Registered Nurse - Hematology / Oncology

The Durham VA Healthcare System is seeking (1) highly skilled / experienced Registered Nurse to serve within Hematology / Oncology Services. Demonstrates leadership, experience / ingenious approaches to management of complex patient care. Accountable for the management of patient care, human, fiscal / material resources, & the total environment of the unit. Responsible to ensure that the highest possible quality of care is achieved & a safe therapeutic environment.

The Veteran Oncology patients are treated with chemotherapy and non-chemotherapy regimens such as (port flushes, Blood products, IV fluids, Zometa injections, etc.). The setting is located at the Durham VAMC Main Campus.

The Registered Nurse working in this position will be entering a groundbreaking home-based care program. In the first phase of this program, Veteran oncology patients will receive non-chemotherapy interventions such as hormone injections, port flushes, central line care, lab draws, vaccines, etc. The second phase will include chemotherapy infusions & injections.

The setting is located at the veteran's place of residency & the Durham VAMC Main Campus. This position will require driving daily utilizing a federally issued vehicle. The RN will evaluate & enroll patients in the program, monitor administration of chemotherapy & non-chemotherapy medications, educate patients on plan of care & effects of therapy, closely interact with interdisciplinary team to plan for patient care, & provide follow-up services for efficacy of the treatment module.

Delivers fundamental knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical skills. Assesses, plans, implements, & evaluates care based on age-specific components. Assumes responsibility for coordination of care focused on patient education, self management, & customer satisfaction throughout continuum of care. Administers medications & procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of interdisciplinary team.

The Oncology / Hematology Registered Nurse (RN) is a clinical expert who uses advanced specialized knowledge and judgement for delivery of high quality and evidence-based care to oncology patients and their families. Uses a team approach to identify, analyze, & resolve patient care problems with measurable outcomes. Responsible & accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and / or supervising direct patient care. Assesses, plans, implements, & evaluates care based on age specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self-management, & customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Administers medications & procedures per established policies & guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of interdisciplinary team. Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, & creative approaches to management of complex client care.

Duties include but not are not limited to :

• Completes basic physiological assessments & completes documentation in the electronic health record (EHR) in accordance to established policies & procedures.
• Triages patient problems & assists in the evaluation of symptoms & initiate interventions in collaboration with interdisciplinary team.
• Monitors, tracks / tends, & reports ongoing care needs & outcomes to the interdisciplinary team.
• Directs the provision of nursing education, orientation, competencies, & providing quality improvement & outcome utilization.
• Provides a safe working environment while administering, handling, & disposing of antineoplastic drugs & medical waste.
• Oversees the administration & management of various medical procedures & treatments in the oncology setting, including vascular access devices & infusion treatments.
• Conducts in-service education based on insights gained from oncology professional development activities & acquiring specialized skills in oncology-specific areas, including chemotherapy administration, oncology electronic ordering systems, & calculating drug dosages.
• Manages monitoring requirements for specific drugs, handling immediate infusion reactions, & preventing & managing oncology-related symptoms & adverse events, such as chemo-related symptoms & immune-related adverse events.
• Responsible for the documented outcomes at the program or service level.
• Focuses on individual growth & development in practice with increased levels of self-direction & seeks guidance on how to improve care to patients & families.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package : VA Nurse Total Rewards

Pay : Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards

Paid Time Off : 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)

Retirement : Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) & federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA

Insurance : Federal health / vision / dental / term life / long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

Licensure : 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory

Work Schedule : Monday-Friday; 7 : 30a.m. - 4 : 00 p.m. Tour subject to change based on the needs of the agency. (Will be required to travel)

Telework : No

Virtual : This is not a virtual position.

Relocation / Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report : Not required