Mission Cancer + Blood, part of University of Iowa Health Care, is seeking a Staff Nurse to support our surgical oncology and cardiothoracic patient population.

The Staff Nurse at Mission Cancer + Blood provides specialized nursing care and support to surgical patients in an outpatient setting. Working closely with physicians, advanced practice providers, and other healthcare professionals, the Staff Nurse delivers comprehensive nursing care and supports patients throughout their treatment journey. This role involves performing nursing assessments, coordinating care, providing patient and family education, and facilitating communication between patients and the healthcare team. Care coordination activities include facilitating referrals, diagnostic testing, surgical planning, and follow-up care across multiple disciplines and healthcare settings. By providing personalized nursing care and supporting the coordination of services, the Staff Nurse contributes to continuity of care and promotes positive patient outcomes throughout the patient's treatment journey.

Duties to include:

Patient Assessment and Direct Nursing Care

·         Provide direct nursing care to patients undergoing surgery, considering the patient's condition, age, individualized needs, and treatment goals.

·         Collaborate with physicians, advanced practice providers, nursing staff, and other healthcare professionals in planning, implementing, and evaluating individualized patient care.

·         Perform nursing assessments, monitor patients' progress and response to surgery, and identify changes in condition, treatment-related complications, and adverse reactions.

·         Promptly recognize and respond to emergency situations and adverse reactions, providing appropriate nursing interventions and coordinating additional medical care as necessary.

·         Perform telephone triage of patient calls, assess patient concerns, provide appropriate nursing guidance, and facilitate medication refills and follow-up care as needed.

·         Accurately document nursing assessments, interventions, patient education, medication administration, and patient responses in the electronic medical record.

Care Coordination and Continuity of Care

·         Collaborate with the interdisciplinary healthcare team to develop and implement individualized care plans tailored to patients' clinical needs and treatment goals.

·         Coordinate and facilitate patient care across multiple disciplines and care settings, including Mission Cancer + Blood, University of Iowa Health Care, referring providers, and community healthcare resources.

·         Assist in coordinating diagnostic testing, surgical preparations, specialty referrals, and follow-up appointments to support timely and appropriate patient care.

·         Collaborate with social workers, case managers, and community resources to address patients' psychosocial needs, financial concerns, and access to supportive services.

·         Facilitate communication between patients, families, and the healthcare team to ensure patients understand their surgical plans and have access to necessary resources and support.

·         Collaborate with clinical and laboratory staff to support efficient patient flow, timely delivery of services, and continuity of care throughout the patient's surgery.

·         Communicate and coordinate with outside agencies, healthcare professionals, staff, and patients to facilitate transitions of care and ongoing surgical needs.

Patient and Family Education

·         Provide individualized education to patients and their families regarding upcoming surgery, surgical options, medications, procedures, symptom management, and follow-up care.

·         Educate patients and families regarding surgery-related side effects, potential complications, and symptoms requiring additional medical attention.

·         Explain laboratory, phlebotomy, and other nursing procedures to patients and family members in a professional, compassionate, and understandable manner.

·         Assess patients' understanding of their surgical plans and provide additional education and resources as necessary to support informed participation in their care.

·         Collaborate with the interdisciplinary healthcare team to identify patient education needs and ensure consistent communication throughout the continuum of care.

·         Serve as a resource to nursing staff and other healthcare professionals regarding patient care, clinical procedures, and established nursing practices.

·         Participate in staff education, orientation, and training activities as appropriate to support the delivery of safe, high-quality patient care.

Laboratory and Clinical Procedures

·         Perform Aseptic Non-Touch Technique (ANTT) when accessing Venous Access Devices (VADs) for routine blood collection, therapeutic phlebotomy, and other applicable nursing procedures.

·         Perform venipunctures and finger sticks to obtain blood specimens as ordered using established blood-draw techniques.

·         Follow established procedures to verify accurate patient identification and ensure appropriate specimen collection, labeling, and handling.

·         Verify, complete, and resolve laboratory and clinical orders in the electronic medical record.

·         Process laboratory requisition orders and generate accurate specimen labels in the Laboratory Information System (LIS).

·         Process and centrifuge specimens to obtain serum or plasma for testing in accordance with established protocols.

·         Assist with the collection, labeling, processing, and transportation of laboratory specimens as necessary.

·         Perform moderate-complexity and point-of-care testing in accordance with established standard operating procedures and applicable regulatory requirements.

·         Accurately record and document laboratory testing results in accordance with established policies, procedures, and regulations.

·         Perform quality control and quality assurance procedures to maintain compliance with internal and external regulatory requirements.

·         Maintain accurate records and documentation to support proficiency testing and compliance with Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) requirements and regulations.

·         Participate in proficiency testing in accordance with established procedures and applicable regulatory requirements.

·         Maintain inventory of laboratory and clinical supplies, materials, and equipment.

·         Clean and maintain laboratory equipment and instruments in accordance with established procedures and manufacturer guidelines.

·         Follow established infection prevention practices, safety protocols, and procedures to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases and maintain a safe environment for patients and staff.

Quality Improvement and Professional Practice

·         Participate in quality improvement initiatives within Mission Cancer + Blood, including data collection, performance improvement activities, and patient satisfaction initiatives.

·         Assist with the collection, documentation, and reporting of clinical and quality data to support patient safety, regulatory compliance, and performance improvement.

·         Participate in the implementation and ongoing maintenance of regulatory standards required to meet applicable state and national accreditation requirements.

·         Apply evidence-based nursing practices and relevant nursing research to improve clinical care and address problems affecting the oncology and hematology patient population.

·         Maintain current knowledge of oncology and hematology nursing practices, clinical procedures, and evidence-based guidelines through continuing education and professional development.

·         Adhere to professional and legal standards of nursing practice and maintain confidentiality of patient and staff information.

·         Interact with patients, families, medical staff, nursing staff, and other healthcare professionals in a professional, respectful, and cooperative manner.

·         Support a work environment that promotes teamwork, collaboration, and the recruitment and retention of staff.

·         Demonstrate the University of Iowa Health Care core values of Welcoming, Excellence, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Empowerment.

·         Remain calm and constructive in conflict situations, listen to differing perspectives, and communicate professionally with patients, families, and colleagues.

·         Evaluate personal performance in accordance with position expectations, establish professional development goals, and implement plans to achieve those goals.

·         Follow applicable policies and procedures of the University of Iowa, University of Iowa Health Care, Mission Cancer + Blood, and the Department of Nursing.

·         Perform other duties as assigned.

Joining University of Iowa Health Care means becoming part of a world-class academic health system that offers a mission you can believe in, resources and support you need to excel, and a community where your impact is felt every day. We’re providing patient care with expertise and compassion, advancing groundbreaking research, and teaching and training tomorrow’s health care professionals. Together, we’re changing medicine and changing lives across Iowa and beyond.

Location: Des Moines, IA Mission, Cancer + Blood

Required Qualifications:

•         An Associate’s Degree in Nursing, a Diploma in Nursing, a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing, Professional Masters of Nursing and Healthcare Practice (MNHP), MSN/Clinical Nurse Leader or a Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN, MA) is required

•         Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required

•         Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills with patients/families, nursing staff, and interdisciplinary team members as demonstrated through written and verbal interactions

•         General computer skills are required

•         Current license to practice nursing in Iowa is required by date of hire

•         Current BCLS

•         Knowledge of HIPAA and confidentiality policy and procedures

Desired Qualifications:

•         Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing or Master’s Degree in Nursing is highly desired

•         If Baccalaureate degree in Nursing is not yet obtained, active enrollment in a BSN program is desirable

•         Knowledge of company and university policies and procedures

•          Phlebotomy experience preferred 

•         Knowledge of medical laboratory safety, cleanliness, OSHA standards, and infection prevention precaution policies and regulations preferred

•         Knowledge of common safety hazards and precautions to maintain a safe work environment

Application Process: In order to be considered, applicants must email a resume to Shannon Benson (sbenson@missioncancer.com)

·         Job openings are posted for a minimum of 3 calendar days. 

·         Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification.

·         References: Five professional references will be requested and required at a later step in the recruitment process

This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization. 

With additional questions, please reach out to Shannon Benson (sbenson@missioncancer.com)