Nurse Practitioner

This Nurse Practitioner position provides comprehensive hospice and palliative care services to patients and families in their homes and communities. Working under the supervision of a collaborating physician and in compliance with state Nurse Practice Act requirements, you will evaluate patient health histories, assess hospice eligibility, diagnose medical conditions, manage terminal illnesses, and direct individualized plans of care.

Responsibilities

Patient Care

• Complete history and physical examinations by evaluating medical conditions and health histories
• Order and interpret laboratory and diagnostic test results
• Diagnose health conditions and document findings in medical records
• Develop individualized plans of care for managing health conditions and terminal illnesses
• Prescribe medications and treatments
• Obtain consultations and make referrals as needed
• Coordinate hospice care services
• Complete required face-to-face hospice visits prior to third and subsequent benefit periods
• Assess hospice eligibility based on conditions of participation and local coverage determinations
• Provide clinical information to the hospice medical director for eligibility interpretation
• Make recommendations regarding patient eligibility for hospice certification and recertification
• Review and coordinate patient care in consultation with the interdisciplinary team
• Ensure patients receive appropriate symptom management measures
• Review clinical information and develop treatment protocols in collaboration with the collaborating physician
• Consult with the collaborating physician when patient care falls outside standardized practice and protocols

Communication and Collaboration

• Communicate and collaborate with the interdisciplinary group to create, review, and revise patient care plans
• Consult with the patient's attending physician, hospice medical director, and other healthcare practitioners
• Communicate with community health practitioners to coordinate care
• Attend and participate in hospice interdisciplinary group meetings
• Complete, maintain, and submit accurate clinical notes, physical examination notes, assessment visit notes, medical orders, and collaboration notes
• Educate and counsel patients, families, and caregivers regarding preventative care, medical problems, psychological problems, and spiritual problems
• Provide and maintain a safe environment for patients
• Assist patients, families, caregivers, and team members in providing continuity of care
• Work cooperatively with families and the hospice interdisciplinary group to identify care goals
• Serve as a nursing resource for consultation and education to interdisciplinary team members and community healthcare practitioners
• Establish and nurture relationships with staff and community referral sources

Additional Duties

• Maintain knowledge of and compliance with current Medicare/Medicaid, state, and federal rules and regulations for hospice services
• Ensure compliance with Medicare conditions of participation and state regulations
• Comply with all HIPAA requirements in accordance with federal, state, and organizational policies
• Participate in organizational quality monitoring and quality improvement initiatives
• Pursue personal and professional growth through continuing education, seminars, conferences, and in-service classes
• Fulfill requested and accepted assignments
• Demonstrate knowledge in communication and counseling regarding end-of-life issues

Required Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited School of Nursing
• Graduation from an accredited Nurse Practitioner Program
• Master's degree
• Minimum one year of Nurse Practitioner experience
• Minimum one year of hospice or palliative care experience
• Current nursing licensure in your state
• Current CPR certification
• Accreditation from an approved certifying body for advanced practice nursing as required by your state
• Excellent observation, verbal, and written communication skills
• Problem-solving and mathematical skills
• Nursing skills per competency checklist
• Ability to perform prolonged or considerable walking or standing
• Ability to lift, position, and transfer patients
• Ability to lift supplies and equipment
• Ability to reach, stoop, bend, kneel, and crouch as needed
• Adequate visual acuity and hearing to perform required nursing skills
• Valid driver's license with an insured automobile in good working order that meets state and organizational requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification in a specialist area such as Hospice and Palliative Nursing (CHPN), Pediatrics, or Geriatrics