Senior Oncology Nurse Educator, Rwanda

Position Overview

As a designated Cancer Center of Excellence, Butaro Hospital provides evidenced based practice in oncology for cancer patients of Rwanda and surrounding countries. The oncology program consists of both adult and pediatric inpatient wards as well as an outpatient facility consisting of an exam clinic and an Infusion Center.  We are seeking a Senior Oncology Nurse Educator to work alongside two Rwandan oncology educators as well as the nursing staff to provide clinical expertise and programmatic support by integrating nursing theory and evidence-based practice into the clinical oncology practice. The oncology nurse educator serves as a role model and mentor to the Butaro nursing staff in both clinical and leadership arenas and will work with in country and other leaders to help the oncology program continue to develop as a high-quality oncology care center. The Senior Oncology Nurse Educator may also contribute to national oncology capacity building initiatives by serving as expert clinician, trainer, and consultant to MOH and the University of Rwanda School of Nursing and Midwifery as requested.

Responsibilities:

• Provides clinical oncology expertise through training and mentorship on ward rounds, outpatient clinic, staff meetings and education sessions.
• Provides leadership and organizational skills mentoring that leads to efficient inpatient and outpatient processes of care that include principles of patient safety.
• Provides expert general nursing and oncology advice in the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and oncology treatment protocols that guide care delivery.
• Reinforces adherence to nationally endorsed protocols and SOPs to facilitate safe and standardized quality cancer care.
• Assures nursing care includes a complete assessment and plan of care tailored for individual patient needs.
• Works collaboratively with the IMB Oncology Program Director and the health informatics team to improve patient records and inpatient paperless EMR project.
• Works collaboratively with hospital and IMB leaders and staff in identifying and implementing opportunities for formal quality improvement initiatives including chart audits for baseline and post intervention data.
• Works collaboratively with the IMB Oncology Program Director and Butaro Hospital Director of Nursing on strategies to strengthen nursing and the overall oncology program.
• Participates in weekly patient case conference calls with DFCI oncology experts.
• Facilitates appropriate tracking for hospital-based oncology nurse training and educational initiatives.
• Works with the Butaro Hospital Director of Nursing, oncology line managers and PIH/IMB leaders and clinical team to coordinate and implement the hospital’s oncology nurse training program including use of the competency checklist for skill attainment for chemotherapy mixing and administration.
• Reviews training plan annually for updates based on resource changes, patient needs and changing regulatory requirements. Works with Rwandan oncology educators to plan, coordinate, and implement bi-annual refresher trainings for oncology nurses.
• May work closely with partners at MOH, MOH national referral facilities, and Nursing Schools to contribute to national oncology trainings development and implementation as requested.
• May work with IMB and MOH leaders to integrate yearly clinical training goals and objectives for nurses within the broader local and national political and academic landscape as requested.
• In collaboration with the University of Rwanda School of Nursing and Midwifery, may provide on-site clinical leadership support for Butaro Hospital nurses related to graduate nursing student clinical rotations.

Qualifications:

• At least 3-5 years post-graduation work experience as an oncology RN or NP
• Demonstrated strong clinical expertise in oncology nursing
• Previous expertise in unit based clinical training and education
• Demonstrated possession of excellent interpersonal communication (written and oral) and organizational skills
• Ability to think and plan strategically at a systems level
• Exemplary interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate effectively with culturally diverse staff across departments and country
• Commitment to social justice and health equity strongly desirable
• Patient and flexible
• Previous work in a low-income country preferable
• Ability to work productively in highly collaborative setting while also able to function independently with strong self-direction
• Demonstrated ability managing complexity and prioritizing multiple tasks
• Willingness to work and live in a rural setting
• French speaker a plus