This position is open to current permanent employees of the Syracuse VA Medical Center and associated community-based outpatient clinics only.
The Infusion Registered Nurse will function as the infusion provider and care coordinator for a panel of patients through close collaboration with the treating hematologist/oncologist, pharmacy staff, scheduling staff, nursing management, and ancillary service providers. The role requires comprehensive knowledge of VAHCS, travel to various CBOCs outside of VAMC's metro area, familiarity with personnel in multiple departments, ability to relate well with patients and caregivers in stressful situations, and ability to advocate for the best interest of the patients with all clinical staff. The registered nurse provides care and counseling of persons in the promotion and maintenance of health and prevention of illness and injury based upon the nursing process which includes systematic data gathering, assessment, appropriate nursing judgment, and evaluation of human responses to actual or potential health problems through such services as case finding, health teaching, health counseling; provision of care supportive to or restorative of life and well-being; and executing medical regimens including administering medications and treatments prescribed by a licensed or otherwise legally authorized provider. The nurse's primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, or community (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses).
Infusion Nurse Clinical Practice:
- Serves as a point of contact for patients with cancers who are under direct care of a VA hematologist/oncologist.
- Coordinates and expedites care from diagnosis to treatment and its complications, and ultimately on survivorship/end of life care issues.
- Works closely with numerous disciplines to assure patients avoid missed opportunities in their healthcare.
- Analyzes and appropriately manages laboratory and radiology results and provides information to physicians and patients as appropriate.
- Advocates for holistic care through patient/family education and physician interaction and implements an educational plan to meet the patient care needs of the Hematology/oncology patient.
- Demonstrates sound judgement, flexibility, and strong decision-making skills in the delivery of patient care and readily identifies patient complications.
- Ability to work effectively with patients with a variety of medical and psychiatric condition; demonstrates physical and psychosocial assessment skills.
- Completes comprehensive nursing documentation according to standards.
- Treats all patients and families with dignity and respect.
- Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others (VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G6). The registered nurse is a proficient nurse who demonstrates proficiency in decision-making and using the nursing process for complex situations that effect performance outcomes at the point of care. Practice is enhanced through development of collegial relationships. This nurse demonstrates collaboration by using the group process to solve problems. The focus is on leadership in strategically planning long-term goals for the microsystem (unit, team, or workgroup) that impacts operations or resources. The proficient nurse demonstrates critical thinking with efficiency and accuracy in assessing and managing situations.
- Effectively uses the nursing process components of assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning implementation and evaluation in varied practice settings.
- Provides leadership in identifying and addressing ethical issues that impact clients and staff, including initiating and participating in ethical consultations Supports and enhances client self-determination. Serves as a resource for clients and staff in addressing ethical issues.
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
Work Schedule: Days, 0700-1530, Monday - Friday. May change depending on unit needs but will still be days.
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Starting at $67,328 Per Year (VN 00)