Registered Nurse (RN) - Infusion
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
Park Ridge, IL
Days

Registered Nurse Infusion-Out Patient

Cancer Care Center

Sherman Hospital

Full Time Days

Job Summary:

Provides and coordinates nursing care in collaboration with the health team for patients requiring specialty services (i.e.oncology, rheumatology, infusion services).  This includes the assessment of patient and caregiver(s); coordination of care; evaluation of clinical outcomes; working with interdisciplinary teams; and assistance in program development including system processes to provide cost-effective quality care.

Major Responsibilities:

Utilizing the nursing process, provides ongoing care according to the age specific and specialty specific care needs of the patient.  Assesses educational needs and provides teaching and counseling to the patient and their family.  Integrates health promotion and preventive aspects of care.  Integrates symptom assessment and management according to the treatment plan. Assesses social determinants of health that could impact care and coordinates care to the appropriate resources (e.g. navigation, SW).  Assumes primary responsibility for caseloads consisting of patients in specialty area.

Anticipates and recognizes changes in a patient's status and need for care.  Determines priorities of patient care based on patient needs and in alignment with the treatment plan.  Provides ongoing assessment of patient's response to services and applies interventions as appropriate.  Updates and revises care plan as needed.  Communicates with physicians and other providers to confirm, correlate, and update patient's plan of care.  Provides status update to physician/provider on a regular basis.  Coordinates care in alignment with specialty care of the patient, e.g. coordination of oral chemotherapy plan in an oncology setting.

Administers medications if assigned to infusion center setting, including chemotherapy, biologic therapies, antibiotics and other intravenous medications.  Performs central venous access device management according to policy.  Performs transfusion of blood products, therapeutic phlebotomy per guidelines and policies.

Provides telephone consultation/triage and care coordination to patient, family, and/or significant others according to protocol and policies.

Maintains and updates accurate clinical and patient records according to system policies and state, and federal guidelines.

Assists in development and implementation of staff orientation and educational activities.

Follows published policies and procedures and regularly monitors changes or additions to them.

Takes ownership of one’s professional development in the specialty.  Continually strives to advance knowledge and practice of clinical skills in specialty area including certification as warranted.  Attends or coordinates department and/or site level shared governance activities, journal clubs, Grand Rounds.  Shares acquired knowledge with leaders and team members to continue to elevate quality of care in alignment with current clinical and industry standards.

Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

Licensure, Registration and/or Certification Required:

Registered Nurse license issued by the state in which the team member practices; Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 6 months.

ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy Provide Card/Certificate within 30 days of hire. (preferred upon hire).

OCN (Oncology Certified Nurse) preferred for oncology departments; CRNI (Certified Registered Nurse Infusion) for non-chemotherapy infusion settings.

Education Required:

Associate's Degree in Nursing required, BSN Preferred.

Experience Required:

Typically requires 2 years of experience in a clinical setting that includes experiences in specialty.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

Ability to work independently and make sound judgments.

Exceptional organization and communication skills (oral and written).  Exceptional customer service skills.

Ability to multi-task with frequent interruptions.

Ability to work with diverse patient populations.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

May be exposed to cytotoxic and hazardous waste as well as blood and body fluids and communicable disease.  Therefore, protective clothing and equipment must be worn as necessary. 

Must sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, twist, crawl, kneel, climb, and reach above shoulders throughout the workday.

Must be able to:
lift up to 50 lbs from floor to waist.
lift up to 20 lbs over the head.
carry up to 40 lbs a reasonable distance.
push/pull with 30 lbs of force.
perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs with a second person present.

Must have functional speech, vision, hearing, and touch with ability to use fine hand manipulation skills for IV insertion and other procedures/functions. 

Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.