Job Number:

The Clinical Nurse I (CNI) is a first level professional nursing position who specializes in caring for patients diagnosed with cancer. The CNI is the patient's first line of communication and helps to coordinate the many aspects for care for the patient while receiving chemotherapy and providing supportive care to significant others. The CNI administers care by means of the nursing process and is responsible for providing safe, effective nursing care for patients, independently and collaboratively. As a member of the healthcare team, the professional nurse continuously assesses, delegates, and monitors patient care in an ethical way to a diverse patient population. The CNI may provide chemotherapy in the Infusion Center at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital. Multiple Vacancies

Typical Duties

• Reviews patient health history
• Reviews medical record for chemotherapy orders, consents, history and physical, pregnancy status, allergies and laboratory results prior to initiating every treatment
• Performs chemotherapy dose calculations
• Assesses for and documents toxicities to chemotherapy/biotherapy
• Conducts initial, ongoing patient assessment and ensure patients comfort during infusion procedure
• Assesses, monitors, and documents patients physical and emotional status
• Establishes and maintains peripheral IVs and central venous access devices, including restoring patency of central line catheters
• Administers hazardous and non-hazardous drugs, inclusive of chemotherapy/biotherapy, blood products, and intravenous fluids
• Prioritizes patient care based on laboratory results
• Communicates directly with pharmacy regarding status of chemotherapy/biotherapy drugs
• Administers medications intravenously and by injection
• Monitors patients for, and treats patients with, adverse reaction to medications that may arise
• Monitors IV tubing, IV sites, medication flow, and patient response to drug therapy
• Assists Oncologist with Intrathecal chemotherapy administration as assigned
• Maintains infection control practices, such as hand hygiene, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Educates patients/family about cancer, treatment plan and side effects
• Facilitates the learning of patients, to plan for, how to manage symptoms throughout treatment by using an interpreter when warranted
• Establishes a therapeutic nurse-patient, nurse-family relationship
• Demonstrates competence in the safe and effective use of clinical equipment necessary for providing safe patient care
• Makes appropriate and timely decisions in an emergency situation
• Applies knowledge of standard operating policies and procedures
• Establishes nursing diagnosis, problems and desired outcomes and interventions based on the Treatment plan and patient needs
• Collaborates with patient, significant other and other healthcare team members in planning care and discharge
• Provides appropriate education and guidance to patients and significant others on symptom management and complications of therapy and when to contact a health care professional
• Collects assessment data and develops an individualized plan of care in collaboration with patient/ significant other and other health care team members. The plan is developed with consideration to the patient's age appropriate needs, cultural and spiritual values; learning needs, biophysical, psychosocial, environmental needs, self-care capabilities, safety, infection control, and nursing standards of practice
• Performs ongoing and scheduled reassessments according to Divisional/department standards
• Establishes nursing diagnosis, problem, desired outcome, and interventions based on assessed needs
• Performs transfer assessments and handoff of patients to other levels of care or discharge

Reporting Relationships

Reports to the Nurse Coordinator II

Minimum Qualifications:

• Licensed as a Registered Professional Nurse in the State of Illinois.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification or able obtain one within two (2) weeks of starting. (must provide proof of card at the time of interview if already obtained)
• Current Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) provider card or must have the ability to provide an ONS provider card as proof of successful completion no later than three weeks after employment start date. (must provide proof of card at the time of interview if already obtained)

Preferred Qualifications

• One (1) year of infusion/chemotherapy nursing experience.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

• Knowledge about various medication, including chemotherapy/biotherapy
• Knowledge of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) and principles of confidentiality and privacy
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills aimed at a diverse patient pollution
• Demonstrate analytical and organizational, problem solving, critical thinking and conflict management/resolution skills.
• Ability to organize tasks base on multidisciplinary care needs
• Ability to provide excellent customer service and show empathy
• Ability to work independently in a structure setting and with the multidisciplinary team
• Ability to communicate with doctors, APNs, pharmacist about patient treatment plans
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor and composure when challenged
• Ability to remain calm during emergencies
• Ability to consistently push, pull, twist, turn, bend, kneel, stoop, lift and reach above shoulder and stand for prolonged periods of time
• Ability to walk extensively, lift moderately heavy objects, and climb stairs
• Ability to tolerate exposure to unpleasant noise, odor, and temperature
• Ability to use electronic medical record (EMR) to collect and document patient information
• Ability to communicate with the doctor on behalf of the patient/family
• Flexible and adaptable to changes in patient assignment
• Strong attention to detail

VETERAN PREFERENCE

PLEASE READ

When applying for employment with the Cook County Health & Hospitals System, preference is given to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for not less than 6 months of continuous service.

To take advantage of this preference a Veteran must:

• Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
• Identify self as a Veteran on the employment application by answering yes to the question by answering yes to the question, "Are you a Military Veteran?"
• Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation at time of application filing. Please note: If you have multiple DD214s, 215s, or NGB 22S, Please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (Before 9/11) or the Department of Homeland Security (After 9/11). Discharge papers must list and Honorable Discharge Status. Discharge papers not listing an Honorable Discharge Status are not acceptable.

OR

A copy of a valid State ID Card or Driver's License which identifies the holder of the ID as a Veteran, may also be attached to the application at time of filing.

If items are not attached, you will not be eligible for Veteran Preference.

VETERANS MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS OR APPLICABLE STATE ID CARD OR DRIVER'S LICENSE AT TIME OF INTERVIEW

MUST MEET REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF APPLICATION

BENEFITS PACKAGE

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Basic Term Life Insurance
• Pension Plan
• Deferred Compensation Program
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
• You may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• 100% Tuition Reimbursement for nursing-related programs

For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link: http://www.cookcountyrisk.com/

*Degrees awarded outside the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States' territories and Canada must be credentialed by an approved U.S. credential evaluation service belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). Original credentialing documents must be presented at time of interview.

*Please note all offers of Employment are contingent upon the following conditions: satisfactory professional & employment references, healthcare and criminal background checks, appropriate licensure/certifications and the successful completion of a physical and pre-employment drug screen.

*CCHHS is strictly prohibited from conditioning, basing or knowingly prejudicing or affecting any term or aspect of County employment or hiring upon or because of any political reason or factor.

COOK COUNTY HEALTH AND HOSPITALS SYSTEM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER