Clinical Studies RN II, Radiation Oncology

Overview

JOB SUMMARY

Under general supervision, provide specialized nursing care/treatment to a specific group of patients in the Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center (WFBCCC); participate in management and coordination of clinical research studies; and provide supervision to nursing / nursing support personnel. Provide cross coverage as needed in the Cancer Center’s Protocol Office. Cross train in order to support the other nurses when needed.  Coordinate efforts related to clinical oncology studies, primarily investigator-initiated or investigator-initiated industry-sponsored clinical trials. Primary areas of focus are cross departmental trials in several areas (treatment trials, supportive care, cancer prevention and control).

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

Minimum Acceptable Qualifications:

1. Graduation from accredited school of nursing
2. One year of nursing experience, preferably in a related field, research, acute care, or a specialty area

Additional Desirable Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Nursing
2. Three or more years of nursing experience
3. Documented education and/or training in the oncology field

LICENSURE / CERTIFICATION

1. North Carolina RN license
2. Must complete the CITI certification for Human Subject Research if not already completed
3. All additional required WakeOne training for research coordinators

SKILLS / QUALIFICATIONS

• EPIC/WakeOne proficiency to include appropriate documentation of research notes
• Good interpersonal and communication skills (verbal, non-verbal, and listening skills)
• Ability to provide indirect patient care
• Basic computer skills required

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Actively screen patients for protocol enrollment, utilizing knowledge of oncology nursing to review pathology, laboratory results, scans and physician notes to verify patient eligibility.
2. Serve as a nursing expert of specialized patient care, including direct patient care, assessment, documentation, treatment intervention and patient/family education and support in accordance with education/experience, established policies and procedures, and state licensure requirements.
3. Collaborate with physicians and other health care providers to plan, develop, budget, implement, coordinate, manage, monitor and evaluate patient care guidelines/protocols for clinical programs and/or clinical research studies; assist with developing and implementing nursing care policies/procedures for the unit/area.
4. Work with WFBCCC investigators and staff to maximize identification of eligible study patients for recruitment to research protocols either by referrals or from the current pool of clinical patients.  Recruit, consent and enroll patients onto trials once eligible patients are identified.
5. Track new and follow-up patients for eligibility and recruitment:
   • Enter patient status information into the cancer center database (ORIS)
   • Record eligibility assessment and outcome
   • Educate other clinic staff and physicians regarding protocol specific requirements
6. Follow care of protocol patients while on protocol treatment to include the following:

• Coordinate with the physician and clinic staff to assure that all protocol requirements are scheduled and ordered
• Review EPIC/WakeOne to ensure protocol compliance and appropriate data collection; verify that all appropriate labs and measurements are performed and ordered correctly
• Ensure that charts are clearly labeled for the appropriate drug
• Record and transmit protocol treatments funded by outside agencies; provide information to clinic billing office (this includes insurance contacts)
• Assess and enter the initial adverse event report and serious adverse events into the eIRB system
• Follow-up with the assigned regulatory contact to resolve any outstanding reporting requirements in a prompt and appropriate manner
• Provide constant communication with the assigned protocol specialist/data manager for any and all event reporting and for all needed data points

7. Link encounters appropriately according to the provided nursing grid in order to review and validate that patient’s bills are correct.
8. Perform the following ancillary duties:

• Collect blood samples (e.g. pharmacokinetic samples) and draw blood as necessary, running to special hematology, as necessary
• Collect data and blood work for protocols to maintain protocol requirements
• Work with home health, primary care physicians, research nurses and affiliates to arrange follow-up and treatment

9. Promote communication and collaborative activities between Radiation, Gynecological, Surgical and Medical Oncology staff, special laboratory staff, research personnel and investigators for multi-disciplinary (multimodality) research studies to ensure quality patient care, efficient and effective operation of protocol processes, and achievement of study-related objectives, especially accrual enhancement for WFBCCC studies.
10. Attend relevant investigational and professional meetings to keep abreast of current developments in the field. 
11. Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Fast paced, long hours, ability to deliver results
• Professionalism and customer service skills are a must at all times
• Occasionally subject to irregular hours