Job Summary:
The position is for the Clinical Research Nurse who will assist in implementing and evaluating a National Cancer Institute funded comprehensive tobacco dependence treatment program that is integrated within the Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer of Northwestern University. The nurse will work with the tobacco cessation team to help expand the current program to all oncology clinics throughout the Northwester Memorial Healthcare system.
Working within a multidisciplinary team, the successful candidate will deliver comprehensive tobacco use/dependence treatment, pharmacological and behavioral, to cancer patients and cancer survivors, consistent with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network clinical practice guidelines for smoking cessation. The guidelines can be found at http://www.jnccn.org/content/14/11/1430.full.
Specific Responsibilities:
- Obtain Tobacco Treatment Specialist certification and recertification through the Mayo Clinic or other training program accredited by the Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence. The training fees and travel covered by Northwestern.
- Complete credentialing through Northwestern Memorial Hospital to see patients and access the electronic medical record system (Epic). A health screening, covered by Northwestern, will be required as a part of the credentialing.
- Conduct brief clinical evaluation and verbally order/administer FDA-approved tobacco cessation medication and monitor/manage adherence and drug side effects. Medication orders will be co-signed by the program physician.
- Deliver in-person and telephone-based behavioral smoking cessation counseling, supported with self-help print intervention material as indicated.
- Document tobacco use and tobacco cessation treatment utilization in the patient’s electronic health record.
- Communicate as needed with patients’ cancer treatment providers about their tobacco treatment plans and treatment engagement, utilization and smoking status.
- Assist in educating the cancer center providers and staff about the harms of continued tobacco smoking, the benefits of quitting, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network practice guidelines, and the services provided by the tobacco cessation treatment program
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- A bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited nursing program along with 3 years of clinical practice or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
- Current license as a registered nurse with the state of Illinois.
Must complete Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) program training in information privacy security, HIPAA, and security and privacy.
Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)
- Ability to work collaboratively within healthcare teams.
Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)
- Experience in a medical oncology setting or outpatient alcohol/drug addiction setting.
- Experience in clinical research.
Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)
- Motivational interviewing applied to health behavior change.
- Treating tobacco dependence, including use of FDA-approved medication for tobacco dependence, including Chantix (varenicline) and Zyban (bupropion).
Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.