Infusion Nurse

Description

 Infusion Nurse: 

Part-time (24 hrs/week), Infusion Nurse position available with regional medical oncology practice affiliated with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. We are looking for a caring and highly motivated Infusion Nurse for our Londonderry location. Duties include but are not limited to: administering chemotherapy and other infusion therapy; providing patient education; coordinating care for our patients with outside medical facilities, home care services and other medical providers. Chemotherapy administration experience and good IV skills are required. Will provide cross coverage to the nurse navigation role as well.  Candidate should have current NH RN License (or be eligible). BSN required. Chemo/Biotherapy certification and OCN preferred, but not required. 

Note:  This position is eligible for PTO accrual, but is not eligible for health insurance

SUMMARY: The Staff Infusion Nurse cares for individuals receiving therapy for oncologic and hematologic problems. The nurse’s responsibilities include assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care for a complex patient population. The nurse’s role includes administration of chemotherapy and other medications and infusions, telephone nursing care, direct patient care and charge capture/billing for all services rendered. The nurse provides patient and family education and psychosocial and emotional support. He/she is a member of a multidisciplinary care team that requires effective communication and collaboration with co-workers and staff as well as collaborating institutions and agencies. The role requires clinical expertise, critical thinking, collaborative practice, excellent communication skills and an understanding of the principles and practices of clinical research.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. Delivers expert, evidence-based nursing care to patients and families.

• Implements nursing process:
• Assesses patient and family needs.
• Analyzes assessment data to develop and support clinically accurate diagnoses.
• Plans care by establishing goals with measurable outcomes.
• Implements the plan of care.
• Evaluates the patient’s response to interventions.
• Documents care according to policies and regulatory agencies’ requirements.
• Administers medications, which may include chemotherapy, and performs procedures safely and efficiently in accordance with Institute policy. May administer blood transfusions.
• Evaluates educational and psychological needs of patient and family, and incorporates identified needs into the plan of care.
• Educates patient and family regarding treatment modalities of disease, which may include chemotherapy and radiation therapy and symptom management.
• Recognizes and responds to emergency situations appropriately. Maintains BLS certification.
• Identifies appropriate community resources to promote continuity of care, and makes appropriate referrals.
• Manages patient care across the continuum, making appropriate referrals to home care and hospice as necessary or helping to facilitate them.
• Provides telephone triage according to policies and documents telephone interactions
• Performs the following technical skills:

-Intravenous therapy including peripheral and central venous vascular access devices

-Safe handling practices for cytotoxic and biological agents

-Chemotherapy administration skills, including vesicant and non-vesicant medications

• Complies with accepted standards of professional nursing practice, as well as with all licensure/registration requirements applicable to the nursing role.
• Accurately records charges for all services rendered on the day service.

B. Establishes rapport with patients and families from a variety of cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds.

• Interacts with patients and families in a caring and compassionate manner respecting the need for privacy and confidentiality.
• Develops approaches to problem solving which meet the individual needs of the patients and families.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide age-specific care and support to the populations served.
• Fosters an environment that is sensitive to the needs of diverse populations, including but not limited to culture, ethnicity, gender, and age.

C. Manages the environment of patient care.

• Monitors the environment of care with attention to patient safety, and assures compliance with regulatory agency standards
• Complies with applicable policies, procedures, work rules and standards of conduct.
• Bases care on the current Standards of Oncology Nursing Practice and Oncology Nursing Society Chemotherapy Guidelines.

D. Works collaboratively and functions as an effective member of the health care team.

• Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively with peers and co-workers. Effectively addresses and manages conflicts.
• Demonstrates effectiveness as a contributing member to the multidisciplinary health care team.
• Delegates as appropriate, and supervises assistive personnel in their provision of patient care.
• Functions in the charge nurse role when necessary, collaborating with staff and coordinating flow of patients into the infusion areas.
• Participates in committees and initiatives as instructed.
• Demonstrates flexibility in setting and changing priorities. Accepts additional responsibilities as needed.
• Participates in QA/QI projects for the unit as requested

E. Seeks opportunities to foster professional growth.

• Identifies areas for professional growth. Formulates professional goals, objectives and methods for accomplishing these.
• Attends inservices, workshops and seminars as able or completes continuing education requirements in another manner. Shares information gained with colleagues.
• Facilitates professional growth of self and others by acting as a preceptor and mentor for new staff.
• Collaborates in preparing professional reports, articles and presentations for colleagues and the public.
• Meets all annual evaluation requirements and competencies within the established time period.
• Pursues active membership in local and national professional organizations.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Demonstrated ability to work as an effective member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated skills in critical thinking, problem solving, and ability to make independent decisions.
• Ability to function in a busy work setting with patients with complex needs.
• IV skills strongly preferred
• Work tasks require walking, standing, climbing, sitting, bending, reaching and occasional lifting. Some tasks are performed while sitting.
• Good hearing and vision is required for the time spent in interactions with others, telecommunications and the required reading of medical and pharmaceutical documents and patient care related documents.
• Communications with physicians or staff during office hours requires organization of information, discretion and balancing of multiple communications.
• Resolving patient complaints, conflicts and opportunities requires excellent listening skills, the ability to identify issues and seek a resolution that reflects the quality care and patient satisfaction goals of the practice.
• The work requires concentration and frequent mental and visual attention as well as the ability to work efficiently. Frequent interruptions and movement away from desk require the ability to stay focused and return to uncompleted tasks.
• Telephone communications listening and speaking skills are required for the time spent in this mode of communication.
• The ability to balance multiple tasks and normal stress associated with the duties and responsibilities of this position are essential requirements in the performance of this job.
• The ability to speak, read and write in English, and the ability to perform mathematical pharmaceutical calculations is required for this position.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Works in clinic and office settings with possible exposure to infectious diseases through airborne transmission or contact with blood or body fluids. Work is performed in a clean and neat medical office/treatment environment. Workstations, appropriate

equipment and supplies are provided for ease in performing tasks. Employees are responsible for maintaining their work area in a clean, neat, safe and orderly condition. The employee is introduced to the Hazard Communication Program, Bloodborne Pathogen Program and Emergency Procedures. Employees are responsible for wearing any Personal Protective Equipment that may be required in performing tasks that involve exposure to chemicals, blood or bodily fluids. The employee must be able to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position without posing a direct threat to his or her health and safety, or the health and safety of other individuals in the workplace.

AGE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

Demonstrates understanding of special needs and behaviors of age groups of the population served: young adult to geriatric.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Supervises assistive personnel as appropriate in the provision of patient care.

Requirements

EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION

• Graduate of NLN or CCE accredited school of nursing.
• Licensed Nurse in the state of New Hampshire, in good standing.
• Obtains and maintains BLS certification through nationally accredited agency/facility
• BS in Nursing (or currently matriculated in BS program)
• Minimum of 1 year recent experience as an RN
• Ambulatory and/or oncology experience preferred
• Certification in Oncology Nursing, OCN, AOCN, or CPON preferred.