Head Nurse - Oncology jobs in the United States

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is ranked the nation’s top hospital for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals.”  MD Anderson’s mission is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation and the world through exceptional programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention. 

Oncology nursing excellence is a central pillar in MD Anderson’s worldwide reputation for cancer care. As a Magnet Recognized hospital, we provide our patients with excellent oncology nursing care. Our values are caring, integrity, discovery, safety and stewardship.

KEY FUNCTIONS

SUPERVISION OF RESEARCH PERSONNEL

Provides direct supervision over assigned clinical research nursing, clinical coordinator, data coordinator, and other clinical research personnel. Participates with new employee hiring process oversees the ongoing development and orientation program for staff in alignment with applicable position descriptions. 
Assigns workload as relates to protocol management; directs and assists research nurses and other research staff in all aspects of protocol management.
Maintains appropriate staffing levels and ensures fair distribution of workload among the clinical research staff. Reviews assignments on a routine basis in collaboration with the Supervisors of Clinical Studies.
Assures that direct reports adhere to all policies/procedures of the department and institution.
Evaluates performance of assigned staff through the departmental and institutional performance management system, and manages disciplinary actions as needed. 
Provides professional and ancillary staff education concerning research protocols.
Coordinates educational activities for the research staff.
Conducts monthly clinical research staff meeting.
Mentor and educate newly hired nurses.  Work with the Research Nurse Manager to develop a training plan for new research nurses hired within the department.  This includes orientation to the department and clinic, education on research skills, as well as oversight of the initial protocol assigned to the new nurse.
Serve as a resource for the nurses (to which he/she is assigned) who have less experience in research.  The focus will be on answering questions regarding specific situations in addition to assisting as problems or concerns develop between departments.    
Serve as a resource for all research nurses when the Research Nurse Manager is out of the office.  This includes making decisions regarding personnel issues in the manager’s absence.
Manages and evaluates productivity, performance, and the training and development needs of staff .  Provide back-up coverage for the research nurses during times of absence.
Completes yearly performance evaluations and conducts coaching and counseling sessions as appropriate.  Provide written documentation as needed. 

PROTOCOL MANAGEMENT 

Consults with Principal Investigators (PI’s) regarding ongoing clinical trial assignments. Works closely with Clinical Research Group (CRG) Leadership team and research nurse personnel to ensure consistency between protocol database and source documentation. 
Provide enrollment and patient care for protocols to which he/she is assigned.  This includes collecting and inputting data into the appropriate source as well as attending monitoring visits. Will carry a reduced load of patients and protocols.
Manages the effective operation of multiple department protocols as designated by the Department Chair in collaboration with the principal investigator or study sponsor. Provides overall coordination and facilitation of research activities and protocol patient care. 
Assumes responsibility for the effective operation of research protocols in collaboration with the PI, Study Sponsor and other members of the Clinical Research Group (CRG) management team.
Maintains knowledge of the research process and resources available for the efficient management of research projects.
Assess patients for protocol eligibility through personal interviews and/or medical record review in outpatient and inpatient settings. 
Coordinates, evaluates and follows the patient’s participation in clinical trials. 
Provides documentation in the patient’s medical record or recruitment log per protocol and institutional requirements.
Identifies and develops methods of patient screening. 
Assists the primary investigator and other members of the research staff in collection, analysis, and evaluation of data. 
Retrieves protocol-related data as documented in the medical record and accurately enters it into a computerized database. 
Evaluates response to treatment, treatment toxicities and adverse drug reactions and reports appropriately to the principal investigator, the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the study sponsor.
Provides protocol summary reports as requested. 
Utilizes computer statistical/data management systems as necessary. 
Participates in protocol-specific clinical tasks as needed. 
Identifies and provides patient and family educational needs regarding treatment management, evaluation, and follow-up in clinical trials through talking with patients person-to-person or by telephone and/or through written educational material. 
If necessary, administers investigational medications, following acceptable nursing procedures/guidelines. 
Assists in the coordination with the collection of appropriate research related tissues and blood samples. 
Orders protocol-related tests and procedures.  In collaboration with the Laboratory staff, obtains pathology slides and blocks as needed.
Collaborates with the multidisciplinary team as necessary. 

ADMINISTRATIVE  

Collaborates with the management team on research policies/processes and quality assurance initiatives.
Educates and trains the clinical research staff in the research charge capture process. Reviews research charge capture process to ensure protocol billing compliance per departmental and institutional policies. 
Provides pertinent team information as requested by the THNMO Clinical Trials Team
In collaboration with the Clinical Research Group Supervisor team, ensures that all clinical research conducted by the department meets IRB, federal and/or guidelines and policies.
In collaboration with the Clinical Research Group Supervisor team, designs research tools to aid in data collection and analysis.
Represents the management team at departmental and institutional meetings.
Assists the THNMO Center Clinical Administrative Director (CAD) and Clinic Nurse Manager with integration and orientation of research staff members.
Interacts with THNMO Patient Access Center staff related to new patients, referrals, and protocol information; oversees the presentation of new clinical trials as indicated. 
Assists in the preparation of departmental protocol audits.
Ensures accuracy in the reporting of effort for assigned research staff members.  

PROJECT MANAGEMENT  

Participates in departmental, intradepartmental, and institutional research related projects, committees, and initiatives. 
Completes special projects and reports as requested by manager. 

QUALITY ASSURANCE  

Jointly with the Research Nurse Manager, provide QA review of selected cases. 
Coordinates, plans and develops training programs for professional and ancillary staff on research protocols, policies and procedures.

Other duties as assigned.