Senior Registered Nurse - Oncology Infusion Services

Parkland Health

About The Position

The Senior Registered Nurse in Oncology Infusion Services coordinates patient care for specific patient populations and health conditions using Parkland’s nursing professional practice model and the nursing process. The RN assesses patients, identifies nursing diagnoses, develops and implements individualized plans of care, and evaluates patient responses. The role uses knowledge of patient needs and the healthcare environment to support safe transitions through care, delegates interventions in accordance with the Texas Nursing Practice Act and staff competencies, and provides oncology nursing care, education, and clinical support. This is a part-time position with benefits requiring at least 24 hours per week. The schedule is days, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., three days per week.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
At least two years of nursing experience.
Current, valid Texas RN license or temporary RN license, or valid Compact RN license.
Current healthcare provider BLS certification from the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or Military Training Network.
Obtain the Oncology Nursing Society Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy certificate within six months of placement in the role.
Provide care in accordance with the Texas Nurse Practice Act, established protocols, multidisciplinary plans of care, and clinical-area standards.
Demonstrate the ability to safely and successfully perform all responsibilities of Registered Nurse II—Oncology Services.
Comprehensive understanding of chemotherapy indications and side effects.
Ability to start and discontinue intravenous access and access and maintain central-line devices.
Provide continuous patient assessment and patient-centered nursing care, consult with other team members as needed, and exercise independent judgment.
Effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate with patients, families, and hospital staff according to established policies and procedures.
Ability to communicate effectively through the overhead paging system if required.
Ability to direct non-nursing staff, serve as a preceptor, and serve as Charge Nurse on rotation.
Ability to prepare and conduct in-service educational programs.
Demonstrate patient-centered and patient-valued behaviors and, as applicable, acceptable knowledge of specialty-area nursing standards of care.
Satisfactorily complete oncology orientation and all applicable competencies.
Maintain current Commission on Cancer specialty certification through an accredited certification program, or earn 12 cancer-related continuing education nursing contract hours per year or 36 hours per three-year accreditation cycle.

Responsibilities

Serve as a patient advocate, addressing patient needs and rights, confidentiality, and religious and cultural preferences.
Maintain positive working relationships with Parkland customers, employees, and other internal and external partners.
Serve as a resource for patients and healthcare team members; educate and train patients and families, and participate in community outreach activities as assigned.
Maintain knowledge of and compliance with applicable nursing rules, regulations, policies, laws, accreditation requirements, and health-plan requirements.
Maintain knowledge of sanitation, infection control, safety, supplies, equipment, and appropriate use of materials.
Conduct patient assessments according to admission and discharge criteria; administer medications safely using the six rights; perform point-of-care monitoring and infection-control practices.
Assess cancer-related and other medical needs, including allergies and hypersensitivity reactions, physical condition, symptoms, activities of daily living, psychosocial needs, support networks, and financial dimensions throughout the care continuum.
Complete accurate and timely patient-care documentation that meets Oncology Services and Parkland standards.
Educate patients, families, and significant others about cancer care, therapies, treatment side effects, interventions, and prevention.
Provide disease-site-oriented patient teaching and document care plans according to phase of care and discharge-planning needs.
Collaborate with wound care, stoma, and ENT nurses to provide wound, colostomy, and tracheotomy care as directed.
Manage triage for patients, families, and healthcare professionals to help them navigate the healthcare system.
Seek guidance from experienced staff as needed and participate in information exchanges that support Oncology Services and Parkland goals.
Identify opportunities to improve work processes and patient and customer satisfaction; make recommendations and implement and monitor results as appropriate.
Precept or train newer nursing staff and serve as Charge Nurse on rotation as necessary.
Serve as a role model for oncology nursing and a resource to unit nurses.
Stay current with nursing developments and trends through professional learning and participation in specialty nursing organizations.
Keep abreast of clinical trials relevant to the patient population and communicate with clinical trial staff.
Maintain Texas RN licensure and other required credentials, integrate new knowledge into practice, and conduct at least one Oncology Services in-service educational program annually.
Maintain current Commission on Cancer specialty certification through an accredited program, or complete the specified cancer-related continuing education hours.