Clinical Nurse Specialist

About City of Hope
City of Hope, an innovative biomedical research, treatment and educational institution with over 6000 employees, is dedicated to the prevention and cure of cancer and other life-threatening diseases and guided by a compassionate, patient-centered philosophy.

Founded in 1913 and headquartered in Duarte, California, City of Hope is a remarkable non-profit institution, where compassion and advanced care go hand-in-hand with excellence in clinical and scientific research. City of Hope is a National Cancer Institute designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation's leading cancer centers that develops and institutes standards of care for cancer treatment.

Position Summary
The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is a member of the nursing leadership team. The CNS influences nurses, nursing support personnel and the organization to support evidence-based practice (EBP) and in collaboration with City of Hope (CNS) nursing leadership, assures the achievement of quality and cost effective patient and family outcomes. The CNS works collaboratively and possesses expertise as a(n) clinician, educator, consultant, and leader. CNS practice is based on competencies described by the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, 2010 and Oncology Nursing Society, 2013. The Mission, Vision and Core values of the City of Hope are incorporated into all areas of practice.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Models excellence in nursing practice using scientific knowledge and advanced concepts in the assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation of actual or potential problems in the oncology patient population.
• Proactively identifies opportunities and investigates solutions to assure the provision of state-of-the-art nursing care and associated outcomes.
• Influences patient outcomes through the translation, implementation and integration of EBP into daily operational activities.
• Collaborates and consults with nurses and other to influence nursing practices and improve care outcomes within a specific unit or service and/or across Nursing and Patient Care Services (NPCNS).
• Acts as a key stake holder and decision maker for the development, implementation and evaluation of standards of care, policies, guidelines and the introduction of new equipment and technology at the point of care.
• Supports nurses in the management of symptom distress related to cancer or its treatment based on advanced knowledge of the etiology of cancer, the rationale for treatment, patient and family responses and needs, and associated nursing interventions.
• Provides expertise in the assessment of patient and family learning needs, provision of educational strategies and evaluation of the effects of teaching strategies for general and specified oncology patient populations.
• May provide direct patient care, consult with other nurses or clinical staff about specific patients, and make recommendations for interventions and plan of care.
• Assumes accountability for unit based, department wide or Institutional clinical practice roles.
• Provides education to staff and patients, and families based on advanced practice knowledge of oncology nursing care and the principles of adult learning.
• Proactively assesses learning needs and develops, evaluates, and modifies NPCNS orientation and educational programs and initiatives that ensure ongoing competence of all levels of nursing staff.
• Designs and evaluates educational programs and initiatives that are congruent with COH's strategic plan, NPCNS priorities, regulatory requirements and oncology nursing standards.
• Designs and implements clinical and professional competency programs and other educational activities in collaboration with nursing staff and leaders.
• Participates in local and national professional activities and organizations to promote the educational and professional growth of self and others within COH and the community.
• Coordinates the clinical learning experiences of students and visitors; acts as a liaison to faculty, affiliating institutions and visitors.
• Works collaboratively with other departments and disciplines on projects, initiatives and programs to meet the goals of COH and promotes excellence in care delivery and outcomes.
• Is a clinical resource and consultant to all of COH nursing community regarding clinical policies, standards and guidelines of care.
• Provides clinical expertise in the development and implementation of nursing clinical policy, procedure and standards processes and contributes to relevant committees and work teams.
• Mentors and supports the professional growth and development of nurses, other NPCNS staff and students.
• Participates in the development of the COH Nursing Quality Plan.
• Facilitates and leads quality and process improvement programs and initiatives.
• Assesses quality of care and patient outcomes.
• Implements evidence based practices at the unit level with NPCNS staff.
• Identifies clinical practice problems, reviews literature and provides clinical support to staff and leaders to implement EBP solutions.
• Participates in research activities that expand the scientific base of nursing practice knowledge.
• Disseminates work related to research, EBP and quality improvement initiatives.
• Contributes to the creation of an environment that stimulates continuous self learning, positive group processes, reflective practice, and the empowerment of others.
• Models constructive and mutually respectful relationships with colleagues.
• Fosters an environment that is sensitive to the needs of diverse populations, including but not limited to culture, ethnicity, gender, and age.
• Participates in goal-defining processes and systems changes to promote best practices
• Functions as a change agent, to implement, evaluate and promote nursing care and systems that are safe, cost effective and evidence based.
• Partners with leaders in clinical areas to establish goals and then develop, implement and evaluate strategies consistent with institutional and departmental goals.
• 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.

Qualifications
Basic education, experience and skills required for consideration:

• Master's degree in nursing.
• Minimum of 3-5 years recent experience as a nurse in oncology.
• Leadership and education experience required.

Required Certification/Licensure:

• Licensed as a Registered Nurse in the state of California.
• Possess an active California BRN issued Clinical Nurse Specialist license / certificate.
• Appropriate advanced practice nursing certification.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR Card through American Heart Association

Preferred experience and education:

• 1 or more years caring for cancer patients (lung and colorectal)
• Bilingual (Spanish or Mandarin Chinese)
• Medical Oncology and primary care/family medicine experience

Additional Information:

• Full-time
• Day
• 8 hours

City of Hope is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability.