This position provides specialist nursing advice and support to patients, their families and other healthcare professionals following diagnosis and through all stages of treatment.  The incumbent is responsible for providing Medical Oncology and other infusion treatments and education regarding these treatments to patients with cancer, ensuring continuity of evidence based nursing care for patients undergoing chemotherapy, assessing health, health related and nursing needs of patients, their families and other caregivers by identifying and initiating appropriate steps for effective care.

 ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Assesses and evaluates patients with acute and chronic problems related to cancer and cancer therapies according to standardized nursing procedures.
2. Provides direct patient care to oncology and hematology patients receiving outpatient infusion and other therapies, as required by caseload and staffing needs.
3. Manages a select caseload of patients receiving chemotherapy/biotherapy/supportive care on an outpatient basis.
4. Demonstrates knowledge and skills in intravenous access, the management of central venous catheters, venipuncture, and chemotherapy delivery, including the management of anaphylaxis and extravasation.
5. Administers chemotherapy/biotherapy/supportive care, performs patient assessment, provides symptom management and patient and family education.
6. Evaluates learning needs of patient and/or family and provides patient/family education appropriate to age, culture, condition and circumstances.
7. Acts as part of a multidisciplinary team providing continuity of care throughout various stages of treatment and follow-up.
8. Collaborates as needed across disciplines to coordinate patient care, including patient transfer, discharge, referral and spiritual/psychosocial and nutritional support needs.
9. Plans, implements and evaluates patient care plans based on patient assessment, to optimize outcomes and maximize available resources.
10. Ensures all patients have an accurate plan of care, reflecting the assessment undertaken and incorporating issues and recommendations.
11. Monitors, records and communicates patient condition as appropriate.
12. Complies with measures to actively manage and reduce risk to patients, and the formal reporting and recording of adverse incidents.
13. Maintains contemporaneous and accurate treatment records, submitting relevant statistics, reports and activity data as requested.
14. Ensures all patients are fully informed of the risks and benefits of proposed procedures/ treatments, contributing to the process of securing informed consent.
15. Performs other duties as assigned.

 MENTAL AND PHYSICAL EFFORT

The individual shall perform a variety of responsible nursing care procedures requiring professional knowledge and consideration specific patient conditions and treatments and ability to work independently in completing assignments.  The incumbent shall perform duties as assigned and ensure quality patient care despite the situation encountered, be it routine or emergent. Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Requires the ability to handle multiple assignments, balance priorities, and make sound decisions.

Physical:

This position requires an individual of high energy that can maintain a long and flexible schedule to meet department and organizational requirements.  Must be able to sit at a desk for long periods of time, able to hear and talk over the telephone and in person with others. The work includes walking, standing, bending, and carrying items such as portable laptop, office material, and books.

Mental:

Contacts often require tact and sensitivity as those related to stressful situation such as death, dying, and catastrophic illnesses.  Must be able to prioritize and use good judgment.  Must be able to collaborate with professional personnel on a wide variety of complex Oncology Services’ program issues.

 IMPACT

The incumbent oversees and directs patient care management, safety, and experience of patients undergoing chemotherapy, and has a very high impact on the quality of patient treatment and care at TCRHCC.

NAVAJO/INDIAN PREFERENCE

TCRHCC is located within the Navajo Nation and, in accordance with Navajo Nation law, has implemented a Navajo/Indian Preference in Employment Policy.  Pursuant to this Policy, applicants who are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation and who meet the necessary qualifications for this position will be given preference in hiring and employment for this position and applicants who are enrolled members of any other tribe who meet the necessary qualifications will be given secondary preference.

APPLICATION DECLARATION

In performance of their respective tasks and duties, all employees at TCRHCC are expected to conform to the following:

• Adhere to all professional and ethical behavior standards of the healthcare industry.
• Interact in an honest, trustworthy and dependable manner with patients, employees and vendors.
• Possess cultural awareness and sensitivity.

All employees must uphold all principles of confidentiality and patient care to the fullest extent. This position has access to sensitive information and a breach of these principles may be grounds for immediate termination.

I have read the qualifications and requirements for the position of Clinical Nurse II.  To the best of my knowledge, I believe I can perform these duties.