Radiation Oncology Nurse BWH

About the Role

The Radiation Oncology staff nurse assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates nursing care for a complex patient population. This role places particular emphasis on intraprocedural nursing care, including patient assessment, monitoring, clinical support, and timely intervention during radiation oncology procedures. The staff nurse provides patient and family education, clinical support, and psychosocial and emotional support before, during, and after treatment.

Care includes patients undergoing brachytherapy procedures (preop, intraop, postop) under anesthesia, pediatric anesthesia treatments, external beam treatments, and procedural recovery. Nursing care is provided to both adult and pediatric patients of all ages. The staff nurse works as part of a multidisciplinary care team and communicates and collaborates effectively with colleagues and staff at BWH, MGB, DFCI, and collaborating institutions and agencies.

This role requires clinical expertise, critical thinking, collaborative practice, excellent communication skills, and knowledge of current cancer treatment and clinical research principles and practices. New Graduate Nurses are welcome to apply.

Responsibilities

• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate a plan of care for a specific patient assignment.
• Set priorities when organizing care for patients with varying acuity and maintain continuity through clear and concise communication.
• Document patient care in compliance with nursing documentation standards.
• Develop comprehensive plans of care, educational plans, and discharge plans utilizing appropriate resources.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the plan of care and revise as needed to achieve desired outcomes.
• Participate actively in unit-based and organizational quality management and/or quality improvement programs.
• Provide a safe environment for patients, staff, family, and visitors.
• Administer medication safely according to established policies and procedures.
• Perform nursing procedures and use equipment safely and efficiently.
• Utilize universal precautions in nursing practice.
• Interact with patients, families, and colleagues in a professional manner.
• Collaborate with other disciplines and participate in determining and implementing unit-specific standards of care.
• Uphold the A.N.A. code of ethics and act as a role model to other staff members.
• Participate in unit-based and organizational committees.
• Assume responsibility for personal and professional growth through identification of learning needs.
• Share knowledge and experience with colleagues and participate in educational programs.
• Utilize nursing research findings in clinical practice and support nursing and/or medical research endeavors.
• Utilize time and materials in an effective and economical manner.
• Provide suggestions which support the delivery of cost-effective health care.
• Assess patient's acuity accurately for staffing, transfers, and assignments.
• Participate in the orientation of new staff members, students, and others as appropriate.
• Provide input into the clinical evaluation of other staff.
• Assume responsibility for the unit in the absence of leadership personnel.
• Adhere to hospital and nursing policies and aid in their interpretation to others.
• Perform procedures and point-of-care testing as ordered.

Requirements

• Graduate of an approved school of nursing with current registration in Massachusetts.
• For newly licensed nurses, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing is required.
• PALS Certification must be obtained within 1 year of hire.
• Oncology experience within the last 3 years required.
• Ambulatory clinic experience preferred.

Skills and Abilities

• Basic analytic thinking necessary to care for a group of patients.
• Observational skills and the ability to set priorities.
• Ability to function under stress with good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Effective skills in applying hospital standards, teamwork, communication, respect for others, and time/priority management.

Schedule

• Department hours are 6:30 am - 7:30 pm (approximately).
• Nurses work four 10-hour shifts, Monday – Friday, rotating between any of the department operating hours.
• During orientation, hours may include evenings and weekends. New graduate nurses may rotate through inpatient and procedural areas to develop required skills.

Working Conditions

Works in a variety of patient care environments which include ambulatory clinics and sterile, procedural areas where there may be exposure to communicable diseases and hazardous materials such as chemotherapeutic agents, blood, radioisotopes, and radiation. Work entails walking and lifting.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for prolonged periods during the workday.
• Must be able to regularly, with assistance, lift items weighing up to and exceeding 50 lbs., and push and pull equipment or loads exceeding 100 lbs.
• Frequent bending, stooping, reaching, twisting, and repositioning of patients and equipment are required.
• Ability to perform these essential functions safely, with or without reasonable accommodation, is required.

Pay

$41.71 - $105.65/Hourly