Nurse (RN) - Cancer Center
Massachusetts General Hospital(MGH)

Practice Nurse in Mass General Cancer Center

Summary of Position:

Mass General Cancer Center is at the forefront in providing specialized, coordinated cancer care and includes over 500 dedicated cancer specialists and more than 30 multidisciplinary disease centers and programs. The Practice Nurse practices at a high level of autonomy and accountability in collaboration with the multidisciplinary care team to provide a continuum of patient care from prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, palliation, bereavement and survivorship. They are integral in coordinating patient care through specialized clinical centers and programs, including our partners in radiation oncology, surgery and clinical research, to develop and implement a personalized care plan for each patient aimed to achieve optimum clinical outcomes.

The Practice Nurse systematically and continuously collects and assesses data related to patient health status to develop, execute, and evaluate the plan of care in the ambulatory/outpatient care setting. They provide necessary assessments, administer treatments, and communicate with the multidisciplinary care team. The Practice Nurse provides patient and family education and psychosocial and emotional support. They ensure that care is safe, holistic, efficient, effective, timely and meets the cultural, spiritual, and ethnic needs of each patient and family.

Specific Clinical Responsibilities:

The Practice Nurse serves as a contact with patients at home and in the ambulatory/outpatient setting to ensure optimal clinical management in collaboration with attending physicians, advanced practice providers, fellow nurses, support staff and other members of the multidisciplinary care team.

• Communicates with patients via daily telephone triage and Gateway messages.

• Assists in triage of symptom management and medical urgencies/emergencies to attending physicians and advanced practice providers and guides the patient to the appropriate level of care in the appropriate time frame.

• Monitors patients at home for anticipated chemotherapy/surgery/radiation-associated toxicities, and screening for unanticipated toxicities/events.

• Coordinates home services including, but not limited to, visiting nursing, palliative care and hospice, home infusion, laboratory services and monitoring, etc.

• Coordinates and performs blood draws and routine flushing and maintenance of central lines, including dressing changes.

• Coordinates, performs, and documents injections and vaccinations per protocol.

• Coordinates, performs and documents intravenous therapies within the practice and in collaboration with the Short Stay Infusion Unit and Yawkey 8 Infusion.

• Assists attending physicians and advanced practice providers with outpatient diagnostic and therapeutic procedures including, but not limited to, bone marrow biopsies, lumbar punctures, etc.

• Educates patient and families about their disease, treatment plan, medications, and home care needs.

• Provides assistance with disability forms, FMLA forms, Advanced Directives, and pre-authorizations as needed.

• Assesses psychosocial needs of patients and families. Communicates with social services or psych for follow-up.

Practice Nurse Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills

• Ability to problem-solve, function as a resource to other members of the multidisciplinary care team and resolves complex issues on behalf of providers and patients.

• Comfort in a practice environment that promotes patient-centered care and willingness to advocate for patients and families.

• Exceptional organizational skills and flexibility to manage multiple tasks and adapt to quickly changing situations.

• Knowledge of computer applications necessary to function in an ambulatory/outpatient setting

• Maintains and updates clinical knowledge and skills, as they relate to specialty practice and clinical expertise, based on the most up-to-date knowledge, research and current evidence-based practices.

• Flexibility to work seamlessly within different specialty clinics.

Qualifications
Qualifications:

• Current Massachusetts licensure as a Registered Nurse required

• Graduate of an accredited nursing program required

• American Heart Association BLS certification required

• BSN strongly preferred

• Knowledge and experience in medical oncology nursing preferred

• OCN certification desirable

EEO Statement
Massachusetts General Hospital is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.