Registered Nurse, Lead Float/CCO

About City of Hope,
City of Hope's mission is to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer and diabetes. Founded in 1913, City of Hope has grown into one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the U.S., and one of the leading research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope research has been the basis for numerous breakthrough cancer medicines, as well as human synthetic insulin and monoclonal antibodies. With an independent, National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center that is ranked top 5 in the nation for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report at its core, City of Hope’s uniquely integrated model spans cancer care, research and development, academics and training, and a broad philanthropy program that powers its work. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California, a new cancer center in Orange County, California, and cancer treatment centers and outpatient facilities in the Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix areas.

The Lead Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible and accountable for coordinating safe, patient-centered nursing care, allocating staffing resources appropriately, and managing nursing resources to support optimum patient outcomes. The Lead RN plans, directs, and evaluates day-to-day nursing care with respect to leader, staff, and patient needs. They monitor and educate the nursing staff as appropriate and act as a mentor, coach, and clinical resource to clinical staff. The Lead RN supports and participates in the principles of shared governance and is accountable for practicing within the defined scope of practice for the Registered Nurse. The Lead RN will serve as a liaison between staff and leadership and share items of concern with the manager for follow-up. They may perform some administrative functions related to timekeeping and other operational needs, especially when the director is not on-site.

The successful candidate:

• Identifies patient and staffing problems/needs and sets priorities. Adjusts staffing to meet ongoing unit and census needs. Balance and publish staff schedules. Acts as an advocate and coordinator of patient care with other health care personnel and evaluates patient care measures instituted. Establishes priorities of patient care based on essential patient needs and available unit resources of time, personnel, equipment and supplies. Provides patient care as necessary to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Identifies emergency situations and independently initiates appropriate action.
• Resource for effective clinical management, utilizing the nursing process and demonstrating evidence of validation of clinical skills necessary for those activities associated with the care of the patients. Monitors staff competencies, mandatory education completion, attendance, etc., and reports any deficiencies to manager/director for follow-up. Receives and acknowledges employee feedback and shares it with manager/director as appropriate for follow-up. Takes prompt measures to prevent and address performance and behavior problems.
• Demonstrates appropriate delegation of tasks and duties in directing and coordinating health care team members, patient care and unit activities. Assists in completion of staff schedules and changes, assures adequate staff available to deliver care. Able to establish goals/objectives, prioritize, anticipate problems and implement plans. Serves as administration and departmental liaison. Performs as the Safety Officer/Employee Health nurse as needed. Responds to the needs of all departments in the facility as appropriate.
• Supports and assists with the development and actualization of the unit goals, strategic and performance improvement plan, and KPI’s. Responsible for the investigation of variations in the standards of care. Responsible for performance improvement as it relates to nursing. Documentation of pertinent statistics related to nursing should be maintained.
• Functions as a champion for staff education and excellent performance through orientation and ongoing training. Gather agenda items and organize agenda and materials for staff meetings. Ensures employee notification and participation in educational offerings as well as real time instruction regarding requirements and guidelines of regulatory agencies.
• The Lead Registered Nurse (RN) provides critical staffing to multiple patient care areas, including the Inpatient Units, Oncology/Specialty Clinic, Infusion, Evaluation and Treatment Center, Interventional Radiology, Radiation Oncology, Endoscopy, and Perioperative Services. They administer and monitor patients undergoing sedation/analgesia per physician order and hospital protocol. Upon hire, the RN must have an Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Chemotherapy Provider card and American Heart Association (AHA) Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification or obtain them before completing nursing orientation. The RN demonstrates the ability to interpret and operate cardiac and other invasive and noninvasive monitors, recognize normal/abnormal rhythms/trends, and institute appropriate interventions. They complete a Basic Electrocardiogram (ECG) course in the online learning management system and are skilled in caring for patients who are aggressive, agitated, in seclusion, or restrained. The RN is proficient in managing patients with IV lines, central lines, ports, chest tubes, pleural catheters, and tracheostomy tubes, as well as maintaining and caring for patients with an ostomy/ileostomy and urostomy. They administer medications via all routes, using the six rights and medication bar scanner, while monitoring patients for side effects. The RN is capable of collecting blood specimens and blood cultures, caring for, assessing, and monitoring patients with Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) and epidural catheters, and administering and monitoring blood products safely. They demonstrate knowledge and use of chemotherapeutic agents and medications, and competence in chemotherapy administration through ONS. Effective communication skills are essential for managing complex patient and family needs, and the RN conducts and reinforces patient education, including treatment plans/regimens, financial implications of care, symptom management, side effects, patient family responsibilities related to self-care, and available resources at home or at the facility.
• Follows established City of Hope and department policies, procedures, objectives, performance improvement, attendance, safety, environmental, and infection control guidelines, including adherence to the workplace code of Conduct and Compliance Plan.
• Practices a high level of integrity and honesty in maintaining confidentiality.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

Qualifications

Your qualifications should include:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• 3 years of oncology experience
• Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy Certificate
• ACLS, BLS through American Heart Association

City of Hope is an equal opportunity employer.

To learn more about our comprehensive benefits, click here: Benefits Information

City of Hope employees pay is based on the following criteria:  work experience, qualifications, and work location.