Registered Nurse - Oncology / Hematology / Infusion

Full Job Description

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans.

How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans? Basic Requirements: English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C.

7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.

Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program.

Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program.

(Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6); OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program.

Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD).

Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia.

Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification.

Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade.

The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12902816.

Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies.

An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required.

Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex.

An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required.

Nurse I, Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations.

An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience.

Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others.

A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience.

Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting.

MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III.

*Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Preferred Experience: Two or more years of recent RN experience in hematology, oncology, outpatient infusion, or specialty infusion settings Experience administering chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapies, blood products, and supportive oncology treatments Experience providing non-oncology infusion therapies such as biologics, immunoglobulins, iron infusions, antibiotics, hydration, or other specialty medications Demonstrated skill in accessing and managing central venous access devices including implanted ports, PICC lines, and central venous catheters Ability to assess patients before, during, and after infusions and recognize and respond to infusion reactions or treatment-related complications Experience providing patient education related to infusion therapies, treatment plans, and symptom management Ability to coordinate care with interdisciplinary teams including providers, pharmacists, and nursing staff in a high-volume outpatient setting Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Chemotherapy/Biotherapy certification preferred or willingness to obtain within a designated timeframe Major Duties:

The Registered Nurse (RN) Oncology / Hematology / Infusion possesses foundational expertise, demonstrating introductory proficiency in delivering both direct and indirect nursing care to oncology patients and their families.

They collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to achieve desired patient outcomes.

Completes basic physiological assessments and completes documentation in the electronic health record (EHR) in accordance to established policies and procedures.

Monitors, tracks/tends, and reports ongoing care needs and outcomes to the interdisciplinary team. Seeks guidance on how to improve care provided to patients and families.

They provide a safe working environment while administering, handling, and disposing of antineoplastic drugs and medical waste.

The focus is on individual growth and development in practice with increased levels of self-direction. They seek guidance on how to improve care to patients and families.

Will develop a knowledge base of oncology/hematology diseases and treatments. Will be able to recognize oncologic and hematologic emergencies.

Will be able to independently initiate intravenous and central line access.

They will strive toward achieving adequate oncology service hours needed to obtain the ONS chemotherapy-biotherapy certification.

Duties include but not limited to: Work in unison with the staff and provider's in promoting patient centered culture that assures that quality health care services are provided to the veterans promptly, safely, courteously, and compassionately and that their significantly others and/or caregivers are appropriately involved.

Is integrally involved in activities, goals, and functionality of the Specialty Care Team. Is professionally collaborative with their peers throughout the Primary Care and Specialty Care Clinics.

Triages and assesses walk-in patients as necessary. Triages and provides appropriate services to patients who telephone and/or utilize secure messaging for health concerns.

Provides timely follow-up on any patient complaints/concerns coordinating with providers. Participates in quality improvement program activities, clinic specific data collection, and committees.

Works in partnership with providers to enhance chronic disease management for a variety of disease processes.

Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members and peers to ensure needs of veterans is met.

Able to recognize and document signs of deteriorating health in addition to alerting emergency response team.

Work with the Hematology Oncology Nurse Navigators and Medical Support Assistants (MSA) to provide coordination of appointments and scheduling.

Responsible for collaborating with services internal and external to the VA to facilitate care coordination in order to effectively meet the needs of the patient.

Achieves/ Maintain Oncology Nurse Society (ONS) Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Certificate. Administer Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy (including monoclonal antibodies), and blood products.

Initiates intravenous access, performs lab draws via port access Provide patient/family/caregiver education and information to the patients receiving care and treatment. Other duties as assigned.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Telework: Not authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.

Physical Requirements: The population of male and female Veterans served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over.

This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity.

This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required.

The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures.

The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.

The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs.