Registered Nurse RN- Medical Oncology

Medical Oncology Unit Nurse

The medical oncology unit will consist of patients with a cancer diagnosis, medical step-down patients, and general medical overflow. This position has basic knowledge of pathophysiology of cancer and is able to assess, plan, implement and evaluate care for patients on this unit.

Employees who are in the casual position are required to pick up shifts as outlined in the Midland Nursing Casual Employee Policy.

Responsibilities:

(30%)* Regularly assesses patients/clients needs and provides skilled nursing services as prescribed by the physician authorized plan of care, and accepted standards of nursing practice.

(30%)* Provides direct patient care, including nursing assessment, medication administration, treatments, call lights, assisting with transfers, responding to alarms, etc.

(20%)* Evaluates effectiveness of treatment plan and patients' condition to make suggestions and participate in updating/revising the treatment plan in collaboration with other team members, utilizing current information and assessments to improve patient care.

(10%)* Processes physician/provider orders and performs physician ordered care accurately, completely and in a timely manner.

(10%)* Follows up regarding medication changes and order clarifications.

Other duties and responsibilities:

Demonstrates the ability to interpret information and reports pertinent data to the physician, including pertinent clinical information.

Assess learning needs considering readiness, ability, preferences, and cultural / spiritual variables.

Provide education to meet the individual needs and ability to learn.

Participates in care conferences as assigned.

Develops and maintains good working rapport with interdisciplinary personnel to meet the needs of each patient.

Coordinates care provided by patient care technicians.

Demonstrates the ability to organize and prioritize the needs of groups of patients or an individual patient.

Demonstrates a general ability to manage assignments and perform routine duties on the unit.

Instructs other team members when appropriate, explaining goals and rationale for individualized care.

Implements clinical and technical aspects of care in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Demonstrates understanding of clinical pathways and utilizes appropriately.

Remains calm and efficient when working in stressful situations.

Documents in an accurate, clear, and concise way and includes pertinent clinical data.

Shares information and reports significant changes and/or abnormal findings to appropriate team members.

Participates in regulatory surveys.

Participates in the performance improvement activities.

Assists with orientation and ongoing competencies.

Provides a safe and secure environment for patient care.

Attend and participate in professional association activities and programs to assure being current on regulations, guidelines, and professional standards.

Remains current on new developments by reading professional journals, and attending seminars.

Demonstrates understanding of role in emergency preparedness procedures

Administers cardiac drips and chemotherapy per provider orders.

Assesses patient for signs or symptoms of complications of cancer or treatment protocols.

Accurately uses central lines for drawing blood, administering chemotherapy, etc.

Interacts positively with patients and families during severe stress situations.

Demonstrates critical thinking and integration of theory to practice for medical patients, oncology patients, medical step-down, and telemetry patients.

Participates in Transition of Care course for first 12 months after hire or transfer to position.

Monitors and initiates the need to institute safety measures to prevent patient injury.

Other duties as assigned.

Certifications and Licensures:

Credential: RN: Registered Nurse

Equivalent Experience:

Qualification Source: MI

Essential: true

Credential: BLS: Basic Life Support

Equivalent Experience: Within 3 months of hire or transfer.

Qualification Source: AHA

Essential: true

Credential: DIMC: Dysrhythmia Interpretation Man

Equivalent Experience: Employees hired after January 1, 2025, are required to take, and pass Telemetry Monitoring and management class (DIMC) within 12 months of hire or transfer.

Qualification Source:

Essential: true

Credential: ACLS: Advanced Cardiac Life Support

Equivalent Experience: Within 6 months of hire or transfer (Employees who are in this position on or before 12/31/2023 will have 24 months to complete this certification).

Qualification Source: AHA

Essential: true

Credential: TEAM ADVANCED: Techniques for Effective Aggression Mgt

Equivalent Experience: Within 6 months of hire or transfer (Employees who are in this position on or before 12/31/2023 will have 24 months to complete this certification)

Qualification Source:

Essential: true

Credential: ONS BIOCRT: ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy Bio Cert

Equivalent Experience: Required within 12 months of hire or transfer into positions. Must be renewed every 24 months.

Qualification Source:

Essential: true

Required Education:

Education: ASSOC

Equivalent Experience: Bachelor's degree in nursing preferred.

Education Specialization: NRG

Essential: true

Other Information:

The following education outline is intended for new hires or transfers who are new to Oncology Nursing. Any new hire or transfer who has already received their ONS Chemo / Bio safe handling card and/or their OCN certification is exempt from completing Cancer Basics or Chemotherapy Fundamentals.

Chemotherapy education pathway:

Full time & Part time RN

Pass ONS Cancer Basics course within 6 months.

Pass ONS Chemotherapy/ Biotherapy Fundamentals of Administration course within 12 months.

Maintain ONS Chemotherapy/ Biotherapy Fundamentals of Administration or ONS Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Certificate course (if applicable) per ONS recommendations.

Additional components of demonstrating competency for all nurses administering antineoplastic agents include:

Demonstration of safety and proficiency in the preparation, administration, handling, and disposal of antineoplastic agents as defined in the ONS Chemotherapy/ Biotherapy Fundamentals of Administration course and or the ONS Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Certificate course.

Demonstration of compliance with policy for management of chemotherapy spills and extravasation.

Demonstration of skill in compliance with the health system's policy for accessing, dressing, and flushing a variety of vascular access devices including Hohn, PICCs, Groshong, Hickman, and implanted medports.

Demonstration of skills in the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of the oncology patient and family's learning needs.

Interpersonal skills needed to communicate successfully with individuals and groups and interact with people at all levels to communicate ideas and concepts in a clear and understandable manner.

MyMichigan Health is a technology driven organization and employees need to demonstrate competency in Microsoft Windows. An employee may be required to participate in further learning opportunities offered by MyMichigan Health.

Physical/Mental Requirements and Typical Working Conditions:

Exposure to stressful situations, including those involving public contact, as well as, trauma, grief and death.

Able to wear personal protective equipment that includes latex materials or appropriate substitute if required for your position.

Is able to move freely about facility with or without an assisted device and must be able to perform the functions of the job as outlined in the job description.

Overall vision and hearing is necessary with or without assisted device(s).

Frequently required to sit/stand/walk for long periods of time. May require frequent postural changes such as stooping, kneeling or crouching.

Some exposure to blood borne pathogens and other potentially infectious material. Must follow MyMichigan Health bloodborne pathogen and TB testing as required.

Ability to handle multiple tasks, get along with others, work independently, regular and predictable attendance and ability to stay awake.

Overall dexterity is required including handling, reaching, grasping, fingering and feeling. May require repetition of these movements on a regular to frequent basis.