MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The Research Infusion Nurse must be knowledgeable of standard oncology care practices. The Research Infusion Nurse advocates for patient safety and protocol integrity, adheres to nursing standards, and communicates effectively to ensure effective conduct of clinical trials and quality patient care.

• Current BLS/ACLS (ACLS preferred)
• Current Texas Registered Nursing License
• OCN Preferred
• IV and venous access device management skills
• Chemotherapy/Biotherapy administration experience

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include but are not limited to the following:

Oncology Care Practices

• Demonstrates knowledge of age specific differences in the patient population including physiological and developmental differences unique to each group.
• Assess and monitors therapy of patients using appropriate technical skills under the direction and supervision of a physician.
• Assists physician with exams and procedures.
• Maintains efficient and appropriate patient flow
• Demonstrates knowledge of reimbursement procedures and charge capture.
• Performs venipuncture, accesses implanted ports and maintains central venous access devices and alternate delivering systems.
• Documents all elements of care.
• Communicates all pertinent information and any interventions to the physician or mid level provider.
• Serves as a resource person to the medical assistants and LPNs.
• Triages patient/family phone calls as needed and documents relevant information in the patient's chart.
• Assesses patient/family needs and provides teaching.
• Demonstrates awareness of community resources available to patients and assists with referrals if necessary.
• Follows OSHA guidelines when handling cytotoxic agents, biohazardous waste and any other material potentially infected with a blood borne pathogen.
• Maintains current knowledge of oncology nursing by participating in ongoing educational opportunities.
• Participates in professional development activities and maintain professional affiliations.
• Maintains patient confidentiality.
• Serves as mentor/preceptor and provides day to day guidance to less experienced nurses.

Oncology Clinical Trial Practices

• Confirms informed consent is documented prior to performing any study specific tasks.
• Identifies patients who require increased nursing assessment and management in addition to the clinical trial requirements and collaborate with other members of the healthcare team to ensure patient safety.
• Provides patient education regarding required study procedures.
• Educates and evaluates patient’s adherence to and documentation of self-administered protocol agents, diaries, and return of such agents.
• Collaborates with the investigator to determine if any treatment schedule or drug dose modification is necessary and communicates findings to the study team and other care providers
• Ensures appropriate communication between research and clinical staff related to patient-specific care needs.  This may include telephone contact.
• Ensures evidence-based symptom management as permitted by the protocol.
• Administers investigational compounds and/or chemotherapy/biotherapy to patients according to the protocol and applicable regulations.
• Performs study required procedures such as routine lab collection, study specific sample collection, vital signs, and ECGs, according to the protocol defined timeline.
• Records all study procedures performed including, but not limited to vital signs, ECGs, blood draws, infusions, and infusion reactions.  This may include collecting and documenting current medication lists.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Requires full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients, manual and finger dexterity, and eye-hand coordination.
• Requires standing and walking for extensive periods of time.
• Occasionally lifts and carries items weighing up to 40 lbs.
• Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range

Supervision 

 The Research Infusion Nurse reports to the VP of Clinical Operations.

(This position will be required to train in San Antonio before beginning employment in Austin, TX.)