Venous Access Nurse

South Shore Health•Weymouth, MA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Venous Access Nurse assesses veins and patient access needs, plans, implements, and evaluates nursing care for a complex patient population, and makes recommendations to providers about appropriate access devices. The role provides patient and family education, psychosocial and emotional support, and care related to venous access in a cancer center. The nurse works collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team, including colleagues at the Institute, BWH, and other collaborating institutions and agencies. The nurse delivers expert, evidence-based care; evaluates home line-care routines; administers relevant medications and performs procedures safely under Institute policies; and provides specialized care for protocol-drug patients when needed. The position also involves documentation, emergency response, community-resource referrals, patient-safety oversight, participation in unit and divisional initiatives and quality improvement, support of research activities, and contributions to team coordination and professional development. The role serves adult-to-geriatric patients and may include charge nurse responsibilities when necessary.

Requirements

Current registered nurse licensure in Massachusetts, or New Hampshire as appropriate.
At least one year of recent experience as a registered nurse.
AHA BLS certification required; AHA ACLS is accepted as the minimum requirement.
IV clinical expertise, including vein assessment and recommendations for access devices.
Knowledge of line care maintenance and troubleshooting, vein preservation principles and techniques, and clinical research principles and practices.
Strong communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
Critical-thinking and problem-solving skills and the ability to make independent decisions.
Ability to work in a busy setting with patients who have complex needs.
Understanding of the special needs and behaviors of the adult-to-geriatric population served.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing is strongly preferred; nurses with an associate degree in nursing must complete a BSN within four years.
Ambulatory and/or oncology experience preferred.
Professional nursing certification preferred, such as OCN, BMTCN, CPHON, AOCNP, CRNI, or RN-BC.

Responsibilities

Assess veins and access needs and make recommendations to providers based on the assessment.
Assess patient and family needs, including educational and psychological needs, and incorporate them into care plans.
Evaluate patients’ home line-care routines and support optimal outcomes.
Analyze assessment data, establish care goals with measurable outcomes, implement care plans, and evaluate responses to interventions.
Document care in accordance with Institute and regulatory requirements.
Administer medications relevant to venous access care or imaging protocols and perform procedures safely and efficiently according to Institute policy.
Provide specialized care for protocol-drug patients in various settings when needed.
Educate patients and families about disease, treatment modalities, vein choice, vein preservation, and line care.
Recognize and respond appropriately to emergencies and maintain required life-support certification.
Identify community resources and make referrals to promote continuity of care.
Provide respectful, compassionate, confidential, and age-specific care to patients and families from diverse backgrounds.
Monitor the care environment for patient safety and regulatory compliance and follow applicable policies, procedures, work rules, and professional standards.
Contribute to unit, divisional, and Institute goals, systems, and work processes; participate in committees, councils, initiatives, and quality assurance and improvement projects.
Support research activities within the unit, Division of Nursing and Patient Care Services, and Institute.
Collaborate with peers and the multidisciplinary health care team, address conflicts, delegate appropriately, and supervise assistive personnel.
Function in the charge nurse role when necessary and coordinate patient flow into infusion areas.
Pursue professional growth, attend educational events, share information with colleagues, mentor and precept new staff, and contribute to professional reports, articles, and presentations.