Registered Nurse - Oncology/Hematology

Veterans Health Administration • Indianapolis, IN

23h • Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Nurse in Oncology/Hematology is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing or supervising direct patient care. The nurse uses specialized knowledge and judgment to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care to oncology patients and their families. The role coordinates care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care; administers medications and procedures according to established policies; and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to influence care outcomes.

The position leads nursing care for patients with complex needs, supports planning and evaluation of outcomes in the immediate practice setting, and addresses concerns affecting Veteran or patient experience. It also completes physiological assessments and electronic health record documentation, triages patient problems, monitors and reports ongoing care needs, and directs nursing education, orientation, competencies, and quality-improvement activities.

In the oncology setting, the nurse promotes safe handling and disposal of antineoplastic drugs and medical waste; oversees procedures and treatments, including vascular access devices and infusions; and provides in-service education based on oncology professional development. Specialized areas include chemotherapy administration, oncology electronic ordering systems, dosage calculations, monitoring requirements for specific drugs, responding to immediate infusion reactions, and preventing and managing oncology-related symptoms and adverse events.

The tour of duty is negotiable. Telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change-of-station authorization are not available. Applicants must meet the applicable nursing education, licensure, and grade-level qualifications. Basic Life Support is required for RNs in direct patient care positions; Advanced Cardiac Life Support is required in certain specialty areas and assignments.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or an applicable alternative pathway described in the announcement.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a temporary Graduate Nurse Technician appointment may be available to eligible candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the education, experience, and dimension criteria for the grade and level assigned. Requirements vary by grade and may include an ADN or nursing diploma, BSN, MSN, doctoral degree, and specified professional or specialized nursing experience.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for RNs in direct patient-care positions.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification where required for the specialty area or assignment.
• Ability to complete orientation and mandatory education and participate in competency assessment and validation.
• Ability to meet physical requirements, which may include considerable standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, turning, assisting with patient transfers, and transporting patients.
• Ability to meet visual and auditory acuity requirements for safe and effective nursing care.
• Ability to work on computers for extended periods.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Pass required pre-employment screening, including a physical evaluation and, for applicants selected for testing-designated positions, urinalysis for illegal drug use; comply with applicable background, security, onboarding, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Hematology/Oncology experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide and supervise direct patient care using all elements of the nursing process.
• Coordinate care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction across the continuum of care.
• Administer medications and procedures in accordance with established policies and guidelines.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to influence care outcomes.
• Participate in unit- or program-level quality-improvement initiatives and customer-service programs.
• Lead nursing care for patients with complex needs in alignment with ANA Standards of Nursing Practice.
• Apply clinical knowledge and judgment to lead staff participation in planning, decision-making, and evaluation of outcomes in the immediate practice setting.
• Address patient-experience issues, including care coordination, timeliness, process concerns, dissatisfaction themes, and environment-of-care concerns.
• Complete physiological assessments and document care in the electronic health record according to policy and procedure.
• Triage patient problems, assist in evaluating symptoms, and initiate interventions in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.
• Monitor and report ongoing care needs and outcomes to the interdisciplinary team.
• Direct nursing education, orientation, competency activities, quality improvement, and outcome utilization.
• Maintain a safe working environment when administering, handling, and disposing of antineoplastic drugs and medical waste.
• Oversee oncology procedures and treatments, including vascular access devices and infusion treatments.
• Conduct in-service education informed by oncology professional development and specialized oncology skills.
• Manage monitoring requirements for specific drugs, respond to immediate infusion reactions, and prevent and manage oncology-related symptoms and adverse events.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year: 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree