Research Nurse – Murtha Cancer Center

Join the HJF Team!

HJF is seeking a Research Nurse to support the John P. Murtha Cancer Center Research Program (MCCRP) of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS). This nurse position is located at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) in Bethesda, Maryland. HJF provides scientific, technical and programmatic support services to MCCRP. U.S. citizenship required. Must have an active Maryland State nursing license (not a compact nursing license).

The John P. Murtha Cancer Center Research Program at Walter Reed Bethesda is a modern, patient-centric, tri-service military healthcare facility. Its comprehensive core of military and civilian oncologists and other cancer- trained clinicians and researchers provide multidisciplinary cancer-care delivery and patient-family support services. Our Cancer Center, the only DoD Cancer Center of Excellence within the Military Health System, offers its patients access to cutting-edge cancer diagnostic and treatment technologies. The incumbent will work as a Research Nurse for MCCRP cancer patients in the following areas: Surgical Oncology, Pulmonary Oncology, and Urologic Oncology.

The Research Nurse serves as a consistent care coordinator to eligible beneficiaries at the Murtha Cancer Center Research Program at WRNMMC, ensuring timely access and seamless coordination of services throughout the continuum of cancer care to include survivorship. The Research Nurse will meet with patients and families to provide emotional support and guidance following the diagnosis of cancer through end stage disease if necessary. The Research Nurse will provide medical information; education; and share knowledge regarding internal and external support services and resources. The Research Nurse will be responsible for facilitating rapid scheduling, coordination follow-up care, and tracking patients to ensure completion of recommended treatment plan as well as following the patients throughout the entirety of their cancer survivorship journey. The Research Nurse will identify and assist patients and families in eliminating potential barriers to care by identifying and referring to appropriate resources. The Research Nurse will be an integral part of and professional member of the Interdisciplinary team promoting optimal patient care.

NOTE: All HJF employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination or an approved religious or medical accommodation will be required.

Responsibilities:

1. Serves as a Research Nurse for MCCRP cancer patients in the assigned clinics. Collaborates with care providers across all settings to develop, implement and evaluate cancer clinical practice guidelines to provide quality patient care, education, and value-added services.
2. Serves as a POC and Case Manager for cancer patients, families, physicians and other healthcare providers from incoming case transfer through to discharge planning and throughout care and survivorship.
   • Serves as the HELP-PATH Oncology Case Management POC in the communication and coordination of MEDEVACS coming to WRNMMC.
   • When alerted to new cases transferring to WRNMMC, works with WRNMMC providers to ensure that patients are ready to be received and treated upon arrival.
   • Coordinates SEC-DES process and serves as a MCCRP POC for the referral of NCI patients to MCCRP/WRNMMC.
   • Makes appropriate administrative arrangements including base access registration, enters referral and clinical appointments, and uploads required documents to the system.
   • Serves as the liaison and POC for NCI clinical trial programs and DoD Relay Health to assist in the patient referral process among providers, patients, NCI, DOD Relay, MCCRP and partner Military Treatment Facility (MTF) Sites.
3. Provides educational information, resources and support to cancer patients and families to assist with coping, fostering self-care activities and assuring high quality outcomes.
4. Utilizes care management practices to evaluate clinical economic outcomes of patient care and maintains an active role in problem identification and problem solving to ensure quality patient care and optimal patient outcomes.
5. Participates in program development and research initiative. Maintains protocol requirements and contributes to the development, implementation, evaluation and revision of policies and procedures related to cancer care.
6. Collects and evaluates data related to cancer population in order to provide information for ongoing quality improvement.
7. Actively participates in Multi-Disciplinary Conferences related to cancer care, prevention, and screening.
8. May perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor. This may include attendance of and participation in required training for role.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent organizational and data entry skills
• Ability to anticipate, assess, plan, intervene, and evaluate the physical, emotional, and educational needs of patients needs and take appropriate course of action, using approved guidelines, protocols, and pathways
• Ability to communicate openly and empathetically with patients, families, and providers
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences including professional staff, community members, media, and other service organizations
• Knowledge of adult learning competencies and patient teaching skills
• Self-management skills reflecting self-motivation, initiative and fiscal responsibility
• Demonstrates flexibility in responding to changing system needs and stays current with managed care and reimbursement issues
• Advanced knowledge of current screening, diagnostic tools, and treatment options for these groups of cancer patients
• Prior experience working in protocol/pathway driven environments and able to deviate and make appropriate referrals
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Basic understanding of procedures commonly performed in the ambulatory setting
• Knowledge of Federal regulations regarding the use of human subjects in research.
• Knowledge of clinical medicine and procedures and techniques necessary for performing research tasks; proficient skills in data acquisition and clinical responsibilities related to research protocols.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's Degree in Nursing required.

Required Licenses, Certification or Registration: Must be licensed as a registered Nurse in Maryland.

Minimum Experience/ Training Requirements: 3-5 years of experience required.

Work Environment: Hospital and clinic setting.

Work Arrangement: 100% on-site.

Background/Security: U.S. citizenship required; eligible to obtain and maintain a Tier III Investigation/ Secret Clearance and Common Access Card (CAC).

Employment with HJF is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, which may include, but is not limited to, contacting your professional references, verification of previous employment, addresses, education, and credentials, a criminal background check, drug screening, and a department of motor vehicle (DMV) check.

Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.