Oncology Certified Nursing
Working with cancer patients requires a team of dedicated individuals whose goal is to help meet the needs of the individual during their course of therapy. One valuable member of that team is an Oncology Certified Nurse--a Registered Nurse whose educational background focuses in the area of oncology and can have a specialty in Radiation Oncology. The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) provides a certification exam for RNs who would like to specialize in Oncology and be recognized as a unique individual whose spotlight is on the quality care of oncology patients. Having the credentials of an Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN), we then adhere to the ONS mission to promote excellence in oncology nursing and quality cancer care.
A Radiation Oncology OCN provides clinical care and education to the population being treated. This specially trained clinician provides assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and implementation of services which focus on the continuum of care to support the patients receiving radiation therapy, their families and caregivers. The focus is to provide evidenced-based clinical care and education to the patient and the family so that they have an understanding of their disease process. Additionally, we ensure clinical coordination with other medical specialties to provide continuity of patient care.
It is important to recognize that Aventura Comprehensive Cancer Center as an American College of Surgeons (ACoS) accredited facility requires as a standard of care to provide this higher level of nursing care. Frances Fongkin, RN, BSN, OCN, our Oncology Certified Nurse, will be glad to assist you with all of your treatment needs as well as comprehensive discharge planning, care and follow up. Excellence in oncology patient care is our goal.