Oncology Nurse Job Duties

Introduction

Oncology nurse job duties cover a specialised area of nursing focused on caring for patients with cancer across different stages of diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. These professionals work within multidisciplinary teams and apply advanced clinical, communication and coordination skills. As cancer care in South Africa becomes more complex and technology-driven, oncology nurses play a critical role in ensuring safe, evidence-based and compassionate care for patients and their families.

About the Organisation

Duties.co.za appears to be a South African website that provides information on job duties, responsibilities and role descriptions for various occupations. It functions as an informational resource rather than as a healthcare provider, recruitment agency or regulatory body.

Detailed ownership information, corporate structure, physical address, and governance details for Duties.co.za are not publicly available. The website’s primary purpose, based on publicly visible content, is to outline work-related duties and responsibilities to help jobseekers, employees and employers better understand specific roles. Any reference to oncology nurse job duties on such a platform would therefore be descriptive and informational, not tied to a specific healthcare institution.

Core Clinical Duties of an Oncology Nurse

Oncology nurse job duties are rooted in direct clinical care for patients diagnosed with cancer or suspected malignancies. These duties typically align with professional nursing standards and the scope of practice defined by the South African Nursing Council (SANC) and employer policies.

Oncology nurses assess patients’ physical and psychological status at various stages of illness. This includes taking comprehensive histories, reviewing diagnostic results where appropriate, and monitoring symptoms such as pain, nausea, fatigue, breathlessness and treatment-related side effects. Regular assessment allows early identification of complications and informs adjustments to care plans.

Administering cancer treatments safely is a central duty. Depending on training and authorisation, oncology nurses may administer chemotherapy, targeted therapies, hormonal therapies and supportive medications such as antiemetics and analgesics. They follow strict protocols for drug preparation, dosage verification, infusion rates and post-treatment monitoring, with particular attention to the handling of cytotoxic agents to protect both patients and staff.

Observation and monitoring during and after treatment are essential. Oncology nurses monitor vital signs, infusion sites, mental status and other clinical indicators for signs of adverse reactions, extravasation or hypersensitivity. They document findings accurately and escalate abnormalities promptly to the treating oncologist or advanced practitioner.

Symptom management is another core responsibility. Oncology nurses collaborate with the wider care team to manage pain, manage nausea and vomiting, treat constipation or diarrhoea, address mucositis, skin reactions and neuropathy, and support patients experiencing fatigue or sleep disturbances. This often involves both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions aligned with evidence-based guidelines.

In inpatient settings, duties can include the management of central venous access devices, wound and surgical site care, infection prevention and control practices, and implementation of neutropenic precautions where needed. In outpatient or day unit settings, oncology nurses manage treatment lists, prepare patients for infusions, assist with minor procedures, and coordinate follow-up appointments and investigations.

Patient and Family Education

Patient and family education forms a substantial component of oncology nurse job duties. Cancer treatment plans are complex, often involving surgery, radiotherapy, systemic therapies and supportive care. Oncology nurses explain treatment schedules, potential side effects, self-care strategies and warning signs that require urgent medical attention.

Education may cover how to care for central lines, maintain hygiene during periods of low immunity, manage nutrition challenges, stay active within safe limits, and cope with changes in body image or functioning. Oncology nurses tailor information to the patient’s literacy level, cultural context and emotional readiness, ensuring understanding is checked and reinforced over time.

Family members and caregivers are also supported with information about how to assist with medication routines, symptom monitoring and transport to appointments, and how to respond in emergency situations. Oncology nurses frequently provide guidance on safe handling of bodily fluids after chemotherapy, where applicable, in line with institutional policies.

Written materials, verbal explanations and, in some settings, group education sessions or support groups are used to deliver consistent, accurate information. Education is ongoing, as needs shift throughout the disease trajectory from diagnosis to survivorship, long-term follow-up or palliative care.

Psychosocial and Emotional Support

Oncology nurse job duties extend beyond physical care to supporting patients’ emotional and psychosocial needs. A cancer diagnosis may lead to anxiety, fear, depression, uncertainty and changes in family dynamics or employment. Oncology nurses use therapeutic communication skills to provide a supportive environment where patients feel heard and respected.

Duties include screening for distress, observing behavioural and emotional changes, and facilitating referrals to social workers, psychologists, counsellors or spiritual care providers when needed. Oncology nurses may also support patients and families in understanding prognosis discussions conducted by doctors, helping them process information and formulate questions.

In palliative and end-of-life care, oncology nurses focus on comfort, dignity and support for both patient and family. This can involve facilitating advance care planning discussions initiated by the wider team, explaining symptom control measures, and assisting families to navigate decisions aligned with the patient’s values and cultural practices. Emotional support is provided in a non-judgemental, culturally sensitive manner.

Care Coordination and Multidisciplinary Collaboration

Effective coordination of care across multiple services is an important oncology nurse duty. Cancer treatment often involves oncologists, surgeons, radiotherapists, pharmacists, dietitians, physiotherapists, social workers and other professionals. Oncology nurses act as a central point of contact for many aspects of patient care.

Duties can include preparing patients for multidisciplinary meetings, ensuring that necessary test results and documentation are available, and communicating changes in the treatment plan to patients and families. Oncology nurses may help schedule imaging, laboratory tests and follow-up consultations, and track whether patients have attended or require rescheduling.

They also relay important clinical information between settings, for example when a patient moves from an acute care ward back to primary care, or from hospital-based treatment to community or home-based care. Accurate documentation in patient records and communication with community nursing services or general practitioners supports continuity of care.

Safety, Infection Control and Quality Assurance

Oncology nurse job duties are closely linked with patient safety and quality improvement in cancer services. Handling chemotherapy and other hazardous drugs requires adherence to stringent occupational health and safety protocols. Oncology nurses follow institutional guidelines on personal protective equipment, disposal of cytotoxic waste and environmental cleaning of treatment areas.

Infection prevention is a priority, particularly for immunocompromised patients. Oncology nurses implement standard and transmission-based precautions, promote hand hygiene, screen for signs of infection, and educate patients and families about infection risk reduction at home. This includes advice about avoiding certain exposures and recognising early symptoms of infection.

Participation in quality assurance activities is often part of the role. Oncology nurses may contribute to audits, reporting of adverse events, medication error prevention initiatives and the development or review of clinical guidelines. In some settings, they may be involved in accreditation processes or service improvement projects related to oncology care.

Documentation and Record-Keeping

Accurate, timely and comprehensive documentation underpins safe oncology nursing practice. Oncology nurse job duties include recording assessments, interventions, medications administered, patient responses, adverse events and patient education provided.

In many facilities, electronic medical record systems are used, and oncology nurses must maintain data integrity, confidentiality and compliance with relevant legislation and organisational policies. Detailed records support continuity of care across shifts and departments, as well as providing data for clinical audits, research and service planning.

Discharge summaries, patient-held records and educational notes may also be completed to ensure that patients and referring clinicians are clear about ongoing treatment, symptom management plans and follow-up arrangements. Documentation is expected to be factual, objective and clearly attributed.

Professional Development and Research Participation

Oncology is a rapidly evolving field, making ongoing professional development a necessary part of oncology nurse job duties. Nurses in this specialty are expected to remain up to date with new treatments, side-effect profiles, guidelines and supportive care practices through formal courses, conferences, in-service training and independent study, subject to employer support and regulatory requirements.

In some settings, oncology nurses may participate in clinical research or clinical trials, under the oversight of principal investigators and institutional review boards. Duties can include patient education about trial participation, monitoring for protocol-specific adverse events, data collection, and ensuring that trial procedures are followed as per approved protocols. Specific responsibilities depend on the role and qualification of the nurse within the research team.

Professional development may also involve mentorship of junior nurses and nursing students, contributing to skills transfer and the strengthening of oncology nursing capacity in South Africa.

Location and Industry Context

Oncology nurse job duties in South Africa are influenced by the broader healthcare context, including differences between the public and private sectors, and between urban and rural settings. In large metropolitan hospitals and specialised oncology centres, nurses may work in highly specialised units such as chemotherapy day wards, radiation oncology departments or haematology-oncology wards.

In smaller or more resource-constrained facilities, oncology nurses may have a broader scope, caring for patients with mixed medical conditions in addition to cancer, and coordinating referrals to tertiary centres for specialised treatment. Access to diagnostic services, advanced therapies and palliative care resources can shape how duties are prioritised and executed.

National health policies, clinical guidelines and regulatory standards provide a framework within which oncology nurses operate. Training and certification requirements are determined by regulatory and educational institutions, and oncology nurses must work within the legal scope of practice for registered or enrolled nurses as defined in South Africa.

Contact Information

Specific centralised contact information for oncology nurses as a professional group in South Africa is not publicly available. Contact details for individual oncology units, hospitals or clinics are usually listed on the respective institution’s official website or through their official communication channels.

Contact information for the organisation behind Duties.co.za is not publicly available beyond what appears on the website itself.

Conclusion

Oncology nurse job duties encompass comprehensive clinical care, patient and family education, psychosocial support, care coordination and a strong commitment to safety and quality. These duties are shaped by regulatory frameworks, institutional policies and the evolving nature of cancer treatment in South Africa. By combining technical expertise with compassionate communication and meticulous coordination, oncology nurses contribute significantly to the quality and continuity of care for patients living with cancer.