The Infusion Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing safe, high-quality infusion therapy to patients receiving biologic, immunologic, and other specialty medications in an outpatient rheumatology infusion center. The Infusion RN is accountable for patient assessment, medication administration, monitoring for adverse reactions, patient education, and collaboration with physicians and the interdisciplinary team to ensure exceptional clinical outcomes and patient experience.
This position requires strong clinical judgment, attention to detail, and experience administering biologic therapies while maintaining compliance with all applicable regulatory, accreditation, and safety standards.
Essential Responsibilities
Patient Assessment & Care
- Perform comprehensive nursing assessments prior to each infusion.
- Review patient medical history, allergies, laboratory results, and treatment plans.
- Verify medication orders for completeness and accuracy.
- Assess for contraindications to treatment.
- Obtain and document baseline vital signs.
- Monitor patients throughout infusion and recovery.
- Reassess patients following treatment.
- Recognize and respond appropriately to changes in patient condition.
Infusion Therapy
- Safely administer IV, subcutaneous, oral, and intramuscular biologic and specialty medications.
- Initiate and maintain peripheral IV access.
- Administer prescribed pre-medications.
- Calculate infusion rates according to manufacturer recommendations and provider orders.
- Monitor patients for infusion-related reactions.
- Titrate infusions when appropriate.
- Administer emergency medications per protocol.
- Document all medications and treatments accurately in the EMR.
Biologic & Specialty Medication Experience
Experience with one or more of the following preferred:
- Remicade® (Infliximab)
- Avsola®
- Inflectra®
- Renflexis®
- Simponi Aria®
- Orencia®
- Actemra®
- Rituxan® / Ruxience® / Truxima®
- Benlysta®
- Krystexxa®
- Cimzia®
- Evenity®
- Prolia®
- Reclast®
- IVIG
- Other biologic or immunomodulating therapies
Patient Education
- Educate patients regarding infusion medications.
- Discuss potential side effects.
- Review post-infusion expectations.
- Reinforce medication compliance.
- Educate patients on signs and symptoms requiring medical attention.
- Answer patient questions compassionately and professionally.
Emergency Response
- Recognize infusion reactions promptly.
- Initiate emergency response protocols.
- Administer emergency medications as ordered.
- Perform BLS interventions when necessary.
- Coordinate emergency transfers when indicated.
- Document adverse events thoroughly.
- Notify providers immediately of significant clinical concerns.
Clinical Documentation
- Complete accurate nursing documentation in the EMR.
- Document assessments.
- Record medication administration.
- Maintain infusion flow sheets.
- Document patient education.
- Complete adverse event documentation.
- Maintain accurate medication inventory documentation.
Collaboration
- Communicate effectively with physicians, advanced practice providers, medical assistants, and administrative staff.
- Coordinate treatment schedules.
- Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings.
- Support clinical research activities when applicable.
Quality & Compliance
- Follow all OSHA, HIPAA, CDC, CMS, and state nursing regulations.
- Maintain infection prevention standards.
- Follow medication safety guidelines.
- Ensure proper medication storage and handling.
- Participate in quality improvement initiatives.
- Maintain competency in infusion nursing practices.
- Participate in continuing education.
Qualifications Required
- Current unrestricted Texas Registered Nurse license.
- Current BLS certification.
- Minimum of 2 years of RN experience.
- Minimum of 1 year of outpatient infusion experience.
- Experience administering biologic or specialty infusion medications.
- Strong IV insertion skills.
- Excellent assessment and critical thinking abilities.
- Experience with electronic medical records.
Preferred
- Rheumatology infusion experience.
- Oncology infusion experience.
- CRNI (Certified Registered Nurse Infusion) certification.
- ACLS certification.
- Experience with eClinicalWorks.
- Experience in ambulatory infusion centers.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Proficiency in peripheral IV placement.
- Strong understanding of biologic medications.
- Knowledge of infusion reaction management.
- Excellent patient assessment skills.
- Exceptional attention to detail.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to manage multiple patients simultaneously.
- Professional judgment and clinical decision-making.
- Ability to remain calm during emergencies.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
- Ability to assist patients with mobility as needed.
- Manual dexterity sufficient for IV insertion and medication preparation.
- Visual acuity to assess patients and prepare medications safely.
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
