV’s or phlebotomy for other MD offices.
• Recognizes the need and initiates skills in emergency situations.
• Maintains confidentiality of all information regarding their patients.
• Maintains professional atmosphere at all times in the infusion room.
• Maintains effective working relationships with other departments, MD’s, patients and families.
• Attends OSHA training upon initial employee orientation and annually completes an OSHA competency.
• Will be responsible for the safe handling, manipulation, compounding, administration and disposal of hazardous drugs.
• Maintain knowledge of appropriate PPE in the infusion area and other safety mechanisms such as closed system transfer.
• One nurse should attend a Rapid Response event or as requested.
  
  

Requirements

RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS: Direct relationship with patients/families, physicians and staff.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE: Graduation from high school and graduation from an accredited 2 or 3 year nursing school, with an active New York State RN License. Current Oncology Certification is preferred.. Must exhibit excellent customer service skills at all times. All RN’s are required to be trained in BLS and obtain ACLS within 6 months of working in the infusion area. It is the employee’s responsibility to keep this training current. In one year in the infusion center must obtain the ONS Certification or pre-determined equivalent.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Classification of work level: Heavy. Requires sitting, standing, bending and reaching. May require lifting up to 50 pounds using proper body mechanics. Requires manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment such as computer, fax and telephone. Requires hearing and vision that is adequate to perform job duties.