Senior Registered Nurse - Oncology Infusion Services

Parkland Health

About The Position

The Senior Registered Nurse in Oncology Infusion Services uses Parkland’s nursing professional practice model and the nursing process to coordinate care for a defined patient population. The RN assesses patients, identifies nursing diagnoses, develops and implements individualized plans of care, evaluates outcomes, and helps patients move through the healthcare encounter without preventable complications or delays. The RN delegates interventions in accordance with the Texas Nursing Practice Act, patient condition, and employee competencies. The role provides oncology nursing care across the continuum, including assessment, medication administration, patient and family education, triage, documentation, and coordination with other care-team members. The nurse also serves as a resource and preceptor, rotates as Charge Nurse as necessary, and prepares and conducts at least one in-service educational program for Oncology Services per year. The schedule is Monday through Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; the position is full time.

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 for Healthcare Providers certification from the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or Military Training Network.
Obtain the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) 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-specific standards.
Demonstrate the ability to safely and successfully perform all responsibilities of Registered Nurse II-Oncology Services.
Have a comprehensive understanding of chemotherapy indications and side effects.
Be able to start and discontinue intravenous access and access and maintain central-line devices.
Provide continuous patient assessment, consult with team members as needed, and deliver patient-centered, patient-valued care using independent judgment.
Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and good oral and written communication; communicate effectively with patients, families, and hospital staff, and via the overhead paging system if required.
Demonstrate the ability to direct non-nursing staff, serve as a preceptor, and serve on rotation as a Charge Nurse.
Be able to prepare and conduct in-service educational programs and demonstrate patient-centered, patient-valued behaviors.
Demonstrate acceptable knowledge of nursing standards of care for the specialty-care area when applicable.
Satisfactorily complete oncology orientation and all applicable competencies.
Maintain current Commission on Cancer-specific specialty certification through an accredited program, or complete the specified cancer-related continuing education hours.

Responsibilities

Coordinate patient care delivery for the assigned patient population using the nursing process and Parkland nursing professional practice model.
Delegate interventions to healthcare personnel in accordance with the Texas Nursing Practice Act, patient condition, and employee competencies.
Advocate for patients by addressing their needs, rights, confidentiality, and religious and cultural preferences; maintain positive working relationships and serve as a resource to patients and healthcare-team members.
Provide patient-care education and training to patients and family members, and participate in assigned community outreach activities when applicable.
Maintain knowledge of rules, regulations, policies, laws, and guidelines governing nursing practice; support compliance and effective internal controls.
Maintain and update knowledge of sanitation, infection control, safety, supplies, equipment, and appropriate utilization of supplies and materials.
Perform patient assessments that meet 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 conditions, including allergies and hypersensitivity reactions, physical signs and symptoms, changes in activities of daily living, psychosocial needs, support networks, and financial dimensions across the continuum of care.
Complete timely and accurate patient-care records and other required documentation in accordance with Oncology Services and Parkland standards.
Educate patients, families, and significant others about cancer care, therapies, treatment side effects, interventions, and prevention; document disease-site-oriented teaching and care plans across phases of care and for discharge planning.
Collaborate with wound care, stoma, and ENT nurses to perform wound, colostomy, and tracheotomy care as directed.
Manage triage for patients, families, and internal or external healthcare professionals to help them navigate the healthcare system.
Seek direction from experienced staff as needed and participate in information exchanges that support Oncology Services and Parkland standards, missions, goals, and objectives.
Identify opportunities to improve work processes and patient and customer satisfaction; make recommendations and implement and monitor results as appropriate.
Serve as a preceptor or trainer for newer nursing staff, rotate as Charge Nurse as necessary, serve as a role model for oncology nursing, and act as a resource to unit nurses.
Stay current with nursing developments and trends through seminars, workshops, professional journals, and specialty nursing organizations; keep abreast of relevant clinical trials and communicate with clinical-trial staff.
Maintain Texas RN licensure and any additional required licenses or certifications, and apply new knowledge to work practices.
Prepare and conduct at least one in-service educational program for Oncology Services per year.
Maintain current Commission on Cancer-specific certification in the nurse’s specialty through an accredited certification program, or complete 12 cancer-related continuing education nursing contact hours per year or 36 hours per three-year accreditation cycle.