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Lead Infusion Nurse (RN) Medical Oncology is a registered nurse who specializes in administering medications, therapies, and fluids through peripheral intravenous lines, PICCs, central venous catheters, or venous access ports in the Medical Oncology Clinic and Infusion Center. They are essential to the coordination of care and facilitate the healthcare team and healthcare providers to ensure the infusion devices and treatments are appropriate for the patient’s needs. In addition to the Infusion Nurse duties annotated in the basic function below and in Section V of this document, the Lead Infusion Nurse (RN) works directly with the Director Oncology Services, providers and Nurse Navigators to facilitate and provide direction and guidance for the day-to-day operations of the medical oncology infusion center.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION

Infusion Nurse (RN) Medical Oncology:

+ Works collaboratively across disciplines to assess, plan and treat patients with a variety of medical, physical, mental and emotional conditions, including making referrals as needed.

+ Educates and coordinates care regarding the patient's diagnosis, treatment options, course of treatment, clinical trial information and resources available, including, when appropriate chairside chemotherapy teaches

+ Works with a health care team to ensure safe handoff, coordination of care between facilities, as well as inpatient to outpatient or outpatient to inpatient coordination of care.

+ Accurately and efficiently document care and treatment in the medical record

+ Perform vital statistics

+ Demonstrate proficiency in the insertion of peripheral and central venous devices

+ Administer chemotherapy and immunotherapy agents and pre-medications

+ Assess lab results and vital signs, receive critical test results and follow hospital policies on reporting to providers.

+ Collaborates with the infusion center to coordinate other infusions, such as blood product transfusions.

+ Complete patient intake for the clinic and infusion center and document accordingly

+ Provide patient education on disease process, treatment, assists with wig-fitting, scalp cooling, and discharge/post-treatment education and follow-up

+ Patient tracking for oral chemo, implanted port maintenance and any other follow-up needs

+ Monitor and evaluate patients throughout infusion and follow-up treatment calls.

+ Complete treatment plans

+ Phone triage

+ Manages tasks in the OncoEMR system and addresses tasks in a timely manner and appropriately

+ Participate in clinical research

+ Understands and adheres to Oncology Nursing Society and Infusion Nursing Society guidelines and standards for nursing practice

+ Adheres to institutional policies and procedures related to:

+ Mandatory education and competency assessment

+ Annual health assessment

+ Licensure verification

+ Certification requirements

+ Chain of Command and Escalation policies

+ Communicates clearly, provides feedback and listens effectively; enables and builds bridges to ensure job and customer satisfaction; is objective and follows the tenants of a Just Culture and High Reliability.

+ Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Additional Duties, Lead Infusion Nurse (RN) Medical Oncology:

+ Facilitates patient preparation for infusion, initial, subsequent and maintenance treatments through collaboration with providers, nurse navigators, other allied professionals (i.e Home Infusion Therapy, Radiation Therapy, etc.) and coordinates treatment schedule with consideration of volumes, acuity and complexity of treatment regimens and staff schedules

+ Ensures patient charts are prepped appropriately for upcoming treatments to confirm appropriate treatments are ordered, authorizations are obtained, patient education has been completed, and any necessary pretreatment testing is completed and provider follow-up appointments are scheduled as needed and as appropriate

+ Creates the assignment for treatment based on patient volumes, complexity and acuity of treatments, patient needs and preferences to account for patient safety. Adjusts the treatment schedule as needed in collaboration with providers based on several factors including patient safety, capacity, and acuity.

+ Monitors schedule for adding new treatments to the schedule and coordinate directly with the nurse navigator in scheduling treatments an accordance with patients' readiness for treatment and treatment schedule.

+ Coordinates in real-time, add-on appointments based on patient needs

+ Facilitates the scheduling of all other non-chemotherapy/non-immunotherapy treatment regimens (i.e bisphosphonates, iron infusions) to ensure appropriate treatments ordered, authorizations are obtained, consents are completed, and any necessary pretreatment testing is complete

+ Works directly with the practice director to ensure patient safety, a fair and equitable treatment schedule based on patient acuity, complexity of therapy regimens, patient and department needs.

+ Combines clinical duties with daily operational duties, including supervising processes of the infusion center, delegating tasks, coordination of patient care and patient safety, and serves as a liaison between clinical staff and practice leadership.

The Infusion Nurse (RN) Medical Oncology in the Medical Oncology Clinic and Infusion Center manages a highly acute patient caseload and cares for patients by diagnosing and treating their responses to actual or potential health problems in the practice setting through implementation of the nursing process. Levels of acuity in the outpatient oncology center are impacted by patient's condition, complexity of medications administered, neoadjuvant treatments, additional tests and treatments required and addressing psychosocial and emotional needs. Administering care and treatments and coordinating care, the Lead Infusion Nurse (RN) Medical Oncology delegates tasks to other staff members, supervises care and evaluates results. The nurse maintains competence in clinical practice and assists in the development of nursing practice standards through participation in professional committees and professional organizations. The Lead Infusion Nurse (RN) Medical Oncology demonstrates expertise in specialized IV therapy activities, including, but not limited to insertion of peripheral devices, access of central venous catheters and administration of chemotherapy and immunotherapy agents. The Lead Infusion Nurse (RN) Medical Oncology plans and provides nursing interventions for individuals with cancer and cancer-related health care problems; treating human responses to actual or potential health problems through such services as patient care, health teaching, and health counseling. The nurse executes medical regimens prescribed by a physician or other licensed health care provider authorized by the state of New York.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Graduate of accredited RN program. Current licensure and registration in NYS with a Bachelors’ degree preferred.

Experience: Minimum of two years’ experience in medical/surgical nursing with IV therapy experience and Oncology experience preferred.

Certification: Basic Life Support, ONS/ONCC Oncology Nurse Certification and ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Certified preferred with completion of Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Certification through ONS or Roswell Park within 1.5 years.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The position is located indoors under normal working conditions. Should be able to push/pull 25 lb., lift/move 15 lb. from floor to table, be able to perform moderately difficult manual manipulations such as using a key board, writing and filing, must be able to perform tasks which require hand-eye coordination such as data entry, typing and using photo copiers. Mobility requirements may include the ability to sit at a computer terminal or work station for a prolonged period of time in addition to being able to squat, stand and walk for a reasonable length of time and distance. Sensory requirements include the ability to articulate and comprehend the spoken English language in addition to being able to read the English language.

Ellis Medicine is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex/gender, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, military or veteran status, prior arrest, or conviction record, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, reproductive health decisions, or domestic violence victim status.

Salary Range: $ 44.19-$66.28 /hour Pay is based on experience, skills, and education. Exempt positions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) will be paid within the base salary equivalent of the stated hourly rates. The pay range may also vary within the state.