JOB SUMMARY
Position works under general supervision to assist the oncology patient, family and care giver to overcome healthcare barriers (including but not limited to social, financial, or physical barriers.) Responsible for conducting on-going assessments of need and facilitate referrals throughout the Oncology continuum of care. Using the nursing process and evidence-based knowledge, the Oncology RN provides education and resources to facilitate informed decision making by the patient and/or family.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Job Duties

• Assesses and documents physiological, psychological sociocultural, and spiritual health status of patient on admission utilizing age-specific considerations for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. Performs ongoing assessment of patient’s physiological health status throughout the care continuum. Communicates relevant health status data to other team members and departments.
• Interprets health status data to anticipate patient’s family, and physician’s needs and expectations. Develops appropriate plan of care for patient. Utilizes critical thinking skills in planning and prioritizing oncology-nursing care.
• Identifies and implements appropriate nursing interventions based on health status data. Completes accurate and timely documentation of these interventions. Collaborates with all members of health care team, sharing information and observations of patient and/or patient’s family in manner that contributes to optimal patient care.
• Evaluates implemented interventions and modifies care according to evaluation. Documents interventions and modifications to plan of care in accurate and timely manners. Prioritizes oncology nursing interventions per patient’s health status data, physician orders and guidance, and planned procedures as applicable.
• Adheres to appropriate hospital-based clinic policies, procedures, and standards of nursing practice while delivering oncology- nursing care.
• Provides appropriate and timely patient education to patient and/or patient’s family. Completes accurate and timely documentation of education provided. Demonstrates effective communication with children, adolescents, adults and older adults.
• Supervises, directs, and coordinates patient care assignments of other members of healthcare team. Delegates duties within legal parameters.
• Prepares for procedures, as appropriate, by obtaining supplies and equipment in timely manner. Handles and operates instruments, supplies, and equipment and performs safe nursing care in manner that is cost effective and supports the provision of quality care.
• Serves as technical subject matter person, resource person, and/or preceptor to nursing staff. Completes written clinical performance evaluation form in timely manners.
• Troubleshoots and resolves issues of counts and errors, patient care, relationships, equipment, supplies, and environment and/or escalates to leadership. Provides and supports efforts to develop and maintain team environment.
• Duties performed may include one or more of the following core functions:
  a) Directly interacting with or caring for patients;
  b) Directly interacting with or caring for human-subjects research participants;
  c) Regularly maintaining, modifying, releasing or similarly affecting patient records (including patient financial records); or
  d) Regularly maintaining, modifying, releasing or similarly affecting human-subjects research records.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Required

• Education
  Graduate of an approved/accredited nursing program either by a governmental authority, nursing board, or by a licensing authority that has jurisdiction over approval/accreditation of nursing programs (Texas BON 217.1) and

• Experience
  1 year ONC Nursing experience

• Licenses and Certifications
  Current Texas (or BNE Compact State) nursing license and
  (BLS) BASIC LIFE SUPPORT Certification course accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC)

Preferred

• Education/Experience
  BSN, BMT or Infusion and knowledge of all 3 blood cancers

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Work requires ability to complete most assignments with substantial independence.
• Work requires ability to maintain current customer service, nursing, and technical skills by attending training programs and seminars to continue level of competency and ensure compliance with departmental policies and procedures.
• Work requires ability to read, write, and perform mathematical calculations.
• Work requires frequent contact with physicians, residents, fellows, allied health personnel, and other medical and/or non-medical office support personnel to coordinate necessary information to provide optimal level of patient care.
• Work requires good verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to read, write and communicate in English.
• Work requires proficiency in the use of computer technology.
• Work requires telephone contact with patients, referring physicians, and pharmaceutical representatives outside of UT Southwestern, vendors, and third-party payees
• Work requires use of considerable judgment in application of procedures, nursing assessment techniques, practices and policies to work problems, organization, and administration of hospital activities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS

• Physical Demands
  Bending/Leaning Over
  Lifting
  Pulling
  Pushing
  Standing
  Stooping
  Walking

• Working Conditions
  Clinical Setting
  Hospital Setting

Security

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.

EEO Statement

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.