Summary

The Oncology/Hematology/Infusion Registered Nurse is part of the Close to Me Cancer Care Service (CTM) - a traveling care team that transports medication to the Lexington VA HCS CBOCs for clinic appointments to both administer hands-on oncology care and parenteral treatments.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written/spoken English
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program
• Upon achievement of a State license - the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
• (VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G6) OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing - possession of a current - full - active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
• Current - full - active and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or the District of Columbia
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements - but do not possess the required licensure - may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to 2 years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification
• Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates and if appropriate - the level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13011897
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I Level I Delivers fundamental knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
• An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing with no additional professional nursing required
• Nurse I Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I Level 1 OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
• Nurse I Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I Level 2 OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I Level 2 OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience OR a Master's degree in a related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I Level 3 OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I Level 3 OR a Master's degree in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I Level 3 OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience OR a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - 1 of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III OR a Master's degree in related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III OR a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Preferred Experience Recent Professional Experience: Minimum of 2 years of recent - professional nursing experience in Oncology - Hematology and/or Infusion Therapy
• Chemotherapy/Immunotherapy Administration: Experience administering antineoplastic/non-neoplastic infusions
• Handle hazardous medications safely in accordance with established guidelines (e.g. - OSHA - ONS)
• Vascular Access Device Management: Demonstrate proficiency in managing central and peripheral venous access devices - including initiation - monitoring and troubleshooting
• Adverse Reaction Management: Identify prevent and manage infusion reactions and disease-related or treatment-related symptoms
• Patient & Family Education: Educate patients and caregivers regarding oncology treatments - potential side effects and home care instructions
• Regulatory Compliance: Knowledge of safe handling and disposal of hazardous drugs and medical waste - maintain compliance with infection control and safety standards
• Certification: ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Certificate and/or Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) credential preferred but not required
• This experience is not required - but candidates with this background are highly encouraged to apply
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Must be physically - mentally/emotionally fit to perform duties assigned
• A pre-placement physical examination is required for all FT/PT and intermittent employees identified by VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - must be completed prior to appointment
• Satisfactorily perform duties assigned
• This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear speech and manual dexterity
• Prolonged walking - standing - stooping - pushing pulling and lifting 50 lbs
• Transfer patients and objects
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials
• May be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
• Must be a flexible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and with patients who are combative with dementia or psychiatric disorders.

Duties

• The CTM RN utilizes specialized knowledge and judgement to deliver high quality and evidence-based care to patients and their families
• A team approach is used to identify - analyze and resolve patient care problems
• The CTM RN will monitor - track trends - and report ongoing care needs to the team
• The CTM RN provides a safe working environment while administering - handling - transporting - and disposing of antineoplastic drugs - non-neoplastic drugs - blood products - and medical waste
• The CTM RN oversees administration and management of various medical procedures and treatments in the oncology/infusion setting - including vascular access devices - infusion treatments - and therapeutic phlebotomies
• The CTM RN manages monitoring requirements for specific drugs - handling immediate infusion reactions - and preventing and managing disease-related symptoms and adverse events - such as chemo-related symptoms and immune-related adverse events - and non-chemotherapy related symptoms
• The CTM RN will travel to Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) settings
• The CTM RNs will be responsible to maintain mandatory fleet car use education annually
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Pay Plan: N01K Work Schedule: Full-time - 10 hours - no weekends - Shifts such as 0600-1630 Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized