(CNS) Clinical Nurse Specialist, Oncology

(CNS) Clinical Nurse Specialist, Oncology

The Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist is an advanced practice registered nurse who provides expert clinical leadership to improve outcomes for patients with cancer across the continuum of care. The CNS promotes safe, evidence-based administration of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and other oncology treatments through clinical guidance, staff education, and practice standardization. This role partners with nursing, physicians, pharmacy, and interdisciplinary teams to support complex patient care, enhance oncology nursing practice, and lead quality and safety initiatives that improve patient outcomes and experience.

In collaboration with leadership, this position will review and ensure that nursing practice within multiple modalities, including infusion, care coordination (clinic), and radiation therapy, is evidence-based and aligned with all national quality and regulatory guidelines. This position requires a dynamic clinical leader with exceptional written and verbal communication skills in guiding nursing research and professional development through the career ladder and other opportunities at UCSD and nationally.

The CNS will collaborate with the Nurse Educator to assess knowledge and competence opportunities for improvement within all modalities, coaching and encouraging continuous performance improvement and learning within teams. This position will also collaborate with unit-based councils to identify, plan and implement strategies to improve patient and staff safety and experience.

This is the journey-level classification for an Advanced Practice Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Master's Degree in Nursing (MSN).
• Registered Nurse (RN) license issued by the state of California.
• Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist required or completion of the program within six (6) months of hire.
• BART or BLS at time of hire with commitment to get BART within 6 months of hire date.
• Five (5+) or more years of relevant Oncology or Outpatient Oncology experience in cancer services(radiation oncology, infusion, clinics, etc.), including diagnoses, treatments, standards of practice and patient / family educational consulting and resources.
• Recent Oncology or specialty care experience reflective of advanced nursing clinical knowledge and skills.
• Advanced knowledge of methodology for conducting evidence-based research, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills to assess highly-complex issues and develop multiple options for resolution.
• Advanced interpersonal skills, with the ability to provide education, training, and direction to nursing staff, and to develop positive working relationships with patients, families, employees, and outside agencies as required.
• Advanced skills in written and verbal communications, with the ability to convey complex and/or sensitive information in a clear and concise manner.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three (3+) or more years of experience in a CNS role.
• Current ANCC CNS certification or current professional certification in another advanced nurse practice discipline.
• Experience with electronic health records.
• Experience with learning management system.
• Project management/Lean Six Sigma certification or experience.
• Experience with training, onboarding, and educational programs within the oncology specialty.
• Experience with metrics and KPIs and performance improvement initiatives.

Special Conditions

• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.
• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.