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.

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.

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

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.