RN Outpatient Infusion and Cancer Center - PRN

Under general supervision and in consultation with the responsible medical oncologist and/or advanced practitioner, is responsible for coordinating, managing and communicating the plan of treatment to patients and their families. Specifically, the nurse assists in communications with patients, triages patients and patient issues, performs symptom management and teaches patients regarding their disease process and treatment. In addition, the nurse collaborates with the multi-disciplinary team and utilizes clinical outcomes data to support innovative and cost effective changes to clinical practice.
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* Education:

** Associate Degree from an accredited School of Nursing required; BSN preferred.
** Licensures/

Certifications:

** Current registration with the Maryland State Board of Examiners of Nurses as a Registered Nurse  Completion of "Healthcare Provider" CPR course  ONS Chemotherapy Biotherapy provider card preferred, but not mandatory
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* Experience:

** Infusion experience and outpatient experience preferred, but not mandatory
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* Skills:

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* • Interpersonal communication (oral and written) skills required in order to educate and comfort patients and their families, maintain effective contacts with a variety of hospital personnel, and maintain appropriate documentation records  
• Ability to assess, triage and document medical information pertinent to the oncology patient  
• Skill in oral and written communication to address patient/family and staff concerns  
• Demonstrated skill in problem solving using available resources in innovative ways  
• Interpersonal relationship skills in order to communicate effectively with the oncology care team  Computer and personal productivity skills to enable effective use of e-mail, the Internet, and word processing packages
** Principles

Duties and Responsibilities:

** Utilization of Nursing Process  

A. Assessment.  
1. Assesses patients prior to administration of any therapy or treatment by doing the following:  a) Utilizing physical assessment skills and interview techniques  b) Reviewing pertinent laboratory results  c) Reviewing results and grading side effects related to treatment by using the NCI-CTC scale  
2. Compiles database and documents in a thorough manner, included (but not limited to): assessment, NCI-CTC toxicity criteria, pain assessment, falls assessment, medication reconciliation, education, distress, etc.  3. Anticipates need for intervention by other disciplines.  
4. Determines priorities for patient care needs or problems.

B. Planning.  
1. Initiates and updates plan of care for patient at each visit  
2. Provides patient and family members with information and support, coordinating all aspects of care  
3. Educates patient and family on treatment plan (to include new drugs and side effects), schedule for treatment, information about labs and follow-up visits, Rx medications, when to call the office and what number to call, etc.  4. Documents initial new patient education sessions in the education assessment flowsheet and chemo education flow sheets addressing all elements. Documents any reiteration of initial education, and ongoing in the progress note

C. Implementation.  
1. Performs clinical nursing skills independently.  
2. Administers medications, IV therapy and treatments appropriately and accurately.  
3. Initiates appropriate emergency procedures as necessary.  
4. Communicates the patient's status and plan of care through documentation in the EMR.  5. Verbally communicates the patient's status to physicians, nurses and other health care professionals.  
6. Provides caring, individual attention, compassion, and empathy to patients and their families  
7. Provides patient and family members with information and support, coordinating all aspects of care

D. Patient Care Coordination  
1. Manages daily patient assignment by appropriately setting priorities.  
2. Coordinates patient activities with other disciplines.  
3. Communicates with other oncology team members and the front desk staff regarding wait times by using direct communication and through the use of the office chat room  
4. Communicates in a therapeutic manner with the patient, family, and…