The oncology nurse who visits your home for each pembrolizumab treatment cycle is not simply someone who administers an injection. They are a clinically trained professional who plays a central role in your safety and care throughout treatment. Understanding what they bring to each visit helps you know what to expect and what to share with them.
Training and qualifications
Oncology nurses hold a registered nursing qualification and have additional training in oncology and the administration of cancer treatments, including immunotherapy drugs. Those delivering home-based pembrolizumab are trained specifically in subcutaneous administration technique, immunotherapy side effect recognition, clinical observations, and escalation protocols.
Before administering a new treatment in any patient's home, our nurses complete a site assessment and are briefed on the individual patient's clinical profile. They are not visiting strangers - they are informed, prepared professionals who have reviewed your clinical context.
What they do at each visit
Every visit follows a structured clinical protocol. The nurse begins with baseline observations - blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and oxygen saturation. They conduct a symptom review, asking about side effects or concerns since the last cycle. The injection is then administered, followed by a post-injection monitoring period. Throughout, they are assessing your condition and documenting the visit.
The nurse is also your first clinical point of contact - the person you speak to if something does not feel right. Many patients find that this one-to-one relationship, developed over successive visits, becomes an important part of how they manage treatment and feel supported through it.
Communication with the oncologist
After each visit, the nurse communicates relevant observations to the supervising oncologist. If anything requires clinical review - a symptom that needs investigation, a blood result that has come back abnormal - the oncologist is notified promptly. This two-way communication between nurse and oncologist is the mechanism through which clinical oversight is maintained in the home setting. The nurse is not operating independently; they are part of a coordinated clinical team.
Want to understand the team behind home treatment?
The Welcome Call is a good opportunity to meet the clinical team and understand exactly who is involved. Start with the eligibility check.
Check your eligibility