Registered Nurse - Chemotherapy in the Home

Epworth HealthCare is Victoria’s largest not-for-profit private health care group, renowned for excellence in diagnosis, treatment, care and rehabilitation. Epworth is an innovator in Australia’s health system, embracing the latest in evidence-based medicine to pioneer treatments and services for our patients. 

Our values and purpose define Epworth's approach and delivery. We pride ourselves on communicating and delivering them in a real and meaningful way. Every Patient Matters.

Epworth at Home is part of Epworth’s Continuing Care and Support Services Division, encompassing Hospital in the Home and Chemotherapy in the Home, as well as other community services within the organisation.

Opportunities exist for you to work on a permanent part-time basis as an CITH RN who will thrive on seeing a wide variety of acute patients in the comfort of their own home. The successful applicant will be working independently, visiting patients in their homes, to administer antineoplastic drugs from a defined list of approved treatments. Although medications will be checked with another qualified nurse prior to leaving the hospital, and again at the point of care, it is essential that you have a strong foundation in antineoplastic drug handling and administration.

Chemotherapy in the Home (CITH) is a service that provides home-based cancer care. It caters to patients of different oncology and haematology cohorts and to those who have difficulty transporting to the hospital. The Chemotherapy in the Home Nurse works under the direction of the HITH Nurse Unit Manager and/or Associate Nurse Unit Manager and the Medical Team. This role collaborates closely with VMO’s (oncologists and haematologists) and their respective project managers, oncology pharmacists, and Day Medical Unit Staff, to facilitate optimal, timely and effective administration of home-based cancer treatment.

Chemotherapy in the Home and Hospital in the Home are managed by the Nurse Unit Manager. As such, the patient cohort can be mixed between the two branches. Appropriate patient allocation will be maintained, and upskilling is provided if required in order to manage patients in both cohorts. 

The unit operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with an on-call service.  At Epworth, a car, phone and laptop are provided on the days that you will work.

To be successful in the CITH role…

You will have:

• Current nursing registration with AHPRA
• Current Full Australian Driver's License (*you must pass a Driving Assessment conducted by the organisation upon appointment)
• Understanding of community based services
• Demonstrated autonomous practice
• Prioritisation, time management and organisational skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Advanced clinical assessment skills and problem solving
• Ability to identify and escalate clinical deterioration or issues of concern
• Excellent issue resolution skills
• Demonstrated commitment to continued education
• Microsoft Office skills

Chemotherapy in the Home

Required skills essential to be successful:

• Minimum 3 years previous chemotherapy in the home experience and/or DMU and/or Oncology and/or Haematology wards
• Anti-Cancer Drug Administration Course (ADAC), or equivalent, has been completed and signed off
• Advanced knowledge on cancer treatment, follow-up, escalation, and management
• Demonstrated knowledge of Peripheral Intravenous Central Catheter (PICC) management and best practice principles
• Central Venous Access Device (CVAD) insertion, management and best practice principles
• Current intravenous cannulation certification and experience in Venepuncture

Desirable CITH skills:

• Negative Pressure Therapy Management experience
• IDC/SPC Insertion management experience
• PleurX Drain management
• Total Parenteral Nutrition and Enteral Nutrition Provision and Management
• Stoma Care and PORT insertion experience
• Drain Tube Management
• Demonstrated knowledge and best practice in complex wound care
• Relevant post graduate qualification
• Critical care post graduate qualification
• Hospital in the Home & Med/Surgical experience

Position Description        Inherent Requirements

About Epworth at Home, Rehabilitation & Mental Health (Continuing Care and Support Services)

Epworth’s at Home, Rehabilitation and Mental Health services are some of the most progressive of their kind in Australia. Our clinical approach involves individualised treatment and collaborative team decision-making to achieve outstanding outcomes for patients. We have forged a strong team ethos across our campus locations i.e. Richmond, Camberwell and Hawthorn.

At Epworth, it’s a community

It’s the sense of belonging and being part of an organisation and a team that works to make sure that every patient matters. In addition to this, you will have access to:

• Salary package up to $15,900 pre-tax annually, leading to greater take home pay
• The largest educational scholarship program of its kind in Australia
• Ability to purchase up to four additional weeks of leave
• Reduced cost of health services for you and your family at Epworth
• Relocation assistance is available for approved candidates

The annual salary for a full time Domicillary Nurse – AUD $102,278 + super + entitlements depending on registration type, year level and position (prorated for part-time).

Enquire / Apply

Sound interesting? To apply, click the I'm Interested button now and attach your CV and cover letter.

For more information, refer to the position description or contact [email protected] or call (03) 9426 0606.

Please Note:  Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the position may be filled before the application closing date.

It is a condition of employment with Epworth HealthCare, subject to reasonable exemptions, that you have had an annual Influenza vaccination, where this is required under Epworth policy.

As a child safe organisation, all successful applicants are required to satisfactorily clear a National Police Check (conducted by Epworth) and may be required to hold a valid employee Working with Children Check (provided by you).

At Epworth, we believe inclusion and diversity are essential to our culture and values. We focus on fairness and opportunity for all – across race, ability, ethnicity, gender, age, sexuality, cultures and beliefs – that reflect the communities we work in. At Epworth, we care.