ONCOLOGY NURSE COORDINATOR

Description

The Oncology Nurse Coordinator at Riverside Healthcare's Cancer Treatment Center plays a pivotal role in managing and coordinating the care of oncology patients throughout their treatment journey. This position involves providing personalized care, educating patients and families, and ensuring seamless communication between patients, healthcare providers, and support services. The Oncology Nurse Coordinator is essential in guiding patients through complex treatment plans, managing symptoms, and promoting a holistic approach to cancer care.

Essential Duties

• Patient Care Coordination: Serve as the primary point of contact for oncology patients, coordinating all aspects of their care from diagnosis through treatment and follow-up.
• Care Plan Development: Collaborate with oncologists and the multidisciplinary team to develop individualized care plans that address the medical, emotional, and social needs of patients.
• Patient Education: Provide comprehensive education to patients and their families about diagnosis, treatment options, side effects, and symptom management, ensuring they have a clear understanding of their care plan.
• Symptom Management: Monitor and assess patients for treatment-related symptoms, providing appropriate interventions and referrals to manage pain, nausea, fatigue, and other side effects.
• Navigation Support: Assist patients in navigating the healthcare system, including scheduling appointments, coordinating with specialists, and connecting with support services such as social work and financial counseling.
• Communication: Facilitate open and ongoing communication between patients, families, and the healthcare team to ensure that everyone is informed and involved in decision-making.
• Quality Improvement: Participate in quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing patient outcomes, patient satisfaction, and the overall effectiveness of the oncology care program.
• Collaboration: Work closely with the multidisciplinary team, including oncology providers, pharmacists, and social workers, to ensure coordinated and patient-centered care.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all patient care activities, including treatment administration, patient assessments, and care plan adjustments.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure clinic compliance with DNV and Commission on Cancer (COC) regulations and maintain accurate documentation of all required clinical patient information during the rooming process.
• Also takes charge of assisting providers and patients in referrals for clinical trials.
• Adhere to AIDET format and standards. Acknowledge and greet all customers timely with a professional and friendly demeanor.
• Demonstrates flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.
  
  

Non-essential Duties

• Program Development: Contribute to the development and implementation of oncology care programs and patient education materials.
• Community Outreach: Engage in community outreach activities to raise awareness about cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment options.
• Staff Training: Assist in the orientation and ongoing education of new nursing staff, particularly in the areas of oncology care and patient coordination.
• Health Outcomes: Measure health outcomes against patient care goals and standards, making necessary adjustments to care plans to ensure optimal results.
  
  

Requirements

Preferred Experience

• Minimum of 1-2 years of nursing experience, preferably in Oncology.
• Experience with electronic health records (EHR) systems is desirable.
• Strong clinical assessment and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, with a patient-centered approach to care.
• Proficiency in using medical equipment and EHR software.
• Compassionate, detail-oriented, and able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment while maintaining high standards of care.
  
  

Required Licensure/Education

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited nursing program
• Current Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the state of Illinois. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required
• Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) certification
• Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Certification through ONS/ONCC
  
  

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure/Sensory Requirements:

• Exposure to:
• Chemicals: Refer to MSDS sheets
• Video Display Terminals: Average
• Blood and Body Fluids: Very High-giving blood products, administering medications both IV and IM, open wounds and drains, urine or feces due to incontinent patients.
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Possible exposure to undiagnosed or untreated TB patients, from general contact. Patients coughing or patients with tracheotomies.
  
  

Sensory Requirements (speech, Vision, Smell, Hearing, Touch)

• Speech: Required to communicate with patient/families/staff/MD's. Needed for presentations/training, telephone communication.
• Vision: Needed to read memos and literature, patient reports and charts.
• Smell: Helpful to note presence of incontinence, vomitus, blood; electrical/fire safety.
• Hearing: Necessary to hear alarms, hear patient verbalizations, meetings, telephone communications.
• Touch: Necessary for writing, computer entry, filing.
  
  

Activity/Lifting Requirements

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 25%
• Twist: 2%
• Stand: 45%
• Crawl: 0%
• Walk: 45%
• Kneel: 1%
• Lift: 3%
• Drive: 0%
• Squat: 5%
• Climb: 1%
• Bend: 5%
• Reach above shoulders: 5%
  
  

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

• Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 20 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 35 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 50 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 75 lbs: Not required
• Up to 100 lbs: Not required
• Over 100 lbs: Not required
  
  

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements. (Example: the distance material is carried; how high material is lifted, etc.):

Carrying patient charts - no higher than shoulder level. Assisting with patient transfers from wheelchair to exam table or bed.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 60
• Twist: 1
• Stand: 45
• Crawl: 0
• Walk: 5
• Kneel: 1
• Lift: 1
• Drive: 0
• Squat: 3
• Climb: 1
• Bend: 3
• Reach above shoulders: 5
  
  

Repetitive Use Of Hands (Frequency Indicated)

• Simple grasp up to 10 lbs. Normal weight: 5# often
• Pushing &pulling Normal weight: >50# often
• Fine Manipulation: Keyboarding, venipunctures, filing, writing, drawing up meds in syringes and giving injections.
  
  

Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control:

Environmental Factors & Special Hazards

• Environmental Factors (Time Spent):
• Inside hours: 8-9
• Outside hours : 0
• Temperature: Normal Range
• Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Average
• Humidity: Dry
• Atmosphere: Dust
• Special Hazards: Chemical -Exposure to chemotherapeutic agents, blood and body fluids.
• Protective Clothing Required: As required for chemotherapy or in cases of isolation, i.e. gloves, gowns, masks, goggles.