Level II Registered Nurse (RN) - Pediatric Hematology / Oncology
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center/UMHC
Miami, FL
5x8 hrs
Sign-On Bonus

Registered Nurse 2 - Pediatric Oncology

Location: Alex's Place Sylvester Cancer Center
Sign-on Bonus: Up to $25,000
Accountabilities (For Non-exempt Employees Include Percent of Effort):
Meets requirements of Clinical Trials Chemotherapy Nurse 50%
Works closely with the medical director and the pediatric nursing director. Administers research study agents, standard chemotherapy and biotherapy agents, and non-chemotherapy medications. Monitors therapeutic responses and side effects, and obtains pharmacokinetic blood samples and other laboratory specimens as required by each protocol. Assists in maintenance of up-to-date protocol information in clinical areas. Documents in a concise, accurate and legible manner according to each clinical protocol and clinical practice standards. Provides documentation to the Research Nurse/Nurse Coordinators, and/or Research Staff/Data Managers. Meets study timelines and objectives as defined by protocols. Abides by requirements in accordance with the Oncology Nursing Society’s Manual for Clinical Trials Nursing. Supports patients and their families during trial treatment. Works with research nurse and principal investigator to educate patients and their families about their treatment and protocol requirements. Follow policies and procedures for clinical trials. Functional knowledge about each protocol. Utilizes independent learning methods to become knowledgeable about new protocols and protocol changes. Attends and participates in regularly scheduled Phase 1 Clinical Research meetings as deemed necessary.
Nursing Process 50%
Assessment
Performs screenings, assessments and reassessments focusing on the physical and psychosocial health status that are age and developmentally appropriate, and culturally relevant to the pediatric patient in an ongoing timely and systematic manner. Obtains baseline information utilized for the development of individualized pediatric patient plan of care. Provides direct and indirect patient and family care according to the individualized plan of care. Facilitates/patient/family education with interdisciplinary team involvement. Education provided to the pediatric patient will be based on the developmental and cognitive level of the child. Monitors patient’s progress against plan of care until discharged from designated patient care area. Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to identify potential barriers and variances to the individualized plan of care.
Planning
Coordinates the plan of care with patients, family and interdisciplinary team, according to the appropriate growth and development of the child. Ensures the plan of care is accessible to the patient and family to assist them in understanding goals of care and movement toward these goals. Supports parents in allowing child to be independent appropriate to developmental level. Plans discharge and teaching needs as applicable. Promotes development of clinical practice based on research and evidence. Assists leadership team with maintenance of initial and ongoing unit-based clinical competencies.
Implementation
Ensures that each clinic is well prepared consisting of all supplies and medical records (print and electronic) are up to date with all pertinent tests received and ready to be reviewed by providers prior to the clinic. Ensures that physicians’ orders are carried out such as the ordering of laboratory tests, CT Scans, MRIs, etc. Ensures that all tests have been performed and received for the physician to review the findings. Develops a system that elevates any abnormal results (non-critical values) to the nurse who in turn will contact the physician accordingly. Ensures that the patients receive appropriate medical pre-op and sedation medical clearances. Renders direct patient care by performing follow-up visits that do not require direct physician involvement as per physician orders and within the scope of RN licensure. Renders direct patient care by assisting providers with patient care services. Acts as a liaison between patients, caregivers and community resources. Educates interdisciplinary team, patient/family on plan of care. Serves as a direct care provider, as appropriate, to ensure outcome obtainment. Documents concise, accurate and legible information, according to nursing policies and procedures and nursing standards. Provides patient/family teaching using available resources and tools, appropriate to the growth and development of the child. Reviews labs, outside reports, and slides and discusses them with the nurse practitioners and physicians. Coordinates home health care, social services as needed. Acts as consultant to clinical staff unfamiliar with pediatric procedures/treatments. Utilizes process of performance improvement. Promotes patient safety and provides additional safety measures appropriate to the growth and development of the child. Communicates changes in plan of care to the patient/family and the health care team members in a timely manner. Demonstrates creativity and innovation in approach to complex problem solving. Leads crisis management. Delegates’ aspects of care to qualified personnel. Administers IV contrast materials. Administers and/or monitors blood and blood products following hospital policy and procedures. Demonstrates the skills and judgment necessary to implement medical plan of care, nursing intervention and procedures as necessary for the care of the pediatric patient. Delivers sedation and analgesia according to hospital policy and procedure. Participates as assigned to hospital wide pediatric code blue team. Demonstrates knowledge of commonly used meds: action, dose, and side effects. Demonstrates knowledge of dose administration and appropriate safety checks required for the pediatric population. Observes five Rights for administering meds: right patient, right drug, right dose, right method, and right time Medication, Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Administration as per hospital policy and procedure.
Evaluation
Evaluates patient for expected outcomes after implementation of plan of care to assess for the attainment of goals. Readjusts plan of care based on evaluation of the patients’/families’ needs. Monitors outcomes of patients undergoing new procedures or interventions. Evaluates staff competencies and reports to leadership team. Participates in staff evaluations.
Professional Accountability
Consistently maintain complete confidentiality of all medical, financial, employee, computer and other sensitive materials, which may violate HIPAA regulations and/or jeopardize the privacy of others. Attends all mandatory in-services and meetings as needed. Acts as role model and maintain professional demeanor at all times. Develops and maintains clinical competency. Demonstrates professional independence in the practice of nursing. Consults internal experts when appropriate. Maintains documentation of the continuing education requirements. Maintains CPR and PALS provider card. Maintains certification.
Credentialed to administer all forms of anti-cancer therapy including but not limited to anti-neoplastic and biological (e.g. gene) therapies.
Maintains on-going evidence-based education related to the pediatric oncology population.
Maintains CITI certificate.
Able to assist in delivery/ recovery of sedation and analgesia to the pediatric population according to hospital policy and procedure. Attends all mandatory in-services as directed. Participates in professional organizations. Actively supports and participates in performance improvement activities. Seeks/accepts training to learn new skills and maintain current competencies. Maintains and completes Personnel Development Record as per policy. Maintains professional certifications/licensure in active status. Practices within the guidelines as set forth by the Florida Board of Nursing. Displays courtesy toward customers by introducing self and addressing customer by name. Meets customers’ expectation by listening to them, demonstrating sensitivity and awareness of others. Follows through to ensure that established expectations are satisfied; keeps customers informed of progress. Works effectively and cooperatively in groups/teams to ensure quality patient care. Communicates effective with manager and other members of the interdisciplinary team. Attempts to resolves patient/physicians and visitors complaints and refers unresolved issues to managers. Demonstrate dependability/reliability by promptly reporting to work when scheduled. Cross-trains to other nursing units and floats as necessary. Serves as mentor and role model. Supports and participates in the Hospital Wide Magnet Accreditation vision and process. Compliance with UM, Hospital and department policies and procedures Other duties as assigned, such as weekend infusion assignments.
Performs charge nurse role as appropriate.
This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.
Supervision Received:
Reports directly to Manager of the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Clinic and Infusion Center.
Supervision Exercised:
None.
Minimum Qualifications (Essential Requirements):
Graduate from an accredited school of nursing, BSN required.
Current/valid Florida nursing license. CPR, PALS and ACLS Provider Card.
1 year recent hematology-oncology nursing experience.
Strong interpersonal communication skills.
Proven track record of building relationships with physicians, direct reports and key staff.
Proven track record of ability to establish rapport and maintain relationships with pediatric patients and their families.
Moderate to advanced computer literacy and skills.
The University of Miami offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, tuition remission and more.