Overview

Responsibilities

• 1. Assesses and documents patient health status and identifies health care needs.
• 2. Evaluates laboratory values correctly and notifies physician of abnormalities; assesses continuance of medication.
• 3. Provides instruction in the disease process to the patient and family. Emphasizes self-care measures to minimize side effects.
• 4. Verifies chemotherapy orders per protocol to validate drug dosage. Demonstrates knowledge of central venous access devices and their maintenance, mechanical controlling devices, blood and blood component therapy, including blood transfusion, autologous donor selection and collection, and therapeutic phlebotomy.
• 5. Administers intravenous infusions and injections as ordered by the physician through established policies and procedures. Assesses patients? intravenous therapy needs and inserts appropriate vascular access device accordingly.
• 6. Schedules pre- and post-treatment testing to aid in recognition of disease state, treatment plan and toxicities. Communicates with patients concerning laboratory data, rescheduling, and coordinating follow-up care.
• 7. Reassesses patient and works with physicians to provide satisfactory management of treatment-related side effects.
• 8. In conjunction with social work and pastoral care, provides counseling/crisis intervention for adapting to and coping with changing health needs.
• 9. Coordinates discharge planning for patient home care needs including home health assistance, physical and occupational therapies, equipment and hospice services.
• 10. Seeks professional growth of self and others and attends in-service education programs. Functions as a preceptor to new staff. Functions as a charge nurse, as assigned.
• 11. In conjunction with the Patient Care Manager and Clinical Research Coordinator, collects and maintains protocol information/data and documentation to ensure that research study protocols are appropriately applied and that study patients are monitored and reported as required.
• 12. Encourages and participates in multidisciplinary consultation, tumor conference and/or health care teams.
• 13. Appropriately documents health care provided according to policies and procedures ensuring that accurate patient charges can be generated for services provided.
• 14. Assesses and identifies relevant clinical or professional issues appropriate for [nursing] research or performance improvement initiatives and assists health care team to keep program up to date.
• 15. Meets performance expectations for Customer Service, Teamwork, Resource Utilization, and Staff and Self Development as outlined in performance review.
• 16. Performs other duties as assigned or directed to ensure smooth operation of the department/unit.
• 17. DIRECTION OF OTHERS
• 17.1 Delegates to and directs the tasks assigned to Patient Care Assistant, HUCs, Medical Assistants and Students, and follows up on assigned tasks.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing; BSN required or within four years (matriculation within six months). OCN, AOCN, or CPON certification required or required within one year of employment. Must have successfully completed ONS Chemotherapy/Biotherapy course and maintain ONS provider card.

EXPERIENCE

Minimum three (3) years medical surgical/oncology experience. Recent and relevant experience in an oncology setting required. Infusion experience required. Outpatient ambulatory experience preferred.

LICENSURE

Current State Of Connecticut Registered Nurse License Required.

SPECIAL SKILLS

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; Must be emotionally prepared to care for chronic and or terminally ill patients and their families. BLS certification required.