STAFF NURSE - CHEMOTHERAPY at Aultman Health Foundation – CANTON, Ohio

NURSING SUMMARY/ PURPOSE OF POSITION

The Aultman Registered Nurse (RN) is a professional nurse that provides direct, primary nursing care to patients/residents. The RN delegates and coordinates patient care, based upon a documented assessment of the patient’s/resident’s needs. The RN supervises the care provided by individuals such as licensed practical nurses, patient care technicians/state tested nursing assistants/nurse aides, medical assistants, and etc., if applicable.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing; BSN preferred.
• Current, active licensure as a Registered Nurse through the Ohio Board of Nursing.
• Maintain current, active BLS certification through the American Heart Association.
• Certification preferred for RNs meeting applicable certification eligibility requirements.
• Membership in professional nursing organization preferred.

RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS – colleague must be able to perform the essential functions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• RN applies the nursing process of assessment, planning interventions, accurately implements and/or delegates patient care, evaluates that care, and accurately communicates patient information in a timely manner.
• RN is a patient/resident advocate in conjunction with the other members of the healthcare team and fosters patient safety, comfort, and satisfaction.
• Attains knowledge and competency that reflects current nursing practice.
• Demonstrates quality and effectiveness of nursing practice.
• Adhere to professional standards and guidelines, including ethical actions, relevant statutes, rules, and regulations, during nursing practice.
• Collaborates with patient, family, and others in the conduct of nursing practice.
• Exhibits High Reliability Organization (HRO) tools and tones.
• Provides leadership in the professional practice setting and contributes to the professional development of peers, colleagues, and students.
• Integrates research findings into practice.
• Responsible for timely review of emails, department communications and applicable learning assignments and completion as applicable.

SKILLS

• Proficient computer skills to complete tasks as required.
• Must be organized, able to effectively prioritize tasks and exhibit appropriate time management skills.
• Must be detail oriented while focusing on safe practices and quality care.
• Demonstrates effective communication.
• Effective appropriate and professional interactions with colleagues/physicians, patients and visitors.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Meal and break times are coordinated with other staff members to maintain adequate coverage.
• Shifts are scheduled or changed due to the staffing needs of the unit/department based upon volume and acuity.
• Work weekends and holidays as assigned or as applicable based on department needs.
• Cross training depending upon department needs.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. AultCare is an EEO/AA Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.

AultCare/AHF will provide reasonable accommodations to employees or applicants with disabilities, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, who are otherwise qualified to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without accommodation, unless such accommodation would constitute an undue hardship on AultCare/AHF or poses a direct threat to the health and safety of the individual or others that cannot be sufficiently mitigated by reasonable accommodation. Any applicant or employee who requires an accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment should notify the AultCare/AHF Human Resource Department and request such an accommodation.

Entity/Department/Position Specific Addendum

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

The Infusion Therapy Center is in the Timken Family Cancer Center on the main campus. The unit operates Monday through Friday 7A-5:30P, Saturday 7:30A-4P and Sundays/ Holidays as needed. The hours of operation are subject to change to meet the needs of the patients served by the department. The unit consists of 44 treatment areas containing a mix of private and community infusion suites. The focus is on patients requiring chemotherapy and/or other medication administration, blood product administration, and/or central line care. Many of the patients carry an oncological or hematological diagnosis, but patient admission is not limited to these types of patients.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

PURPOSE: To identify specific functions job requirements and work environment factors that could affect job performance.

HAZARDOUS EXPOSURE CATEGORY – Category III

Qualifications

• Chemotherapy education and administration training to be completed within 3 months of hire.
• Oncology Certification preferred for RNs meeting applicable certification eligibility requirements. Pursue Oncology Certification once certification eligibility requirements are met to fulfill Commission on Cancer standard.

Responsibilities & Expectations

• Documents patient assessment and intervention data using established medical record forms/automated systems and documentation practices. Nursing assessment and intervention, patient education, and the administration of any medication or chemotherapy is documented in the electronic health record.
• Administers chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hydration, and other medications under the direction and supervision of a physician and within the scope of nursing. Follows guidelines for the safe administration and handling of hazardous drugs.
• Assesses patients for changes in condition or drug reactions and initiates appropriate emergency resuscitation during infusions.
• Facilitates dose modifications with chemotherapy regimen in consultation with the physician related to symptom management and lab test results.

Skills

• Competent in establishing peripheral IV lines and central venous access including Mediports, PICC lines, Midlines, and Hickman catheters. Flushes access devices and changes dressings to sites per protocol. Able to troubleshoot issues with devices as needed. Safely removes PICC lines at the completion of entire treatment.
• Administers blood and platelet transfusions as ordered provider.

Working Conditions

• Work eight to ten hours a day.
• Day shifts with stagger start times are variable to volume of department.
• RNs scheduled to close will stay until the last patient leaves for the day.
• Work weekends and holidays as assigned. Approximately every tenth weekend and 1 holiday every other year, may fluctuate to meet the demands of the department.
• Lunch periods and breaks are coordinated with other staff members to maintain adequate floor coverage.
• Cross-training to all areas in the department is required, including but not limited to, administration of chemotherapy.