Venous Access Nurse (32 hrs/week)

About the role

The Venous Access Nurse at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute delivers expert, evidence-based nursing care to patients and families. They implement the nursing process, assess veins and access needs, evaluate home line care routines, and educate patients and families.

Responsibilities

• Delivers expert, evidence-based nursing care to patients and families.
• Implements the nursing process: Assess veins and access needs and makes recommendations to providers accordingly.
• Assesses patient and family needs.
• Evaluates home line care routine and supports patient to achieve optimal outcomes.
• Analyzes assessment data to develop and support clinically accurate diagnoses.
• Plans care by establishing goals with measurable outcomes.
• Implements the plan of care.
• Evaluates the patient's response to interventions.
• Documents care according to Institute and regulatory agencies' requirements.
• Administers medications relevant for care of the venous access patient and/or specific to Imaging protocols and performs procedures safely and efficiently in accordance with Institute policy.
• May provide specialized care of protocol drug patients in various settings.
• Evaluates educational and psychological needs of patient and family, and incorporates identified needs into the plan of care.
• Educates patient and family regarding various aspects and treatment modalities of disease, including vein choice, vein preservation techniques, and line care if applicable.
• Recognizes and responds to emergency situations appropriately.
• Maintains BLS certification and or ACLS certification.
• Identifies appropriate community resources to promote continuity of care, and makes appropriate referrals.
• Complies with accepted standards of professional nursing practice, as well as with all licensure/registration requirements applicable to the nursing role.
• Maintains an environment of patient care that is safe and compliant with regulatory agency standards.
• Adheres to the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (ANA, 2001) in all aspects of professional practice.
• Contributes to the formulation and achievement of goals on the unit, within the Division of Nursing and Patient Care Services, and the Institute.
• Participates in unit, program-based, and divisional committees, councils, and initiatives.
• Accepts additional responsibilities as needed.
• Participates in QA/QI projects for the unit and the Division of Nursing and Patient Care Services.
• Supports research activities within the unit, Division of Nursing and Patient Care Services, and the Institute.
• Works collaboratively and functions as an effective member of the health care team.
• Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively with peers and co-workers.
• Effectively addresses and manages conflicts.
• Demonstrates effectiveness as a contributing member to the multidisciplinary health care team.
• Delegates as appropriate and supervises assistive personnel in their provision of patient care.
• Functions in the charge nurse role when necessary, collaborating with staff and coordinating flow of patients into the infusion areas.
• Seeks opportunities to foster professional growth.
• Identifies areas for professional growth.
• Formulates professional goals, objectives and methods for accomplishing these.
• Attends in-services, workshops and seminars.
• Shares information gained with colleagues.
• Facilitates professional growth of self and others by acting as a preceptor and mentor for new staff.
• Collaborates in preparing professional reports, articles and presentations for colleagues and the public.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to work as an effective member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated skills in critical thinking, problem solving, and ability to make independent decisions.
• Ability to function in a busy work setting with patients with complex needs.
• Education: Associate degree, Nursing. Baccalaureate degree in Nursing strongly preferred. If Associate degree in Nursing, must complete BSN degree within 4 years.
• Experience: 1 year (or equivalent) of nursing experience in area where venous access is a primary responsibility.
• Licenses/Certifications/Registrations: Licensed as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts required. Certification in Venous Access Nursing preferred – VA-BC or CRNI.