Registered Nurse (Oncology/ Chemotherapy)

Summary

The Registered Nurse in Oncology/Hematology is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates care based on age specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program
• Upon achievement of a State license - the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
• (Reference VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G6)
• OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing - possession of a current - full - active - and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
• Current - full - active - and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or the District of Columbia
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements - but do not possess the required licensure - may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification
• Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates - and if appropriate - the level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12929756
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
• An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
• Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
• Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Preferred Experience: Outpatient Oncology trained with experience administering chemotherapy - 2 years clinical experience Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting - 15-44 pounds
• Light carrying - under 15 pounds
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (12 hours)
• Repeated bending (12 hours)
• Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13"" to 16"" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• Depth perception
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid may be permitted) Environmental Factors: Outside
• Outside and inside
• Excessive noise - intermittent
• Constant noise
• Slippery or uneven walking surfaces
• Working closely with others
• Working alone
  
  

Duties

• Boise - Idaho blends urban sophistication with outdoor thrills
• Take a stroll through Downtown Boise & Old Boise - where history meets modern design - or the Boise River Greenbelt
• The city offers a vibrant and diverse dining and night life scene - Visit Boise's food guide - and is home to Boise State University's Bronco Stadium
• Boise is a Kid friendly and Pet friendly destination
• For more adventure head to Bogus Basin Ski Resort & Boise Foothills - or to the world-famous Sun Valley or scenic McCall
• The VA Boise Healthcare System provides health care services at 6 locations in Idaho and eastern Oregon
• Facilities include our Boise VA Medical Center and 5 community-based outpatient clinics in Caldwell - Mountain Home - Salmon - and Twin Falls - Idaho - and Hines - Oregon
• To learn more about the services each location offers - visit the VA Boise health services page
• The VA Boise Healthcare System is one of the leading health care systems serving Veterans in the VA Northwest Health Network
• We're an innovative care center within the Veterans Integrated Service Network 20 (VISN 20) - which includes medical centers and clinics in Alaska - Idaho - Oregon - and Washington
• Learn more about VISN 20
• Major Duties: The Oncology/Hematology Registered Nurse (RN) is a clinical expert who uses advanced specialized knowledge and judgement for delivery of high quality and evidence-based care to oncology patients and their families
• Duties include - but not limited to: Uses a team approach to identify - analyze - and resolve patient care problems with measurable outcomes
• Completes physiological assessments and completes documentation in the electronic health record (EHR) in accordance to established policies and procedures
• Triages patient problems and assists in the evaluation of symptoms and initiate interventions in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team
• Monitors - tracks/tends - and reports ongoing care needs and outcomes to the interdisciplinary team
• They direct the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies - and providing quality improvement and outcome utilization
• They provide a safe working environment while administering - handling - and disposing of antineoplastic drugs and medical waste
• They oversee the administration and management of various medical procedures and treatments in the oncology setting - including vascular access devices and infusion treatments
• Conducts in-service education based on insights gained from oncology professional development activities and acquiring specialized skills in oncology-specific areas - including chemotherapy administration - oncology electronic ordering systems - and calculating drug dosages
• Manages monitoring requirements for specific drugs - handling immediate infusion reactions - and preventing and managing oncology-related symptoms and adverse events - such as chemo-related symptoms and immune-related adverse events
• Evaluates outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals - groups - and populations
• Responsible for the documented outcomes at the program or service level
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: 4- 10 hour shifts per week - Week 1: Monday-Wednesday - Friday - Week 2: Monday-Thursday - 7:30am- 6:00pm MST Compressed/Flexible: Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized