Title : Radiation Oncology Nurse (RN)

Department : Nursing

Type : Full Time

Location : Memorial City Houston, TX

Job Details :

"You can make a difference in the life of an oncology patient and find your career satisfaction by joining our team of healthcare professionals today."

About Oncology Consultants

Oncology Consultants has been a premier adult medical oncology & hematology practice in Houston, TX for over 35 years. Our healthcare team is committed to provide state of the art cancer treatment in a caring environment as we continue to expand our oncology services in the metropolitan region. 

About the Position

The term nurse clinician describes the nurse whose educational preparation is at the generalist level. The nurse functions in an expanded role but does not have a master’s or doctoral degree. The oncology nurse clinician is recognized in this practice, in accordance with the Oncology Nursing Society’s position, as a registered nurse who has a cancer-specific knowledge base and has demonstrated clinical expertise in oncology nursing practice, specifically in relation to the sub-specialized field of Radiation Oncology. The goal of the Radiation Oncology Nurse Clinician (RONC) in oncology patient care is to promote the optimal function of the individual / family throughout the continuum of the disease experience. This is achieved by integration of physiological and psychosocial components, utilizing the nursing process:

  • Assessment: Identify resources and deficits
  • Planning: Formulate goals of care, patient prioritie
  • Intervention: Physical care, patient education, referral, and / or counseling in order to assist the patient to reach health care goals
  • Evaluation: Ongoing assessment of effectiveness of intervention, with modifications as needed

Shift Schedule:

  • Mon - Fri: 8am - 5pm

Benefits:

  • Insurances: Life, medical, dental, short term and long term disability
  • Free parking
  • PTO
  • Holidays 
  • Competitive salary

Responsibilities:

Scope of Nursing Practice: The oncology nurse clinician performs independent, interdependent, and dependent nursing actions and demonstrates personal professional accountability. The RONC is a registered professional nurse who is expected to deliver direct and indirect patient care. This care includes, but is not limited to:

  • All actions which are defined as basic nursing
  • Collaboration with other members of the health care team in order to coordinate nursing care, maintain continuity of health care
  • Recognition of the uniqueness and wholeness of the individual and the importance of social relationships for the person living with cancer
  •  Advocates the individual’s freedom to choose treatment and determine the direction of their lives throughout the disease process
  • Participate in continuing education programs and pursue professional development

Areas of Nursing Practice: The RONC will comply with the practice policies and procedures, as published and on site in each practice location. The individual practitioner is responsible to review and implement updates as they are made available. In the performance of clinical activities, the RONC is expected to be aware of and utilize:

  • Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy Guidelines and Recommendations for Practice. Oncology Nursing Society, 2019
  • Manual for Radiation Oncology Nursing Practice and Education, 5th Ed. Oncology Nursing Society, 2021
  • United States Pharmacopeia General Chapter <800>: Hazardous Drugs – Handling in Healthcare Settings. Oncology Nursing Society, 2016.
  • Core Curriculum for Oncology Nursing, 6th Edition. Oncology Nursing Society, 2019 V. Access Device Standards of Practice for Oncology Nursing. Oncology Nursing Society, 2017.
  • Any accreditation standards, including APEX

Specific areas of nursing practice essential to optimal function with Oncology Consultants include

I. Patient Education: Address knowledge and skill deficits through individual and/or group instruction. Areas of education include, but are not limited to:

  • Cancer prevention and detection
  • Disease process
  • Radiation modalities and site-specific effects
  • Nutrition
  • Community Resources
  • Skills required for self-care behaviors

II. Patient Assessment

A. Psychosocial Status: Address psyco-emotional deficits through counseling and/or referral

  • Coping
  • Grief B.

B. Physiological Status: Address resources and deficits relating to the patient's physiological condition:

  • Comfort
  •  Protective hmechanisms
  • Nutrition
  • Mobility
  • Ventilation
  • Elimination
  • Sexuality

III. Oncology Nursing Interventions

A. Technical Aspects of Cancer Nursing include all basic nursing activities in addition to those specific to oncology patient care

1. Demonstrate radiation competency in:

  • Site-specific considerations of radiation care
  • Skin and wound care
  • Monitoring patients throughout therapy
  • Management of technical systems utilized in practice
  • Adherence to clinical best practices as defined by the accrediting body and/or national standards

2. Demonstrate proficiency in routine clinical procedures, as

  • Handling of blood and body fluids
  • Utilizing laboratory equipment, according to practice policies
  • Maintenance of supplies and equipment for optimal work environment

3. Function as liaison between patient / health care system / lay public

IV. Professional accountability is expected of each professional registered nurse, in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act of Texas and the policies and procedures of the practice:

A. Knowledge of laws governing the practice of nursing in Texas

  • identification as RN via ID badge during all patient contact

B. Current licensure by the State Board of Nurse Examiners

  • Reported to administration with each renewal period

C. Documentation according to practice standards includes written notes and the utilization of computer technology appropriately and effectively

1. Nursing Actions

  • Interventions performed in the office for oncology patient care
  • Telephone contact / information and instructions

2. Patient Response to therapy

V. Administrative Role includes indirect nursing activities which promote quality cancer patient care within the practice. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Development of education programs that address areas identified in Section
  • This includes ongoing evaluation and modification of content, tools, and methods.
  • Time management of clinic periods, both physician and nursing
  • Collaborative staff meetings for upgrading / revision of clinical services and nursing practice
  • Cost-effective time and equipment/supply management
  •  Plan and provide adequate nursing coverage
  • Maintain working relationships with pharmaceutical, medical supply, and home health care representatives
  • Work collaboratively with clinic support staff to maintain patient workflow throughout the day
  • Provide clinical information required by the clerical staff to obtain authorization for care, optimize patient insurance resources
  • Function in the role of Team Leader to coordinate clinical care in the office setting

1.Supervise staff

  • RNs, LVNs
  • Assistive personnel
  •  Nursing / Lab Assistants
  • Pharmacy Technicians
  • (Clerical Staff

2. Coordinate care with physician staff members

3. Report to Nursing Manager and / or Practice Administrator

Maintain Oncology Nursing Certification (OCN) or obtain as soon as eligible.

VI. Community:

  • Provide / promote educational programs for other nurses and / or health care providers addressing cancer patient care
  • Participate in development of standard procedures for cancer care in community hospitals
  • Participate in community public education programs, as screening and detection, ACS, health fairs, and other projects.
Requirements:
Chemotherapy infusion/Oral chemotherapy
  • Oncology Nursing experience 
  • Managing side effects of cancer and cancer treatments
  • Good IV skills
  • OCN preferred
  • Computer literate
  • Bilingual - A+ but not mandatory

Oncology Consultants is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.

Medical Center | Memorial City | Sugar Land | Katy | Willowbrook | Southwest Northwest | West Houston

Apply today. Our short application process takes less than 5 minutes with your phone, tablet or computer.