APP - Outpatient Infusion

Department Overview

The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, known as one of the pioneers in personalized cancer medicine, is an international leader in research and cancer treatment. Driven by its mission to end cancer as we know it, the institute is building upon its expertise in targeted treatments to advance the early detection of cancer when the disease is most treatable.

 

Every Knight Cancer employee is expected to embody our guiding principles: 

• We act BOLDLY—Breakthroughs require pushing the boundaries of science, exploring new frontiers, and thinking differently
• We SUPPORT each other—Respect leads to trust, which leads to excellence
• We work as a CONNECTED team—We must leverage our collective brain power to conquer cancer because no one individual can do it alone

This position reports to the Physician Leader of the APP team. The purposes of the role are to (1) provide clinical management of patients in the outpatient infusion unit setting in Hematology & Medical Oncology, (2) assure a coordinated, effective, high quality, and efficient care process, (3) use an interdisciplinary team approach to the care of patients, (4) work collaboratively with clinic management on process improvement projects, and (5) provide education to colleagues, staff and students as required.

Function/Duties of Position

Clinical Responsibilities:

• Provide medical coverage for the Outpatient Treatment Unit at CHH2.
  • Respond to and manage adverse infusion reactions and other emergencies
  • Assess patient condition when notified of an urgent need, and order necessary medications, imaging studies or other supportive care interventions.
  • Communicate with primary treatment team regarding adverse reactions or urgent patient issues
  • Provide patient education.
  • Provide consultation to OTU nurses.
  • Ensure that the Outpatient Treatment Unit has APP coverage at all times by working collaboratively with colleagues and covering for colleagues as needed when peers are on leave.
• Provide urgent medical care for patients requiring same day evaluation
• Provide medical advice for patients requiring assistance on weekday evenings from 1700-1900 and on the weekends between 0800 and 1700
• Provide medical care independently and/or in conjunction with attending physicians. Work in conjunction with MDs to provide continued clinical care in the outpatient setting
• Communicate with attending physicians regarding a patient's condition, treatment plans, and urgent medical needs
• Communicate with patients and family regarding their medical conditions, treatment plans, and their progress. Review labs and imaging as appropriate
• Assure appropriate setting of care (ambulatory, inpatient, critical care, acute care)
• Document subjective and objective findings, assessment and plan clearly and accurately in progress notes according to OHSU guidelines
• Provide comprehensive symptom management of complex patients by working collaboratively with oncology nurses, palliative care providers, social workers and others based on patient need
• Maintain communication with primary care providers and other individuals and agencies (e.g. skilled nursing facilities) as appropriate
• Deliver care to patients receiving treatment on clinical trials per protocol guidelines with timely notification of principal investigator/research nurse or study coordinator and appropriate documentation of adverse events
• Adhere to best practice protocols and OHSU specific policies

Education:

• Assist in meeting the educational needs of patients, family members, staff, residents, fellows, nursing and medical students, and others as appropriate
• Collaborate with CHH team members to establish or revise clinical pathways and patient education materials
• Coordinate onboarding and training of newly hired Advanced Practice Providers (APP)
• Work with clinic and hospital staff to optimize order sets, patient instructions, and other infrastructure that supports patient care
• Attend and participate in Grand Rounds, OHSU conferences, tumor boards, fellow lectures, national conferences and other learning opportunities as available

 

Leadership and Administration:

• Maximize communication of APPs in inpatient and outpatient settings through regular meetings and communication
• Work with the APPs to facilitate understanding and consensus regarding proposed changes in departmental and OHSU policies, procedures, practices, and APP roles within the practice
• Work with clinic staff and division management process improvement efforts towards meeting institutional targets of high quality, cost-efficient patient management