Registered Nurse - Radiation Oncology

Overview Under the supervision of the Administrative Nurse or Charge Nurse, the Registered Nurse (RN) provides skilled and comprehensive nursing care to radiation oncology patients. The RN implements the nursing process, delivers direct patient care, and coordinates care with other members of the healthcare team. The RN also guides and supervises ancillary nursing staff and participates in orientation of new medical and technical personnel. Key Responsibilities Direct ambulatory triage of patient calls and lab results. Coordinate studies, specialty referrals, and notify providers of upcoming orders. Serve as the primary point of contact for patients and families, ensuring timely and efficient care. Coordinate coordination of care across disciplines and the care continuum. Assist with non‑operating-room anesthesia cases by cross‑training to provide direct patient care, including induction, recovery, and post‑anesthesia assessment. Assist anesthesia with pediatric and adult patient procedures and transport patients to and from imaging, treatment rooms, and other units. Support patients through complex interdisciplinary services, managing side effects and symptoms. Travel between all UCSF Radiation Oncology sites; primarily based at Mission Bay and/or Parnassus. Work flexible daytime hours (6:30 AM–6 PM) with varying start and end times, and occasional overnight shifts. Check advance directives, consent forms, and institutional review board approvals; ensure patient safety and radiation safety compliance. Document patient interactions and care plans in the electronic medical record, including EMR, Universal Protocol, and remote-access systems (Epic, Aria, Mosaiq). Participate in quality improvement initiatives, research projects, and unit-based protocols. Collaborate with physicians, nurses, and support staff to optimize patient outcomes and resource stewardship. Detailed Functional Categories Assessment Identify patients’ physiological and psychosocial status and implement care plans. Utilize diagnostic tests, lab values, reports, and medical records to assess current or potential problems. Obtain vital signs, weight, and monitor treatment visits; report abnormal findings to MD. Anticipate patient responses to treatment and assess appropriately. Planning Develop holistic health‑care plans based on medical condition, treatment goals, and psychosocial status. Anticipate potential physical and psychosocial problems to guide patient teaching and coordination of care. Incorporate family into the plan of care as appropriate. Coordinate planning with Cancer Center, SFGH, VA, and other facilities. Mentor staff to improve coordination of patient care. Implementation Provide oncology nursing care, education, and support to patients/families. Deliver patient care in accordance with UCSF standards, including IV therapy, oxygen therapy, contrast injection, pain management, and sedation. Assist with intra‑procedural anesthesia support, gamma‑knife patient care, and related documentation. Monitor clinical systems (tubes, drains, catheters) and manage surgical revisions, skin care, and nutrition teaching. Report concerns about patient status and coordinate care with interdisciplinary team. Assist physicians during diagnostic procedures, brachytherapy appliance insertion, and removal. Comply with safety, infection control, and emergency protocols; manage Code Blue and other emergencies. Direct and delegate tasks to Medical Assistants and administrative staff; act as Charge Nurse when necessary. Work at any UCSF Radiation Oncology site per departmental needs. Adapt to flexible schedules and occasional overtime. Assist patients in navigating the healthcare system and coordinating specialty practices. Advocacy / Patient Education Assess patient and family understanding of illness and radiation therapy. Educate and document patient teaching for ongoing care. Inform patients/families of available services within UCSF/MTZ and the community. Promote patient participation in planning and understanding of their care. Evaluate teaching effectiveness and revise care plans accordingly. Coordination / Communication Coordinate resources and communicate to minimize fragmentation of care. Serve as multidisciplinary contact point for patient studies and needs. Act as primary liaison for patient, family, and outside provider inquiries. Facilitate lab and study completion, obtain results, and notify providers. Supply clinical documentation to financial counselors for insurance authorization. Initiate referrals to ancillary services. Communicate lab results and medication changes to patients by phone. Document patient records, requisitions, and referrals using the electronic medical record. Assist in transportation of patients to and from units/facilities. Facilitate community health and social service referrals. Use communication standards such as AIDET, Living Pride, and medical center telephone guidelines. Respond to patient messages within required timeframes. Professionalism Stay informed about policy and procedure changes related to the role. Adhere to radiation safety standards and return badges on time. Treat all patients, visitors, and coworkers with courtesy and respect. Maintain flexibility with shifts, assignments, sites, and holidays. Protect confidentiality of patient and staff matters. Comply with UCSF nursing service and state licensure requirements. Support research projects and quality improvement initiatives. Participate in orientation of nursing, medical, and technical personnel. Create and deliver patient education materials and standardized protocols. Assist in creation of disease‑based standards in collaboration with physicians and department chair. Employ conflict resolution skills and engage in relevant committees and projects. Required Qualifications Three years of RN clinical experience in acute care, TCU, or critical care within the last five years. One year of oncology experience within the last five years. Experience in radiation oncology. Active Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the State of California. Active American Heart Association CPR certification. PALS certification. ACLS certification within six months of hire. PACU or circulator/scrub experience in a procedural area. Proficiency in pediatric and adult recovery. Proficiency in clinical telephone triage. Excellent proficiency with starting IVs. Experience accessing and caring directly for central access devices. Proficiency in placing and maintaining pediatric peripheral IV access. Organizational skills to accept full responsibility for a defined area and patient caseload. Ability to work effectively with physicians and other support staff. Ability to handle issues related to death and dying. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and professional conduct. Basic computer skills (email, internet, Windows) and ability to learn systems such as EPIC, Aria, and other clinical tools. Excellent organizational skills with ability to prioritize workload. Demonstrated clinical competence, including teaching, leadership, and communication skills. Flexibility to orient and work at all UCSF Health locations. Preferred Qualifications BSN degree. Experience working with cancer patients in hospital, procedural, and ambulatory care settings. Experience accessing ports. MS in Nursing with a focus on nursing practice or leadership. CPHON certification. Experience with Aria or Mosaiq. Care coordination experience. License / Certifications (Required) Active Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the State of California. Active American Heart Association CPR certification. PALS certification. ACLS certification within six months of hire. #J-18808-Ljbffr University of California - San Francisco