The Cancer Genetics NP/PA is a clinician who demonstrates clinical, research expertise and leadership skills. The NP/PA uses clinical and academic acumen in the evaluation, diagnosis, recommendation, and follow-ups of patients with Cancer Genetics.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute brings together world renowned clinicians, innovative researchers and dedicated professionals, allies in the common mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. Combining extremely talented people with the best technologies in a genuinely positive environment, we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all ages; we conduct research that advances treatment; we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers; we reach out to underserved members of our community; and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

The NP/PA is a member of an interdisciplinary care team that requires effective communication and collaboration with co-workers at the Institute in addition to collaborating institutions and agencies. The role requires critical thinking, an understanding of research principles and practices and leadership that improves the quality of care and advances nursing/medical care within the work setting and throughout the community. The NP/PA takes advantage of formal and informal learning opportunities to strengthen his or her knowledge base in support of the Institute’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values.

Clinical

• May see established patients with hereditary cancer syndromes including but not limited to familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), BRCA1/2, Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS), and Lynch syndrome, on alternating visits with the physician.
• May see other established patient types, such as patients at risk for breast and pancreatic cancer based on family history, or those with a concerning history of colon polyps.
• May see established patients independently for results review, symptom management, or evaluation of new clinical concerns.
• The NP/PA has prescriptive authority which includes schedule II through V controlled substances in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as well as chemotherapy.
• May perform skin biopsies for germline genetic testing once procedural privilege obtained.

  Follow-up   

• Responsible for follow-up and documentation of all patient encounters, in person and virtual.
• May present at Patient Review and/or consult with the attending physician or genetic counselor for patients that have new findings, concerns, symptoms or if there is a new cancer diagnosis in the family.
• May assist in the care of established patients’ symptoms/issues concerns in collaboration with the physician.

Research and program development

• May participate in ongoing and new research protocols.
• May attend and participate in genetics conferences and seminars, consider enrolling in City of Hope Intensive Cancer Genetics Course.
• Develops, conducts, and performs or evaluates genetic nursing research in conjunction with other genetic nurse practitioners and/or other clinicians and researchers in the program or outside of the program or institute.
• May be involved in program development, quality improvement initiatives.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong.  As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff.  Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

NP Qualifications:

• Authorization to practice in an expanded role as a Nurse Practitioner in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• Current certification from a nationally recognized accrediting body approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing for Nurse Practitioners
• Minimum of 24 contact hours beyond generic education in pharmacotherapeutics
• Masters degree in Nursing
• Minimum of 1 year oncology nursing experience or 1 year Nurse Practitioner experience
• Oncology Nurse Practitioner experience preferred
• In possession of Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Federal DEA numbers
• Certification in Oncology Nursing preferred - OCN, AOCN, CPON, BMTCN, CPHON 

PA Qualifications:

A Masters Degree and successful completion of an AAPA/NCCPA accredited Physician Assistant Studies program are required.   Must be NCCPA Certified and licensed to practice as a Physician Assistant in Massachusetts.  Must maintain current DEA and Massachusetts Controlled Substance Licenses, and complete 100 hours of CME according to national and state regulations during each 2 year period of employment.

PA I:      No professional experience required.

PA II:     2 years of qualifying professional Physician Assistant experience 

PA III:    5 years of qualifying professional Physician Assistant experience 

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is honored to be one of the organizations to receive the American Academy of PAs’ (AAPA) Center for Healthcare Leadership and Management (CHLM) 2020-2021 Employer of Excellence Award. The EOE Awards, the first and only PA-specific award program for organizations, is designed to showcase employers that have implemented practices that create positive work environments for PAs and encourage collaborative provider teams.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other groups as protected by law.