Registered Nurse - Oncology/Hematology/Infusion
What you'd do
The Oncology/Hematology/Infusion Registered Nurse is part of the Close to Me Cancer Care Service (CTM), a traveling care team that transports medication to the Lexington VA HCS CBOCs for clinic appointments to both administer hands-on oncology care and parenteral treatments.
Major duties
The CTM RN utilizes specialized knowledge and judgement to deliver high quality and evidence-based care to patients and their families. A team approach is used to identify, analyze and resolve patient care problems. The CTM RN will monitor, track trends, and report ongoing care needs to the team. The CTM RN provides a safe working environment while administering, handling, transporting, and disposing of antineoplastic drugs, non-neoplastic drugs, blood products, and medical waste. The CTM RN oversees administration and management of various medical procedures and treatments in the oncology/infusion setting, including vascular access devices, infusion treatments, and therapeutic phlebotomies. The CTM RN manages monitoring requirements for specific drugs, handling immediate infusion reactions, and preventing and managing disease-related symptoms and adverse events, such as chemo-related symptoms and immune-related adverse events, and non-chemotherapy related symptoms. The CTM RN will travel to Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) settings. The CTM RNs will be responsible to maintain mandatory fleet car use education annually. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Pay Plan: N01K Work Schedule: Full-time - 10 hours, no weekends, Shifts such as 0600-1630 Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
Basic Requirements: English Language Proficiency In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written/spoken English. Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6) OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Current, full, active and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to 2 years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13011897. Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I Level I Delivers fundamental knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies. An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing with no additional professional nursing required. Nurse I Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I Level 1 OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required. Nurse I Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I Level 2 OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I Level 2 OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience OR a Master's degree in a related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I Level 3 OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I Level 3 OR a Master's degree in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I Level 3 OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience OR a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting. MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, 1 of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III OR a Master's degree in related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III OR a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Preferred Experience Recent Professional Experience: Minimum of 2 years of recent, professional nursing experience in Oncology, Hematology and/or Infusion Therapy. Chemotherapy/Immunotherapy Administration: Experience administering antineoplastic/non-neoplastic infusions. Handle hazardous medications safely in accordance with established guidelines (e.g., OSHA, ONS). Vascular Access Device Management: Demonstrate proficiency in managing central and peripheral venous access devices, including initiation, monitoring and troubleshooting. Adverse Reaction Management: Identify prevent and manage infusion reactions and disease-related or treatment-related symptoms. Patient & Family Education: Educate patients and caregivers regarding oncology treatments, potential side effects and home care instructions. Regulatory Compliance: Knowledge of safe handling and disposal of hazardous drugs and medical waste, maintain compliance with infection control and safety standards. Certification: ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Certificate and/or Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) credential preferred but not required. This experience is not required, but candidates with this background are highly encouraged to apply. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Must be physically, mentally/emotionally fit to perform duties assigned. A pre-placement physical examination is required for all FT/PT and intermittent employees identified by VA Directive and Handbook 5019, must be completed prior to appointment. Satisfactorily perform duties assigned. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech and manual dexterity. Prolonged walking, standing, stooping, pushing pulling and lifting 50 lbs. Transfer patients and objects. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials. May be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. Must be a flexible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and with patients who are combative with dementia or psychiatric disorders.
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