Staff Nurse - Yawkey 9 (30 hrs/week)

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life-changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations.

About the role

The Staff Nurse’s responsibilities include assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care for a complex patient population. The infusion nurse provides patient and family education and psychosocial and emotional support. As a member of a multidisciplinary care team, the role requires effective communication and collaboration with co-workers and staff at the Institute, BWH, and other collaborating institutions and agencies. The role demands clinical expertise, critical thinking, collaborative practice, excellent communication skills, and an understanding of the principles and practices of clinical research.

Responsibilities

• Delivers expert, evidence-based nursing care to patients and families.
• Implements the nursing process: assesses patient and family needs, analyzes data to develop clinically accurate diagnoses, plans care by establishing measurable goals, implements the plan, and evaluates responses to interventions.
• Documents care according to Institute and regulatory agencies’ requirements.
• Administers medications, including chemotherapy, and performs procedures safely and efficiently in accordance with Institute policy. May administer blood transfusions.
• Evaluates educational and psychological needs of patients and families, incorporating them into the plan of care.
• Educates patients and families regarding disease aspects and treatment modalities, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
• Recognizes and responds to emergency situations appropriately; maintains BLS certification.
• Identifies appropriate community resources to promote continuity of care and makes referrals.
• Complies with professional nursing practice standards, licensure, and regulatory requirements.
• Establishes rapport with patients and families from diverse cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, demonstrating sensitivity to their needs.
• Manages the environment of patient care, ensuring compliance with regulatory agency standards and patient safety.
• Adheres to Institute, Nursing, and Patient Care Services policies, procedures, and standards of conduct, including the Code of Ethics for Nurses.
• Contributes to the formulation and achievement of unit, division, and Institute goals.
• Participates in unit, program-based, and divisional committees, councils, and initiatives.
• Demonstrates flexibility in setting and changing priorities; accepts additional responsibilities as needed.
• Participates in quality assurance and quality improvement projects.
• Supports research activities within the unit, division, and Institute.
• Works collaboratively as an effective member of the healthcare team, addressing and managing conflicts.
• Delegates appropriately and supervises assistive personnel in patient care.
• Functions in the charge nurse role when necessary, coordinating patient flow in infusion areas.
• Identifies professional goals and learning needs, pursuing growth through inservices, workshops, and seminars.
• Shares knowledge with colleagues and acts as a preceptor and mentor for new staff.
• Collaborates in preparing professional reports, articles, and presentations.
• Meets annual evaluation requirements and competencies.
• Pursues active membership in local and national professional organizations.

Procedural Nurse Responsibilities

• Performs pre-procedural assessments, including obtaining medical history, medication reconciliation, and reviewing procedural sedation history.
• Provides patient-specific pre-procedural instructions and creates premedication regimens in collaboration with procedure APPs.
• Obtains IV access and pre-procedural lab work; administers pre-procedural medications, titrating according to patient needs.
• Administers chemotherapy and performs procedures safely per Institute policy; may administer blood transfusions.
• Works as a co-sign for Intrathecal Chemotherapy administered by APPs.
• Assists in emergency nursing procedures for prompt control of changes in patient conditions.
• Maintains awareness of procedural suite activities to maximize workflow.
• Monitors patients intra-procedurally, including airway management, circulation, respiration via capnography, and telemetry.
• Safely recovers patients post-sedation, performs discharge teaching, and evaluates discharge safety.
• Coordinates research specimen collection with research coordinators.
• Maintains Joint Commission readiness.
• Provides support for biopsy specimen collection when not acting in a procedural sedation role.

Requirements

• Associate degree in Nursing; Baccalaureate degree in Nursing strongly preferred. If Associate degree, must complete BSN within 4 years.
• Completion of the Oncology Nurse Residency Program (ONRP) or 1 year of recent experience as a Registered Nurse.
• Ambulatory and/or oncology experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Licensed as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or State of New Hampshire.
• AHA BLS certification required (AHA ACLS accepted as minimum requirement).
• Professional nursing certification preferred (e.g., OCN, BMTCN, CPHON, AOCNP, CRNI, RN-BC).
• Demonstrates understanding of special needs and behaviors of age groups served: young adults to geriatrics.

Skills

• Demonstrated ability to work as an effective member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Critical thinking, problem-solving, and ability to make independent decisions.
• Ability to function in a busy work setting with patients who have complex needs.

Pay

$42.65 - $105.81 per hour, based on market pay structures, individual experience, skills, and qualifications. For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).