Are you aware of the safety precautions that oncology nurses need to abide by on the job?
Nurses in every medical specialty are subjected to unique safety hazards on the job. For oncology nurses, the number one safety hazard is chemotherapy treatment. In the chemotherapy setting, nurses, therapists, and physicians are required to wear gloves, goggles, gowns, and masks to avoid all direct contact with the strong drugs. First and foremost, your interviewer needs to know that you are fully aware of this hazard. Then, they'll hope to hear that you always keep safety at the top of your mind. Make sure to briefly touch on the safety precautions you take in your work and any formal safety training you've received throughout the course of your career.
"Yes, I'm certainly aware of the hazards that chemotherapy drugs present to caregivers and the PPE requirements of staff. I want you to know that these are safety precautions I would always abide by as an oncology nurse on your team. I have had formal training on PPE usage, respiratory protection, bloodborne pathogens, and behavioral safety over the course of the last year and I know that all are important in the cancer care setting. If hired for this role, I'd also be more than happy to take any required safety training from your institution."
