Certification Requirements

Certification in oncology nursing desired.

Job Requirements

1. Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
2. Currently licensed as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State.
3. Bachelor’s degree in nursing preferred.
4. 2-3 years RN experience required.
5. 1-2 years in oncology nursing preferred.
6. IV Therapy experience desired.
7. Knowledge of Oral Chemo Therapy Drugs preferred.
8. Certification in oncology nursing desired.
9. Excellent communication skills to collaborate with other health care professionals and patients.
10. Requires sufficient sensitivity and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with extremely ill or apprehensive patients.
11. Ability to meet with patients and families and provide an overall view of Oncology practices and services related to specific patients as a part of the new patient workflow.
12. Ability to collaborate with team members to ensure patient received needed services (Social Worker, Dietician, etc.)

As applicable, the individual has training/competency in attending to the special needs and/or behaviors appropriate to the age of the patients for which care is being provided.

Job Responsibilities

1. Practices within the boundaries of the NYS Practice Act for Registered Professional Nurses and provides care according to Standards of Care and Practice (unit-specific).
2. Initiates and individualized plan of care with patient/significant other involovement utilizing assessed biological, psychological, sociological, spiritual and cultural needs as identified via database. Ensures the plan is communicated and carried out to meet stated outcomes.
3. Reports changes in patient status to physician; documents observations and actions taken. Iniates nursing actions based on patient changes or needs.
4. Modifies nursing care plan as required by changing patient needs determined by evaluation of patient outcomes and established standards of care.
5. Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary in implementation of: 1) blood transfusion protocol; 2) chemotherapy administration protocol; 3) medication administration policy; 4) venous access device protocol; 5) chemotherapy home infusion protocol; 6) pain management protocol; 7) oral chemotherapy protocol.
6. Demonstrates knowledge and skill in providing comprehensive pain management and symptom management including symptoms of disease, side effects of the disease/treatments and psychosocial/supportive care assessment.
7. Demonstrates knowledge of and assistance with patient related procedures such as brachytherapy, pelvic and pap smears, laryngoscopy, paracentesis, thoracentesis.
8. Demonstrates competency and skill in venipuncture, as requested
9. Participates in cancer related community education/support programs.
10. Communicates professional guidance and support to identify patient needs/problems.
11. Demonstrates the knowledge and skill to conduct telephone triage which provides expert assessment, professional guidance and support to identify patient’s/family’s needs/problems and to take appropriate action.
12. Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to network with other disciplines to provide a multidisciplinary approach to care and support of cancer patients and their families, i.e.; nutritionist, clinical nurse specialist, social worker, physical therapist.
13. Demonstrates the ability to initiate referrals to hospital based and community services to optimally meet cancer patients/families needs.
14. Provides cancer specific patient/family education according to assessed needs, abilities, and readiness per teaching protocol.
15. Utilizes documentation forms appropriately to communicate patient assessment response to intervention and understanding of instructions.
16. Monitors Oral Chemo regimes, follow up by contacting patients at routine intervals to monitor treatment progress, refills prescriptions for patients on time and documents in the electronic medical records sytem and Oral Chemo Calendar.
17. Reviews all new patient packets for missing documentation per guidelines, acts as 1^st point of contact for all new patients by calling them and scheduling them a meeting, provides education and tour of center, communicates to appropriate team members new patient intake, adds new patients to new patient list on shared drive, communicates with navigators on specific patients, refers appropriate patients to social worker and/or dietician.
18. Performs in a calm and professional manner in crisis and emergency situations.
19. Knowledgeable regarding The Joint Commission Standards for Nursing Care and other applicable standards and demonstrates compliance.
20. Demonstrates a working knowledge of Advance Directive practices.
21. Demonstrates competency in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
22. Demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of charge nurse as requested.
23. Other duties as assigned.