REGISTERED NURSE - Infusion Clinic

POSITION PURPOSE: Delivery of age-specific, direct patient care. The specific nature of this position includes safe care and delivery of chemotherapeutic agents ordered by a physician to patients in the treatment of their disease processes. The Infusion/OP RN will be responsible for facilitating care and developing the scheduling of outpatient procedures and providing infusions to select patient groups.

This Registered Nurse (RN) provides nursing care to patients utilizing the Nursing Process, within the framework of standards for nursing practice as established by the Alaska State Board of Nursing, the American Nurses Association, The Oncology Nurses Society, and departmental policies and procedures.

NATURE AND SCOPE: The RN is accountable for the delivery of quality and safe care to patients and families, following the nursing process in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act. The RN is responsible for the assessment, treatment, and care for adult oncology patients and infusion patients. The RN must be competent to access and analyze patient information and history with an understanding of the cognitive, physical, emotional/psychosocial, spiritual, and chronological maturation process. RN accepts and promotes professional development as an integral part of nursing practice. The RN performs all duties in a manner that supports the team concept, collaborative caring and reflects the philosophy of the Emergency & Outpatient Services Department, and the mission of South Peninsula Hospital.

LATITUDE: The duties and accountabilities of the Infusion Nurse are outlined in this position description. The individual in this position has the authority to perform their job duties in a thorough manner, while remaining within the scope of the position description. Any questions or concerns regarding the latitude of this position should be directed to the Infusion Clinic Coordinator or Specialty Services Manager.

SUBORDINATE ACTIVITIES: This position is not a supervisory position.

CHALLENGE: The major challenge of this position is to function as a part of the Infusion Clinic and health care team to provide quality care to residents/patients using the ability to apply technical, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills and to meet patient age-specific emotional needs.

CONTACTS: The Registered Nurse communicates and works together as a team with the Infusion Clinic Coordinator, Scheduler/MA, Pharmacy, and Medical Staff. Good relationships are maintained with all other ancillary services, as well as the patient and family.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

1. Education: Graduate of an accredited / approved School of Nursing.
2. Licensure: Licensed as a Registered Nurse in the State of Alaska.
3. Certification:
   1. Current Basic Life Support Certification (BLS)
4. Experience: One to two years Registered Nurse experience. One to three years infusion and chemotherapy experience preferred.
5. English Language: Must be able to read, write and speak English clearly.
6. Other qualifications: Schedule varies to meet department needs.
7. Must be able to prioritize multiple tasks, and work with a variety of health care team members effectively.

SAFETY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1. Performs all job functions in a safe manner.
2. Identify safety and environmental hazards in the department and the workplace.
3. Report all personal, on-the-job injuries, per Hospital policy. All reports must be made within 72 hours of accident
4. Complies with facility policies and procedures, including Fire, Evacuation and Disaster Plans.
5. Utilizes Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) appropriately.
6. Documents unusual occurrences, medication/treatment errors, equipment failure, according to facility policy.

ESSENTIAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1. Utilizes the nursing process to provide the standard for patient care.
2. Reviews patient care and revises as appropriate.
3. Performs a focused assessment on assigned patients utilizing all available sources of information.
4. Appropriately informs attending physician of changes in patient condition, patient response to treatments, etc., in a timely manner.
5. Provides communicative on and off duty report on new and recurring patients to members of team.
6. Assures that all pharmaceutical drugs are documented in the Medical Record.
7. Directs, instructs, supervises, and reviews documentation.
8. Prepares equipment/supplies.
9. Performs technical aspects of patient care in accordance with established policies/practice standards.
10. Documents observations, nursing interventions, patient’s response to treatment, and any other pertinent data on the medical record according to established procedure.
11. Accurately receives, interprets, transcribes, and implements physician orders according to established procedure.
12. Administers chemotherapy and biological agents. Provides direct patient care related to standards of Nursing in the Specialty Clinic. Nursing care includes but is not limited to vital signs, height, weight, wound care, dressing changes, port draws, IV starts, infusions, injections and procedures requiring sedation.
13. Promptly attends to patient's needs.
14. Follows up on patient care responsibilities and assignments; reports any uncompleted tasks to team.
15. Demonstrates an ability to initiate and direct life support measures and other oncologic emergency crisis situations.
16. May participate in the unit Quality Improvement plan.

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1. Meets SPH requirements for treatment of all persons. Treats all patients with dignity, and follows established policies and procedures to preserve the patient’s right to privacy and confidentiality (HIPAA). Exhibits a caring attitude to patients, co-workers and visitors, including working cooperatively with others for a positive work environment and team building atmosphere.
2. Complies with facility attendance policies/procedures/meets attendance requirements of job.
3. Participates in self-growth opportunities/requirements and participates in inservices & meetings per department & facility policy.
4. Requests help and/or guidance as necessary in order to safely perform assigned duties.
5. Conforms to departmental dress standards, maintains good personal hygiene.
6. Plans and organizes work activity to complete scheduled assignments on time.
7. Completes an acceptable work load, accepts additional tasks willingly.
8. Takes appropriate 15 minute breaks and 30 minutes for meals.
9. Takes no more than 4-7 sick days per year, except for extended illness/injury.
10. Understands and follows the chain of command in dealing with problems/concerns.
11. Is familiar with facility policies & procedures, including fire evacuation, disaster plans and TB plan.
12. Deals with interpersonal conflict in healthy, positive manner.
13. Completes Occurrence and other reports per facility policy.
14. Demonstrates knowledge and practice of Standard Precautions for prevention or spread of disease.

ENVIRONMENT:

South Peninsula Hospital (SPH) is a combined 22-bed critical access hospital and 28-bed long term care facility located at the southern end of the Kenai Peninsula.

Homer, Alaska, is a seaside town nestled on the shores of beautiful Kachemak Bay, offering breathtaking views of glaciers, mountains and wildlife. If you are looking for community, adventure, culture, scenery or solitude, you'll find all of that and more here!

We offer highly competitive wages and benefits including: health/dental/vision/life insurance, 403b retirement plan, health and wellness reimbursement, loan forgiveness, generous paid leave and relocation bonus (for applicable applicants). Apply today!