The Infusion Registered Nurse (RN) in the GI Care Neighborhood provides direct and indirect care to GI Oncology patients, including those participating in research. This position serves as the infusing RN during a patient’s treatment visit. The nurse as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide collaborative, patient centered care. This nurse will be responsible for nursing care and assessment, patient and family education, and safe handling of chemotherapy, blood products, and supportive medications. This nurse will build rapport and trust with the patient population and will be expected to communicate and work effectively with other members of the team.
Nursing Care and Assessment
- Demonstrate knowledge of standard treatment and potential side effects of medications administered during the patient’s stay.
- Perform nursing assessment, review relevant lab results, assess pain and other symptoms as needed.
- Assure the safety of patients by following all procedures related to verification of orders when administering medications, including chemotherapy, and blood products.
- Document all nursing care activities accurately and in a timely fashion.
Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs
- Demonstrate an awareness of the potentially hazardous nature of many of the agents administered and uses correct precautions when handling them.
- Follow all procedures regarding safe disposal of any materials used in the administration of chemotherapy or other hazardous agents and blood products.
Patient and Family Education
- Provide patient and family education in coordination with treatment and care plan.
- Conduct learning needs assessment for patient and caregiver(s).
- Ensure patients have clinic contact information and understand when to call if symptoms arise or persist post infusion therapy.
Communication and Teamwork
- Communicate or escalate patient symptoms and concerns to team provider as needed
- Collaborate with the greater GI team to provide effective and efficient patient care
- Request consultation from social work, dietician, or spiritual care staff when patient's situation indicates.
Professional Development and Clinic Engagement
- Opportunity to attend educational events: Nursing Rounds, Swartz Rounds, Conferences, etc.
- Opportunity to participate in committee work, special projects
- Continuing education benefit (financial and time off support)
- Tuition reimbursement