Oncology & Chemotherapy Nurse Educator (RN) - Northwest Georgia Oncology (Outpatient)

The Oncology Clinical Resource Nurse & Chemotherapy Educator serves as a
dedicated clinical resource for oncology patients throughout their treatment
journey. This position is responsible for providing comprehensive chemotherapy
and immunotherapy education prior to treatment initiation, conducting ongoing
symptom assessment and triage, managing treatment-related toxicities,
coordinating supportive care interventions, and ensuring timely communication
between patients and the oncology care team. The RN functions as a critical
liaison between patients, physicians, advanced practice providers (APPs),
infusion services, pharmacy, and ancillary departments to promote patient
safety, improve treatment adherence, enhance the patient experience, and reduce
avoidable emergency department visits and hospital admissions.

Qualifications

Education: Associate's Degree required

Experience

* Three years of related experience. Requires a working knowledge of standard
practices and procedures, Minimum of three (3) years of nursing experience
required.
* One year of related experience. Requires a working knowledge of standard
practices and procedures, Experience in ambulatory/hospital oncology, infusion
services, nurse navigation, care coordination, or triage.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

* Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) certification
*Associated degree required, Bachelors preferred

Licenses & Certifications

* GEORGIA REGISTERED NURSE LICENSE
* HEALTHCARE PROVIDER (CPR)

Qualifications

Statement of Employment Philosophy

Being a part of Tanner Health is more than a job, it is a promise we make to
treat every patient with exceptional service every time they walk through our
doors. Service excellence is the foundation of our organizational culture and
the expectations we all set for each other, our patients, physicians and our
community. All employees agree to abide by a set of service standards. These
standards are the promise we make to provide the best care possible, and
represent our beliefs, values and who we strive to become. We each commit to
making Tanner Health a great place for our employees to work, for patients to
receive care and for physicians to practice medicine.

Job Definition

The Oncology Clinical Resource Nurse & Chemotherapy Educator serves as a
dedicated clinical resource for oncology patients throughout their treatment
journey. This position is responsible for providing comprehensive chemotherapy
and immunotherapy education prior to treatment initiation, conducting ongoing
symptom assessment and triage, managing treatment-related toxicities,
coordinating supportive care interventions, and ensuring timely communication
between patients and the oncology care team. The RN functions as a critical
liaison between patients, physicians, advanced practice providers (APPs),
infusion services, pharmacy, and ancillary departments to promote patient
safety, improve treatment adherence, enhance the patient experience, and reduce
avoidable emergency department visits and hospital admissions.

Essential Functions

* Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy & Treatment Education: The Oncology Clinical
Resource Nurse & Chemotherapy Educator is responsible for preparing patients
and caregivers for treatment by providing comprehensive education prior to
Day 1, Cycle 1 and reinforcing education throughout the continuum of care.
Conduct individualized treatment education appointments for all new
chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, biologic therapy, and
supportive treatment starts. Review the patient's diagnosis, treatment goals,
treatment schedule, and anticipated duration of therapy. Explain each
medication included in the treatment regimen. Educate patients and caregivers
regarding common and serious treatment-related side effects. Review symptom
management strategies and supportive care measures to minimize
treatment-related complications. Educate patients on infection prevention
practices, including hand hygiene, avoiding sick contacts, and monitoring for
signs of infection. Review all prescribed supportive medications, including
antiemetics, bowel regimens, growth factor support, pain medications, and
other treatment-related prescriptions. Verify patient understanding of
medication schedules and administration instructions. Assess barriers to care
including transportation, financial concerns, caregiver support, health
literacy, and psychosocial needs. Coordinate referrals to social work,
nutrition services, financial counseling, palliative care, pharmacy, and
other supportive resources as appropriate. Provide and review
disease-specific and treatment-specific educational materials. Utilize
teach-back methodology to validate patient and caregiver understanding.
Review after-hours and weekend access procedures and reinforce when patients
should contact the oncology team. Educate patients on symptoms requiring
immediate medical attention. Verify completion of all pretreatment
requirements including laboratory testing, treatment consents, insurance
authorization, and supportive medication prescriptions. Document all
education provided within the electronic medical record.
* Oncology Triage & Symptom Management: The Oncology Clinical Resource Nurse &
Chemotherapy Educator serves as the primary clinical contact for patients
receiving active cancer treatment and provides ongoing assessment, symptom
management, care coordination, and clinical decision-making between scheduled
provider visits.
* Rapid Clinical Assessment & Risk Stratification: Respond to patient phone
calls, patient portal messages, and clinical inquiries related to symptoms,
treatment concerns, laboratory results, and medication questions. Conduct
comprehensive nursing assessments utilizing established oncology triage
protocols and clinical judgment. Perform rapid risk stratification to
identify patients requiring urgent intervention. Recognize and appropriately
escalate oncologic emergencies and treatment-related complications.
* Same-Day Clinical Decision Making: Determine the most appropriate level of
care based on clinical assessment. Coordinate same-day or next-day
appointments with physicians and APPs as clinically indicated. Facilitate
urgent evaluations to prevent treatment delays and avoid unnecessary
Emergency Department utilization. Communicate treatment recommendations and
follow-up plans to patients and caregivers.
* Treatment Tolerance Monitoring: Monitor patients between visits for
chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and supportive
treatment-related side effects. Assess treatment tolerance and patient
response to therapy. Evaluate and manage common treatment-related symptoms.
Reinforce symptom management education and treatment expectations throughout
the course of care. Identify patients requiring provider evaluation,
treatment modification, or supportive care interventions.
* Medication Management: Manage supportive care protocols under
provider-approved standing orders and clinical guidelines.
* Review and process prescription refill requests. Assess medication adherence
and patient understanding of prescribed therapies. Coordinate management of:
Antiemetic regimens, Bowel management protocols, Hydration recommendations,
Pain management support. Growth factor support medications. Collaborate with
providers and pharmacy services regarding medication access, prior
authorizations, and treatment-related medication concerns.
* Laboratory & Diagnostic Result Management: Review laboratory and diagnostic
results according to provider direction and established workflows. Identify
abnormal findings requiring intervention or escalation. Coordinate timely
follow-up for: Electrolyte abnormalities, Critical laboratory values,
Dehydration, Blood product support, Additional testing, Repeat laboratory
monitoring. Arrange clinic or infusion center visits for supportive
interventions such as: Intravenous hydration, Electrolyte replacement,
Injections, Additional monitoring. Communicate laboratory results and care
recommendations to patients in a timely manner.
* Provider Communication & Escalation: Serve as a liaison between patients,
oncologists, APPs, infusion staff, pharmacy, and ancillary departments.
Ensure timely communication of urgent clinical findings and patient concerns.
Escalate patient issues requiring treatment modification, hospitalization, or
specialist consultation. Collaborate with providers to develop and implement
individualized care plans. Facilitate continuity of care across clinic,
infusion, inpatient, and emergency care settings.
* Documentation & Care Coordination: Document all patient interactions,
assessments, education, interventions, and follow-up plans in the electronic
medical record. Maintain accurate and timely documentation that supports
quality care and regulatory compliance. Track unresolved patient concerns and
ensure appropriate follow-up is completed. Coordinate referrals to supportive
services including social work, nutrition, palliative care, survivorship, and
financial counseling.

Compliance Statement

Employee performs within the prescribed limits of Tanner Health's Ethics and
Compliance program. Is responsible to detect, observe, and report compliance
variances to their immediate supervisor, the Compliance Officer, or the Hotline.

Qualifications

Education: Associate's Degree

Experience

Three years of related experience. Requires a working knowledge of standard
practices and procedures Minimum of three (3) years of nursing experience
required.

One year of related experience. Requires a working knowledge of standard
practices and procedures Experience in ambulatory/hospital oncology, infusion
services, nurse navigation, care coordination, or triage.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

* Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) certification Preferred

Licenses and Certifications

Georgia Registered Nurse License

Healthcare Provider (CPR)

Contact with Others: Performance of job requires contact with others