Advanced Practice Nurse, Oncology

OVERVIEW

The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) is a registered nurse who has acquired expert competencies in cancer care, particularly systemic therapy administration. The APN applies nursing knowledge, theory and research evidence to ensure that outpatient oncology care at MGH is safe, high quality, and aligned with best practice. The APN advances professional practice and clinical care excellence through the design and implementation of educational programs and clinical processes that enable staff to deliver safe, excellent patient and family centered care. 

The APN is a paired leader with the Manager of the Oncology program and together, ensure patient and staff safety practices are maintained, engages staff in the use of evidence-informed best practice, and promotes a culture of continuous practice improvement. The role assures the development and maintenance of clinical competency through the identification of learning and practice development needs for point-of-care nursing staff (RN, RPN). The APN shares responsibility with the Manager for ensuring mandatory evaluation of staff performance and associated learning plan development as required. The APN also promotes the professional growth of staff, encourages innovative contributions, coaches team members in critical thinking and the management of complex clinical scenarios. Proficiency in providing feedback and managing nursing-based practice concerns will be an important component of this role. The APN must be flexible and adaptable to the ever-changing needs and priorities of the organization at the program, corporate, and systems level (e.g., provincial, national).

The role collaborates closely with the Manager, Director, oncologists and hematologists as well as with all point-of-care professionals working in outpatient oncology (e.g., pharmacy, social work, dietitian, etc.) and leadership for change initiatives to realize the goals of the unit. The role also requires relevant equipment implementation, accreditation activities, policy and procedure development and management. 

Michael Garron Hospital’s Oncology program works closely with our Regional Cancer Centre, the Odette Cancer Program at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. The APN will work closely with our Odette colleagues in a community of practice to advance harmonization of practice across our programs.

EDUCATION

-  Required current certification of registration from the College of Nurses of Ontario and current BCLS certificate.
-  Master's degree required - Master's in Nursing or Education preferred; Master's degree in process will be considered.
-  Completion of Provincial Standardized Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Course via de Souza Institute strongly preferred. Active PSCB/CCMC certification (within last 24 months) strongly preferred. 
-  Canadian Nurses Association certification as Certified Oncology NurseCON(c) or Oncology Nursing Society (OCN) certification strongly preferred.
-  Adult Education Certification an asset.

QUALIFICATIONS

-  A minimum of five (5) years related clinical experience in oncology nursing, specifically systemic therapy administration.
-  Experience in ambulatory oncology and outpatient systemic therapy administration preferred.
-  Experience in an advanced practice or nursing leadership role is strongly preferred.
-  Sound knowledge of adult education theory and experience in designing, delivering and evaluating educational programs.
-  Expert knowledge of oncology nursing standards of practice and relevant national and provincial guidelines.
-  Excellent communication, coaching, facilitation, interpersonal and presentation skills.
-  Demonstrated excellence in development of written educational materials, policies, and procedures.
-  Demonstrated commitment to patient safety and quality improvement. Experience designing and implementing quality improvement initiatives.
-  Proven organizational and time management skills; ability to adapt to change & identify priority work.
-  Established understanding and ability to integrate concept of person-centered care.
-  Evidence of successful change management skills, including effective implementation and evaluation.
-  Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with others.
-  Proven ability to adapt and work as an effective team member in a high pressure environment.
-  Working knowledge of clinical/administrative computer software, including Microsoft office.
- All employees of Michael Garron Hospital (MGH), a division of Toronto East Health Network (TEHN) [formerly Toronto  East General Hospital (TEGH)] agree to work within the legislated practices of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Ontario.
- All employees of MGH are responsible to contribute to a transparent culture of patient and staff safety by adhering to and abiding by patient and staff safety policies and procedures set by MGH.
-  All employees are accountable for protectingthe psychological health and safety of  themselves and their co-workers through adherence to MGH's policies and  practices.