The Augusta Health Cancer Center is an outpatient clinic and chemotherapy infusion unit. Oncology nurses play a critical role in the delivery of quality nursing care to a high-risk and complex patient population. Comprehensive knowledge and skills regarding cancer pathophysiology, treatment options and symptom management are required elements of practice. We have a 13 chair outpatient cancer infusion center and an 8 chair infusion center for non-cancer patients. Nurses are cross-trained to work in both areas.
For novice oncology nurses, the first one or two years of practice are focused on gaining an in-depth education regarding the biology of cancer, treatment regimens and comprehensive symptom management. Skill in care and maintenance of venous access devices and handling and administration of hazardous drugs must be cultivated. Guidelines for nursing competency are outlined in the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Guidelines and Recommendations for Practice.
Novice nurses will work closely with an experienced oncology nurse and will be expected to take a Cancer Basics course and ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Administration Certificate course and will orient with their preceptor for 3 to 4 months. Chemotherapy administration competency will be determined before the novice nurse may administer chemotherapy on their own. At the end of one year, the novice nurse must take and pass an ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Administration course which will give a provider’s card to administer chemotherapy.
Come join the Augusta Health team located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley in Fishersville, VA. Augusta Health is an independent, community hospital recognized as one of Healthgrades’ 50 Best Hospitals in America. Our mission is to promote the health and well-being of our community through access to excellent care. We build trust and peace of mind through our core values of patient-and community-centeredness, professionalism, excellence, and teamwork.
Nestled in Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, Augusta Health is among the finest community hospitals in America. Our patients receive an exceptional level of care, reassured that their loved ones and visitors have many amenities available within the hospital so they can all be comfortable while staying close during difficult times.
Augusta Health opened in 1994 to continue a tradition of personalized care with small-town hospitality that began more than 50 years ago with predecessor hospitals in Staunton and Waynesboro, Virginia. Today, our highly trained physicians and staff use state-of-the-art technology to provide superlative care with warmth and compassion.
If you are a dedicated healthcare professional, you will find exciting career opportunities at Augusta Health. If you are a resident of Augusta County or surrounding areas, you can benefit from a variety of programs we host to promote good health in the communities we serve.