Registered Nurse - Radiation Oncology

Under the supervision of the Administrative Nurse (AN) or Charge Nurse, the Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing skilled and comprehensive nursing care to radiation oncology patients with a wide variety of oncological and/or disease-related problems seen for consultation, treatment, and follow-up.

Through application of the nursing process, the RN provides direct care and implements plans for continuity and coordination of patient care with other members of the patient's health care team. In collaboration with the AN, the nurse provides appropriate guidance and supervision for ancillary nursing personnel and participates in orientation of new medical and/or technical personnel. Responsibilities include compliance with Medical Center and departmental Policies and Procedures, Environmental Safety, House and Telephone Standards, and compliance with all regulatory agency requirements.

The hours are generally day time from about 7AM to 5PM, but may vary with start times from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM and end times may vary from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This role will function as the primary contact for the patients of a specific MD(s) to manage side effects, symptoms, care and coordination of complex interdisciplinary services. The RN will work closely with one or more physicians who will be directing and delegating care as appropriate.

The position may involve travel between or working at any of our other UCSF Radiation Oncology sites.

% of time
20% Assessment
A. Identifies patients' physiological and psychosocial status in order to implement plans of care.
B. Seeks and utilizes available diagnostic tests, lab values, reports and medical record information to increase awareness of current or potential problems.
C. Responds to or refers inquiries appropriately. Recognizes and reports specific physical and emotional conditions/needs/concerns of the patient to the appropriate members of the healthcare team. Alerts physician to unusual conditions of the patient to facilitate immediate attention.
D. Obtains vital signs (including blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation) and weights on patients being seen for consult, for follow-up, and for weekly treatment visits. Reports abnormal findings to MD.
E. Anticipates patient's response to treatment and/or disease progression and assesses appropriately per the patients clinical condition.

20% Planning
A. Develops holistic health care plans based upon the patient's medical condition, treatment goals, and psychosocial status.
B. Anticipates potential physical and psychosocial problems in order guide patient teaching, support, coordination of, and timely provision of necessary care.
C. Incorporates the patient's family into the plan of care as appropriate.
D. Coordinates planning with other members of the Cancer Center, SFGH, VA, and other facilities as relevant.
E. Mentors, trains, assists, and is a resource for staff to improve coordination of patients' care.

30% Implementation
A. Demonstrates and applies specialized knowledge of oncology and radiation therapy nursing in providing direct care, education and support to patients/families.
B. Responsible for care of gamma knife patients from admission through discharge including counseling and evaluating patients prior to the procedure, assisting the neurosurgeon with frame placement, scan preparation, coordination, discharge teaching, and all other duties related to the nursing care of the gamma knife patient. Makes follow-up calls to gamma knife patients after discharge to determine status post-procedure status of the patient. C. Provides appropriate nursing care according to UCSF standards outlined in the Nursing Procedures Manual. This includes, but may not be limited to, care of patients requiring intravenous therapy, oxygen therapy, contrast injection, pain management and sedation. It also includes monitoring of various systems (e.g. tubes, drains, catheters) and management of surgical revisions (e.g. ostomies and wounds), skin care, and nutrition teaching.
D. Reports concerns about patient status and/or abnormal changes in patients' conditions to appropriate health care team members.
E. Assists physician and patient during diagnostic procedures (e.g. pelvic exams, needle biopsies and aspirations), nasopharyngeal scoping, spinal tap, sedation, and brachytherapy appliance insertion and removal, and other unit-based therapy procedures.
F. Complies with all UCSF/ MTZ Comprehensive Cancer Center and unit-based policies and procedures including infection control, safety and administrative and clinical practices.
G. Understands and implements the procedures for medical emergencies, Code Blue and other emergency/disaster situations.
H. Evaluates and documents response of patient to treatment plan and nursing interventions.
I. Directs and delegates appropriate tasks to Medical Assistants and Administrative Staff and ensures adequate follow-through.
J. Acts as Charge Nurse in the absence of the Administrative Nurse as assigned.
K. May work at any UCSF Radiation Oncology Site as determined by the needs of the department. This may include traveling to another UCSF location during the course of a shift.
L. Ability to work flexible hours as determine by the needs of the department. Start times generally vary from about 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM and end times may vary from about 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and may occasionally require overtime. Other start and end times may occur as needed for example to cover partial shifts of 4 hours.
M. Assists the patient to navigate complex health care system between various clinics, specialty practices, treatments and other medical services.
N. Assists the physicians in managing and coordinating care between various other specialty practices and medical services as needed.
O. Assists in upholding the quality of care, and is a responsible steward of resources avoiding waste and mindful of efforts to control cost.
10 Advocacy/Patient Education
A. Assesses patient's and family's understanding of illness and knowledge of Radiation Therapy; educates and documents accordingly.
B. Utilizes clinical knowledge and communication skills to serve as an initial and continued resource for patients/family.
C. Informs patients/family about services available at UCSF/MTZ Comprehensive Cancer Center and in the community.
D. Promotes the patient's participation in planning for and understanding of their care.
E. Evaluates the effectiveness of health teaching by obtaining feedback from patients and/or families, observations of outcomes and progress, and contributes to revision of care plan accordingly.
10% Coordination/Communication
A. Coordinates resources and communicates to minimize fragmentation of care within the department, patient care units, other clinics and departments, or other facilities.
B. Communicates directly with appropriate nurses verbally and in writing (when appropriate) regarding specific needs or concerns of the patient.
C. Assists in the supervision of timely and appropriate transportation of patients to and from other units/facilities. This includes obtaining report and giving report as needed from outside units/facilities to safely provide/manage patient care.
D. Facilitates appropriate community health and social service referrals (i.e. VNA, Hospice, housing, transportation, etc.).
E. Documents nursing assessments and interventions in patient chart appropriately.
F. Coordinates the efforts for patient teaching, directions and planning for diagnostic tests, other appointments and hospital admissions.
G. Evaluates the effectiveness of health care teaching by obtaining feedback form patient and caregivers and observation of procedures and outcomes.
H. Uses the Principles of AIDET and Living Pride initiatives of the Medical Center in communication with patients and others.
I. Upholds the Medical Center Telephone Communication Standards.
J. Uses APEX MyChart effectively and responds to patient messages within the required time.
K. Uses email, internet and other electronic communications within Medical Center and departmental policies.
L. Maintains HIPPA privacy standards per Medical Center Policies.

10% Professionalism
A. Assumes responsibility for keeping informed of changes in policies and procedures related to his/her role in the job setting.
B. Demonstrates knowledge of radiation safety standards and practices and observes all required precautions. Timely returns radiation safety badges.
C. Treats all patients, visitors, and co-workers with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect at all times accordance with Medical Center standards.
D. Maintains flexibility in shift and work assignments (i.e. overtime, shifts, assignment, site, and
E. Holidays).
F. Maintains confidentiality in matters related to patients and/or staff.
G. Timely complies with all UCSF nursing service requirements and state licensure requirements.
H. Complies with all activities mandated by regulatory agencies such as CMS, JCAHO and/or Title 22.
I. Assists with data collection for various research projects, QA/QI initiatives such as hand-hygiene data, chart audits, etc.
J. Participates in the orientation of nursing, medical and technical personnel with regard to the patient care functions and standards in the Department of Radiation Oncology.
K. Uses conflict resolution skills.
L. Is engaged or participates in Department, Nursing, Medical Center Committees such as Magnet as applicable or recommended
M. Participates in special projects for the department such as work groups for the department IAP goal, or delegated tasks from Administrative Nurse

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 1 year of registered nurse oncology experience within past 3-5 years
• Minimum 2 years inpatient experience as a registered nurse
• Radiation Oncology experience as a registered nurse in the last 6 months.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Experience with starting IV's and maintaining IV therapy
• Ability to interact on an interpersonal level with patients and staff.
• Ability to deal with issues related to death and dying.
• Basic computer skills including,use of email, internet, navigating windows, and ability to learn various computer systems such as EPIC, Aria, and other clinical tools.
• This position requires flexibility to orient and work at all UCSF Medical Center Radiation Oncology locations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Procedural experience
• Oncology experience
• Accessing ports
• Radiation Oncology experience
  

Licensure/Certifications:

• Active Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the State of California

• Active American Heart Association CPR Certification

• American Heart Association BLS Certification.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 1 year of registered nurse oncology experience within past 3-5 years
• Minimum 2 years inpatient experience as a registered nurse
• Radiation Oncology experience as a registered nurse in the last 6 months.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Experience with starting IV's and maintaining IV therapy
• Ability to interact on an interpersonal level with patients and staff.
• Ability to deal with issues related to death and dying.
• Basic computer skills including,use of email, internet, navigating windows, and ability to learn various computer systems such as EPIC, Aria, and other clinical tools.
• This position requires flexibility to orient and work at all UCSF Medical Center Radiation Oncology locations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Procedural experience
• Oncology experience
• Accessing ports
• Radiation Oncology experience
  

Licensure/Certifications:

• Active Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the State of California

• Active American Heart Association CPR Certification

• American Heart Association BLS Certification.