Clinical Nurse Specialist - Hematology/Oncology

About the role

This position is eligible for EDRP, a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of your start date. Approval, award amount up to $200,000 and eligibility period one to five years are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov for assistance.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with Nurse Manager (NM) and Assistant Nurse Manager (ANM) Special Procedures/Infusion Center to provide clinical leadership for Special Procedures, and Infusion Center staff.
• Facilitate, develop, coordinate, and collaborate orientation, clinical competencies and required educational directives with the Special Procedures and Infusion Center Unit Nurse Manager and Assistant Nurse Manager.
• Facilitate, coordinate, and lead development and completion of initial competencies for Special Procedures, and Infusion Center nursing staff.
• Facilitate, coordinate, and lead development and completion of ongoing competencies for the Special Procedures, Infusion Center nursing staff and nursing service as needed.
• Coordinates, plans, implements and evaluates competencies specifically chemotherapy and hazardous drugs for non-chemotherapy competent staff.
• Affords assistance with simulation or other training as indicated for chemotherapy education and assessing chemotherapy competency.
• Coordinates and provides Special Procedures, Infusion Center, and hospital wide oncology nursing educational programs and activities.
• Mentors Special Procedures, Infusion Center, nursing staff and VASDHS staff to develop leadership and preceptor skills.
• Uses advanced clinical knowledge/judgment to promote staff involvement in planning, decision-making and evaluation outcomes.
• Functions as an expert in clinical practice and/or areas related to the assigned roles and responsibilities.
• Systematically evaluates current practice and formulates outcomes for groups of patients and/or organizational process within area of expertise.
• Collaborates with NMs and ANMs to disseminate accreditation standards and ensures staff compliance to assure area/unit meets accreditation standards and regulatory agency requirements.
• Collaborates and participates with Special Procedures, Infusion Center nursing and VASDHS staff in the selection and process of performance measure improvement.
• Leads nursing and interprofessional groups that address concerns related to cancer care.
• Collaborates with the oncology team regarding policies, practice issues, medications, or procedures.
• Provides direct or indirect care for patients in the Special Procedures/Infusion Center and for patients with a cancer diagnosis throughout VASDHS when appropriate.
• Documents all direct patient care provided using CPRS, according to unit and facility policies and procedures.
• Affords assistance with Nursing Education and Research leadership with evidence-based practice to VASDHS employees.
• Completes electronic progress notes in a problem-oriented format.
• Maintains mandatory and clinical competencies for the position including certification as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CCNS) from American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Clinical Nurse Specialist or from a VA-approved certifying body.
• Coordinates with CNS group to provide orientation and cross-coverage for all inpatient and outpatient care units.
• Consults and coordinates clinical nursing practice. Provides clinical consultation to nurses caring for VASDHS oncology patients as needed including other departments and to other health care team members.
• Serves as a consultant to all unit-based committees, and on other interdisciplinary task forces and committees as appropriate.
• Affords assistance as needed on policies and procedures.
• Supports Special Procedures/Infusion Center NM and Nursing Education nurse manager in the development of a strategic educational plan.
• Participates and reviews Joint Patient Safety Reporting (JPSR), Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Mock Tracers and sentinel events.
• Provides instruction/mentoring/precepting for nursing students and graduate nursing students in the CNS role, DNP, or PhD as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Advanced Practice Nurse (Clinical Nurse Specialist)
• Basic Requirements:
• Education: Post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a clinical nurse specialist.
• Licensure and Certification: Active, current, full and unrestricted license to practice as a CNS, or equivalent, in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
• Certification: Full and current board certification in an area of clinical specialty through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), or another nationally recognized certifying body.