Oncology Registered Nurse
Irvine, California
City of Hope Orange County Cancer Specialty Hospital

Job Opportunity: Oncology Registered Nurse (RN)

Location: Irvine, California
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

• Provide nursing care on a specialized oncology/hematology unit focused on blood disorders (e.g., leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma) and various cancers.
• Balance direct patient care with leadership responsibilities including staffing, patient flow, and mentoring staff.
• Manage complex treatments such as chemotherapy, blood transfusions, and CAR T-cell therapy.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to ensure optimal patient care.
• Patient population includes adolescents, adults, and geriatrics.
• Schedule includes 3 shifts of 12 hours each, with float and weekend rotation required (4 weekend shifts per month, Friday through Sunday).

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 3 years oncology experience required (hematology experience preferred).
• Inpatient oncology experience and chemotherapy administration required.
• EPIC electronic medical record experience required.
• Will accept first-time travel nurses if oncology experience requirement is met.

Certifications Required

• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
• Chemotherapy certification (ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy Immunotherapy certificate required; ONS Fundamentals not accepted)
• Valid state nursing license

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Bone marrow transplant (BMT) experience
• Outpatient oncology
• Active immunotherapy administration (interferons, interleukins)
• Cytotoxic therapy and management of side effects
• Administration and management of blood and blood products, ports, central lines, PICC lines
• Management of oncologic emergencies (e.g., tumor lysis syndrome, anaphylaxis, hemorrhage, sepsis, spinal cord compression)
• Experience with chemotherapy handling, infusion pumps, IV therapy, and medication administration (antibiotics, antivirals, corticosteroids, hormonal therapy, etc.)
• Telemetry monitoring and interpretation
• Wound care, psychosocial care, hospice care
• Care coordination and patient safety protocols

Orientation and Training

• 36 hours of orientation provided.
• Caribbean blue scrubs not provided by the unit.

Prior Travel Experience

• Prior travel experience not required; first-time travelers are accepted if oncology experience is met.

Compliance and Documentation Requirements

• Government-issued photo ID required.
• Background checks including social security trace, education verification, and criminal history within the last year.
• Primary source verification of nursing license and certifications.
• Annual competency exams and medication/pharmacology tests as applicable.
• Physical exam within the last 12 months.
• Immunizations and health screenings required:

  • Tdap vaccine within 10 years or declination form
  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray as applicable
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccination or positive titer
  • Hepatitis B series or positive titer
  • Varicella vaccination or positive titer
  • Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption
  • COVID-19 vaccination series including booster or approved medical/religious exemption
• Drug screening (10 panel) within 1 year of start.
• Respirator clearance and fit testing required annually.

Work Environment

• Specialized cancer hospital setting with a focus on hematology and oncology patients.
• Multidisciplinary team collaboration essential.
• Float and weekend shifts required.

This position is ideal for experienced oncology RNs looking for a travel contract in California with a focus on hematology and oncology patient care.