Under general supervision and in consultation with the responsible medical oncologist and/or advanced practitioner, is responsible for coordinating, managing and communicating the plan of treatment to patients and their families. Specifically, the nurse assists in communications with patients, triages patients and patient issues, performs symptom management and teaches patients regarding their disease process and treatment. In addition, the nurse collaborates with the multi-disciplinary team and utilizes clinical outcomes data to support innovative and cost effective changes to clinical practice.

Education:
Associate Degree from an accredited School of Nursing required; BSN preferred.
Licensures/Certifications:
Current registration with the Maryland State Board of Examiners of Nurses as a Registered Nurse
Completion of "Healthcare Provider" CPR course
ONS Chemotherapy Biotherapy provider card preferred, but not mandatory
Experience:
Infusion experience and outpatient experience preferred, but not mandatory
Skills:
• Interpersonal communication (oral and written) skills required in order to educate and comfort patients and their families, maintain effective contacts with a variety of hospital personnel, and maintain appropriate documentation records
• Ability to assess, triage and document medical information pertinent to the oncology patient
• Skill in oral and written communication to address patient/family and staff concerns
• Demonstrated skill in problem solving using available resources in innovative ways
• Interpersonal relationship skills in order to communicate effectively with the oncology care team
Computer and personal productivity skills to enable effective use of e-mail, the Internet, and word processing packages

Principles Duties and Responsibilities:
Utilization of Nursing Process
A. Assessment.
1. Assesses patients prior to administration of any therapy or treatment by doing the following:
a) Utilizing physical assessment skills and interview techniques
b) Reviewing pertinent laboratory results
c) Reviewing results and grading side effects related to treatment by using the NCI-CTC scale
2. Compiles database and documents in a thorough manner, included (but not limited to): assessment, NCI-CTC toxicity criteria, pain assessment, falls assessment, medication reconciliation, education, distress, etc.
3. Anticipates need for intervention by other disciplines.
4. Determines priorities for patient care needs or problems.

B. Planning.
1. Initiates and updates plan of care for patient at each visit
2. Provides patient and family members with information and support, coordinating all aspects of care
3. Educates patient and family on treatment plan (to include new drugs and side effects), schedule for treatment, information about labs and follow-up visits, Rx medications, when to call the office and what number to call, etc.
4. Documents initial new patient education sessions in the education assessment flowsheet and chemo education flowsheets addressing all elements. Documents any reiteration of initial education, and ongoing in the progress note

C. Implementation.
1. Performs clinical nursing skills independently.
2. Administers medications, IV therapy and treatments appropriately and accurately.
3. Initiates appropriate emergency procedures as necessary.
4. Communicates the patient's status and plan of care through documentation in the EMR.
5. Verbally communicates the patient's status to physicians, nurses and other health care professionals.
6. Provides caring, individual attention, compassion, and empathy to patients and their families
7. Provides patient and family members with information and support, coordinating all aspects of care

D. Patient Care Coordination
1. Manages daily patient assignment by appropriately setting priorities.
2. Coordinates patient activities with other disciplines.
3. Communicates with other oncology team members and the front desk staff regarding wait times by using direct communication and through the use of the office chat room
4. Communicates in a therapeutic manner with the patient, family, and visitors
5. Works closely with clinical trials nurses to ensure appropriate things are done when a patient in on a study

E. Teaching and Quality Improvement
1. Identifies unit, staff, and patient care problems. Takes action or refers problems to appropriate resource when needed
2. Helps maintain unit supplies by re-stocking at the end of each day. Notifies unit personnel responsible for ordering when items get low.
3. Participates in the LDM process for the Cancer Institute.
4. Maintains the “environment of care” by cleaning chairs and pumps between each patient and at the end of the shift
5. Participates in performance improvement at the unit level, which includes identifying areas for improvement and contributing to the solutions needed to fix them
6. Reports near misses, errors, etc., in Quantros
7. Completes all documentation in a timely manner, by the end of the shift
8. Completes patient bulling in a thorough, accurate manner by the end of the shift
9. Practices good customer service skills and provides service recovery when needed.

All roles must demonstrate GBMC Values:

Respect

I will treat everyone with courtesy. I will foster a healing environment.

Treats others with fairness, kindness, and respect for personal dignity and privacyListens and responds appropriately to others’ needs, feelings, and capabilities

Excellence

I will strive for superior performance in every aspect of my work. I will recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of others.

Meets and/or exceeds customer expectationsActively pursues learning and self-developmentPays attention to detail; follows through

Accountability

I will be professional in the way I act, look and speak. I will take ownership to solve problems.

Sets a positive, professional example for othersTakes ownership of problems and does what is needed to solve themAppropriately plans and utilizes required resources for various job dutiesReports to work regularly and on time

Teamwork

I will be engaged and collaborative. I will keep people informed.

Works cooperatively and collaboratively with others for the success of the teamAddresses and resolves conflict in a positive waySeeks out the ideas of others to reach the best solutionsAcknowledges and celebrates the contribution of others

Ethical Behavior

I will always act with honesty and integrity. I will protect the patient.

Demonstrates honesty, integrity and good judgmentRespects the cultural, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of patients/families/coworkers

Results

I will set goals and measure outcomes that support organizational goals. I will give and accept help to achieve goals.

Embraces change and improvement in the work environmentContinuously seeks to improve the quality of products/servicesDisplays flexibility in dealing with new situations or obstaclesAchieves results on time by focusing on priorities and manages time efficiently

COVID-19 Vaccination

All applicants must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or obtain a GBMC approved medical or religious exemption prior to starting employment at GBMC Healthcare, to include Gilchrist and GBMC Health Partners.

Equal Employment Opportunity

GBMC HealthCare and its affiliates are Equal Opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.