Position summary:
This Oncology Clinical Research RN is responsible for the clinical research activities for cancer clinical research studies conducted at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. The RN works collaboratively with other staff and provides services, as assigned by the supervisor, in furtherance of the university’s mission and goals. The primary objectives of this position are to recruit, screen, monitor and document the subjects’ responses to treatment. The RN provides monitoring and clinical expertise to ensure protocol adherence and accurate data collection. In addition to direct research responsibilities, the individual is this position is responsible for mentoring OHSU or affiliate site staff members, and identifying opportunities for and implementing process improvement.
Key Responsibilities:
Clinical: Oversees and assists in providing and assuring the highest standard of care for subjects involved in oncology clinical trials at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute.
- Initiates protocol screening and verifies eligibility for identified patients. Participates in the informed consent process through provision of detailed patient and family information of the appropriate protocol.
- Functions as a primary nurse for specific study population(s). Under the direction of a credentialed provider, the research nurse is responsible for evaluating current diagnosis information, ordering diagnostic tests and study medications to ensure protocol adherence, therapeutic interventions, sample acquisition, documentation of variances, ensuring appropriate billing process, and completion of accurate data collection.
- Provides telephone triage for lab/symptoms assessment, information, therapeutic intervention, and appropriate MD follow-up for protocol patients.
- Performs specific procedures appropriate to patient population including but not limited to venipunctures.
- Reinforces patient and family information regarding treatment options, specific drug administration, test/procedure aspects, and expected toxicity management.
- Coordinates the dispensing of study medications in accordance with specific protocol.
- Collaborates with nursing colleagues, and other members of the health care team, to insure smooth transitions and optimal patient care management.
- Reports adverse events in a timely fashion as required by specific clinical trial and by federal regulations.
- Facilitates development of study coordinators.
- Reviews protocol with principal investigator and other staff members to determine study feasibility.
- Provides appropriate documentation of study encounters, adverse events and concomitant medications in source document.
- Provides evidence-based nursing care consistent with the accepted professional standard related to their particular condition or therapy.
- Provides care and treatment that are consistent with the research protocol guiding their participation.
- Provides individualized treatment and monitoring to accommodate individual needs, to the extent allowed by the protocol, and that in all cases participant safety, comfort and well-being will be placed above research requirements.
- Provides prompt assessment and appropriate response to changes in condition or untoward responses to research procedures.
- Helps patients identify goals for treatment and study participation.
- Creates personal relationships with patients and ensure appropriate communication channels.
- Communicates and collaborates effectively with members of the clinical research team to assure coordinated, high quality care.
- Ensures that information about their patient’s care and condition is discussed and communicated with confidentiality, and that care is being appropriately documented.
- Ensures that, while at the Knight Cancer Institute, the patient will have a sense of being cared for as an individual, and that they will receive prompt, courteous, and individualized services from nurses and patient care staff.
- Empowers and helps the patient to develop an understanding of their condition, research participation and treatment, and be able to manage self-care as appropriate after treatment is completed.
- Involves the patient with discussions and decisions about their plan of care and research participation.
Administrative:
- Attends study initiation meetings
- Attends monitor visits, as needed
- Beacon validation
- Billing schedule review
- Assists with FDA inspections
- Assists with query resolution
- SAE grading and documentation
- Other assigned duties
Process Improvement:
- Identifies opportunities for and implements process improvements, in collaboration with others within the Knight Cancer Institute.
Training/Mentoring of OHSU Knight staff members and Affiliate Hospital staff members:
- Mentors clinical research staff members, as assigned
- Participates in mentoring program of affiliate site Research Nurse shadowing at OHSU.
General:
The OHSU Clinical registered nurse (RN) provides compassionate, evidence-based, and efficient care to individuals, families, communities and patient populations. The Clinical RN's care delivery is consistent with the Oregon Nurse Practice Act, the ANA Scope and Standards of Practice, and the ANA Code of Ethics. The Clinical RN demonstrates the professional role obligations of scientist, leader, and knowledge transferor [Onsomble Model of the Professional Role™]. Professional accountability enriches the Clinical RN's engagement as a leader in promoting an inter-professional culture of collaborative decision-making, innovation, life-long learning, and teamwork. The Clinical RN exemplifies the principles of a Culture of Safety by committing to a Just Culture, a Reporting Culture, a Learning Culture, and an Engaged Informed Culture.
Length of Orientation – Experienced Nurse
- External candidates: OHSU & Nursing New Employee Orientation (NEO) for about a week.
- Either Transition to Practice (TTP) Program Specialty Fellowship/Fellowship Learning Pathway or Orientation experience for 3 days-26 weeks, depending on the care area and relevant experience. An employment service agreement may apply.