Senior Registered Nurse - Oncology

Parkland Health

About The Position

The Senior Registered Nurse (RN) uses Parkland’s nursing professional practice model to coordinate care for a defined patient population or specific health conditions. Using the nursing process, the RN assesses patients, identifies nursing diagnoses, develops and implements individualized plans of care, and evaluates patient responses. The RN uses knowledge of patient needs and the healthcare environment to support safe transitions through care and delegates interventions in accordance with the Texas Nursing Practice Act, patient condition, and employee competencies. In Oncology Services, the RN provides patient-centered cancer care across the continuum, including diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, and end of life. The role includes assessing patients, administering and educating about cancer therapies, managing triage, collaborating with the healthcare team, and supporting patients and families. The nurse may also serve as a preceptor, resource, and rotating Charge Nurse, and conducts at least one in-service educational program per year. A $10,000 hiring incentive is available to eligible new talent and/or eligible Parkland rehires who are at least one year from their termination date.

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 a 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 Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy certificate within six months of placement in the role.
Provide care in accordance with the current 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.
Ability to assess patients continuously, consult with team members as required, and provide patient-centered, patient-valued care.
Ability to exercise independent judgment in providing nursing care.
Effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including communication with patients, families, and hospital staff according to established policies and procedures.
Ability to communicate effectively via the overhead paging system when required.
Ability to direct non-nursing staff, serve as a preceptor, and serve as a Charge Nurse on rotation.
Ability to prepare and conduct in-service educational programs.
Demonstrate patient-centered, patient-valued behaviors and knowledge of nursing standards of care for the applicable specialty area.
Satisfactorily complete the oncology orientation and all applicable competencies.
Maintain current Commission on Cancer-specific specialty certification or complete the stated cancer-related continuing education hours.

Responsibilities

Serve as a patient advocate, respecting patient needs, 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, and provide education and training to patients and families.
Provide resources for clinical patient-care issues and participate in assigned community outreach activities as applicable.
Maintain knowledge of rules, regulations, policies, laws, and guidelines governing nursing practice, and support Parkland’s compliance and internal controls.
Maintain knowledge of sanitation, infection control, safety, supplies, equipment, and appropriate use of materials.
Perform admission and discharge assessments; administer medications using the six rights; conduct point-of-care monitoring; and follow safe infection-control practices.
Assess cancer-related and other medical needs, including allergies and hypersensitivity reactions, physical signs and symptoms, activities of daily living, psychosocial needs, support networks, and financial dimensions across the continuum of care.
Complete accurate and timely documentation in patient records and hospital documents in accordance with Oncology Services and Parkland standards.
Educate patients, families, and significant others about cancer care, therapies, treatment side effects, interventions, and prevention.
Provide patient teaching using documented, disease-site-oriented care plans appropriate to the phase of care and discharge planning.
Collaborate with wound care, stoma, and ENT nurses to provide wound, colostomy, and tracheotomy care as directed.
Manage triage for patients, families, and internal and external healthcare professionals to help them navigate the healthcare system.
Seek direction from experienced staff and team members as needed, and provide direction to non-nursing staff when appropriate.
Participate in information exchanges with nursing and other Parkland staff in support of 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.
Precept or train newer nursing staff, serve as Charge Nurse on rotation as necessary, model oncology nursing, and serve as a resource to unit nurses.
Keep current with nursing developments and trends through seminars, workshops, professional journals, and participation in specialty nursing organizations.
Stay informed about clinical trials relevant to the patient population and cancer type, and communicate with clinical trial staff.
Maintain Texas RN licensure and any additional required licensures or certifications.
Integrate new knowledge into work practices and prepare and conduct at least one Oncology Services in-service educational program each 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 annually or 36 hours per three-year accreditation cycle.