Oncology Nurse Practitioner

Education

• Master’s degree or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from an accredited nurse practitioner program.
• Completion of an accredited Nurse Practitioner program with a specialization in Adult, Family, or Acute Care.

Licensure/Certification

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Current Nurse Practitioner (NP) license in state of practice.
• Board certification as an NP (ANCC or AANP) required.
• Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Chemotherapy & Immunotherapy Provider Certificate preferred.
• Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP) certification (preferred or willingness to obtain).

Experience

• Minimum 1–2 years of NP experience in oncology or hematology preferred.
• Prior nursing experience in oncology or an inpatient/outpatient oncology setting strongly preferred.

Skills & competencies

• Strong knowledge of oncology disease processes, treatments, and management.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to support patients and collaborate with healthcare team members.
• Ability to work autonomously and make sound clinical decisions within scope of practice.
• Proficiency with electronic medical records (EMR) and clinical documentation.
• Compassionate, patient-centered approach to care.

Work environment

• Clinic environment.
• Work requires sitting, standing, and/or walking in and around the clinic.
• Good manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination, along with the ability to read and comprehend written instructions.
• High traffic area dealing with patients, family members, other staff, and physicians.
• Interaction with others may be constant and interruptive.
• Requires working under stress.
• Working knowledge of computers, with the ability to type, operates a keyboard, calculate, and operate equipment common to the field.
• Ability and knowledge to perform professional care appropriate to a chemotherapy nurse.
• Knowledge of administrative policies, regulations, and procedures to administer patient care.
• Knowledge of medical equipment and instructions.
• Skill in applying and modifying the principal methods, and techniques of primary care to provide ongoing patient care.
• Skilled in understanding medical history, assessing, and interpreting findings, along with the knowledge of common safety hazards and emergency situations.
• Skill in preparing and maintaining records, reports and responding to correspondence as needed.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with physicians, patients, family members, employees, and the public.
• Ability to interpret, adapt, and apply guidelines.
• May be required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, or crouch; lift and/or move patients.
• Frequent exposure to toxic substances, medical preparations, and other conditions common to a clinic environment.