Registered Nurse - Oncology Clinic (Close To Me)

Summary

What is the Close to Me (CTM) Infusion Program?

Infusion medications, medications that are often given through the vein (intravenous), require skilled personnel and equipment that is typically limited to large medical centers. The CTM program allows Veterans to receive infusion therapy medications closer to home, by making these medications available at community based VA Clinic locations, with the support of highly specialized VA staff.

Orientation will occur at Seattle campus.

Duties

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Duties include, but not limited to :

• Identifies appropriate patients for CTM service; confirms with provider that Veteran can participate in CTM.
• Communicates with Veteran about treatment availability at medical facilities and CBOCs.
• Participates in CTM collaboration meetings with the multidisciplinary team.
• Verifies labs and provider pre-clearance appointment were completed. Review lab results and their implications
• Verifies orders were entered for treatment with pharmacy.
• Completes pre-clearance call with Veteran.
• Assesses patient's learning needs, learning preference and readiness to learn.
• Educates patients about their disease, treatments and expected side effects.
• Manages IV access with central lines, ports, and peripheral IVs. IV team support may not be available every day.
• Administers chemotherapy, immunotherapy, IV fluids, IV electrolytes, and blood products as ordered and assesses patients during their treatments.
• Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of the expected side effects of cancer treatments.
• Recognizes abnormal signs and symptoms and / or changes in patients' condition and responds appropriately.
• Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing direct patient care : assess, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate care based on age-specific components.
• Assume responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient transition through the continuum of care, patient and family education, and patient self-management.
• Responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice and determines the appropriate delegation of tasks consistent with the nurse's obligation to provide optimal care (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses).
• Documentation is consistent, accurate, concise, and timely.
• Uses the computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) per policy, as well as any future patient documentation programs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

RN Back-Up / Support Plan : If there are sick calls or inadequate staffing to support CTM at American Lake on a given shift, then the patient's treatment may be rescheduled or possibly relocated to the Seattle VA Medical Center. The CTM nurse may be assigned to work out of the Seattle campus until staffing levels allow patient care to resume at American Lake.

Orientation will occur at Seattle campus.

Occasional travel from Tacoma to Seattle is required.

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) and 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 : 7 : 30 am -4 : 00 pm, compressed tours available

Telework : Not available

Virtual : This is not a virtual position.

Relocation / Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Qualifications

Basic Requirements :

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 :

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

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

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

Preferred Experience :

Reference : For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

Physical Requirements : Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; Straight pulling (6 hours); Pushing (2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers : Both hands required; Walking (6 hours); Standing (2 hours); Repeated bending (6 hours); Both legs required, ability to distinguish basic colors, hear (aid may be permitted),Visual Acuity 20 / 30 corrected.

Environmental Factors : Working with hands in water; Working closely with others.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration / Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA / OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.