Per Diem Outpatient Cancer Center Practice Nurse

Summary

The Practice Nurse in the Mass General Cancer Center at Newton Wellesley Hospital provides improved clinical care, focusing on many of the increasingly complex issues of patients at home, and the timely triage of clinical issues to Advanced Practice Clinicians and Medical Oncologists working in the outpatient setting. The primary focus of the nurse is to be the support of the Oncology/Hematology patients in the Cancer Center including the nursing evaluation as well as education and counseling of patients and families.

The Practice Nurse is available to assist patients, caregivers, or family members and practices in accordance with ANA and ONS standards of care. Using this practice, the nurse triages patient concerns via telephone and receive phone calls related to urgent care, inpatient admissions, prescription refills questions, test result questions, and creates the proper disposition of each. This position reports to the Nurse Director of the Cancer Center and operates within established organizational and departmental policies and procedures.

This position is part of the Massachusetts Nurses Association Bargaining Unit at Newton Wellesley Hospital.

• Perform daily telephone triage and follow up calls with proper documentation.
• Promote direct and timely access by problem solving and assisting in the triage of medical urgencies/emergencies to APCs or Physicians.
• Coordinate (with assistance from APC's or Physicians), Hospice, home infusion, lab services, etc.
• Assist in monitoring patients on oral chemotherapy and aide in ensuring patient compliance with treatment.
• Assist with ensuring compliance with oral chemotherapy regulations.
• Provide ongoing patient management via telephone (prescriptions, teaching, symptom management).
• Document relevant patient information and current plan in patient record.
• Document and reconcile patient's medications in the medication list as needed.
• Identify and help to resolve service delivery problems under the guidance of the Nurse Manager.
• Ensure exemplary customer service by providing consistent communication.
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills when working with peers and patients.
• Prioritize promptly to respond to competing demands with a complex patient population.
• Assist in maintaining an environment for safe and comfortable patient care.
• Maintain steady communication with other members of healthcare team.
• Demonstrate sensitivity and patience in responding appropriately to the verbal and nonverbal communication of patients/families/and coworkers.
• Show flexibility and compassion when dealing with a variety of patients/families in stressful situations.
• Act independently and utilize good judgment in the resolution of clinical and non-clinical problems.
• Visualize and anticipate new problems and offer creative solution and problem-solving processes.
• Demonstrate reliability and punctuality in daily work schedule with coordination of coverage when away from unit.
• Maintain CEUs and attend pertinent educational offerings to maintain a high level of clinical expertise.
• Maintain patient confidentiality.
• Act as a role model by using positive and professional interpersonal skills.
• Maintain current knowledge to assure a safe working environment and demonstrate practical application of all policies and procedures relative to safety and infection control.
• Utilize universal precautions in any potential contact with patient body fluids or used patient supplies that may be contaminated with patient body fluids.
• Maintain established hospital and departmental policies and procedures, objectives, confidentiality, quality improvement program, compliance, safety, infection control, and environmental standards.
• Maintain professional growth and development through attendance at seminars, workshops, conferences or in-services, professional affiliations, or journals to stay abreast of current trends in field of expertise.
• Meet annual competency and retraining requirements.
• Attend meetings as required.
• Perform other functions/duties as requested.

Other Certificate/Diploma Nursing required or Bachelor's Degree Nursing preferred.

• MA Registered Nurse License

Departmental and/or triage experience preferred, surgical patient experience preferred, and experience in ambulatory oncology 1-2 years required.

• Demonstrated leadership skills, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to practice independently and as a team member required.
• Knowledge of basic computer skills required.
• Ability to maintain patient confidentiality required.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, peers, physicians, and family members required.

• Standing Frequently (34-66%)
• Walking Frequently (34-66%)
• Sitting Occasionally (3-33%)
• Lifting Frequently (34-66%) 35lbs+ (w/assisted device)
• Carrying Frequently (34-66%) 20lbs - 35lbs
• Pushing Occasionally (3-33%)
• Pulling Occasionally (3-33%)
• Climbing Rarely (Less than 2%)
• Balancing Frequently…