Career Center

Oncology Nursing is a highly specialized area that targets diagnosing, treating and caring for people who have all types of cancer and cancer related illnesses. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State-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). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (Reference 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. 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. Preferred Experience: Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) BLS & ACLS required 3-5 years Oncology, Medical/Surgical and Telemetry Experience ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Certificate. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases\nPaid 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)\nRetirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA\nInsurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)\nLicensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: 4 DAY SHIFT VACANCIES: 7:30AM-8:00PM - Rotating Weekends & Holidays 4 NIGHT SHIFT VACANCIES: 7:30AM-8:00PM - Rotating Weekends & Holidays\nShift preference to be discussed and determined during interviews. The registered nurse provides care and counseling of persons or 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 (Illinois Board of Nursing). The nurse's primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, or community (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses). Oncology Nursing is a highly specialized area that targets diagnosing, treating and caring for people who have all types of cancer and cancer related illnesses. The inpatient unit provides direct patient care to those in need of side effect management related to chemotherapy treatment, those patients who need closer observation and are chemotherapy naïve, those who are neutropenic and need to be admitted until their blood counts recover, and a mixture of other general medical patients with various diagnoses that may require continuous telemetry monitoring. The Outpatient Day Treatment Center provides the necessary treatment regimen for the Medical/Oncology population. Chemotherapy treatments are anywhere from simple to complex multidrug regimen as an outpatient. Patients are also seen for labs prior to physician visits to determine continuation of chemotherapy and dosing for next regimen. Patients are seen in the outpatient setting as well for symptom and side effect management. This area works closely with the 4th floor clinic staff. Radiation Oncology extends primarily to patients diagnosed with cancer. Cases may be for cure or palliation depending upon the diagnosis, site, and state of disease. Radiation Oncology treats patients with external beam radiotherapy. Simulation equipment to localize the anatomy to be irradiated and computerized dosimetry is used. The treatment machines available and used for external beam therapy are linear accelerators, which provide x-ray and electron beams. The area is equipped to handle emergency patients, utilizing our on-call staff. Continuum of care is provided in our follow-up clinics. All staff in these three connected areas recognizes signs and symptoms of distress and initiate appropriate interventions. The RN staff provides a safe environment for all patients with altered sensorium due to medication or acute/chronic illness. The RN is aware and follows protocols to maintain this safety. The RN provides emotional support for families and patient. The RN is educated and follows SOP related to dignified departures and supports end of life Issues/concerns. The RN is educated and responsible for operating all associated medical equipment specific to the unit. The RN adheres to hospital policy, SOP, Protocols and Guidelines regarding documentation in the electronic chart (CPRS) and other approved documents released; alteration or deletion of sensitive data are unacceptable. The RN is expected to act as a patient advocate. All patients have an individualized plan of care developed by the interdisciplinary treatment team. Goals of care provided are inclusive of but not limited to:\n- To provide the necessary treatment regime for the patient\n- To adhere/comply with the hospital/JCAHO standards\n- To provide patient care in a cost-effective manner\n- To maintain on-going communication with all health care providers\n- To appropriately document all patient care activity/treatments in the electronic Medical Record/BCMA\n- To report any identified patient safety issues to management\n- To support patient centered care initiatives specifically warm hand off and hourly rounding Telework: NOT Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: NOT Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]