Nurse Practitioner

Svdpnky; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

ExcelaCare Hospice in Las Cruces, NM is seeking a Nurse Practitioner to join our hospice care team. You will assess patients, develop care plans, manage symptoms, and support families through end-of-life care, collaborating closely with physicians, nurses, social workers, and chaplains.

The role emphasizes compassionate, patient-centered care, accurate documentation, QAPI participation, and ongoing professional education.

Qualifications

• Education: An advanced degree in nursing, MSN or DNP required.
• Experience: 3 years hospice/palliative experience preferred.
• License: Driver’s license and current auto liability insurance; licensed to practice.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients' physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs.
• Develop, implement, and review individualized care plans.
• Manage pain and other distressing symptoms.
• Educate patients and families about care options and advance directives.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, social workers, and chaplains.
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation and participate in QAPI.

Skills

Organizational skills

Supervision

Independent work

Compassionate care

Time management

Communication skills

Math skills

Education

MSN or DNP

Job description

About Us:

At ExcelaCare Hospice, we believe Hospice care is more than a service—it’s a calling. Every day, our team brings comfort, dignity, and peace of mind to patients and families facing life’s most delicate moments. With compassion at our core, we create a workplace where kindness leads, voices are heard, and every role carries purpose. If you’re looking to make a difference in the lives of others while being part of a team that feels like family, we’d love to welcome you.

Job Summary:

The Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a vital member of the hospice care team, responsible for providing advanced clinical care to patients with terminal illnesses. This role involves assessing patient needs, developing and implementing care plans, managing symptoms, and supporting patients and their families through the end-of-life process. The NP works collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team to ensure the delivery of high-quality hospice care.

Essential Functions:

Patient Assessment and Care Planning:

• Conduct comprehensive assessments of patients' physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs.
• Develop, implement, and periodically review individualized care plans in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.

Symptom Management:

• Provide expert management of pain and other distressing symptoms.
• Prescribe medications and treatments as appropriate, in accordance with state and federal regulations.

Patient and Family Education:

• Educate patients and their families about disease processes, symptom management, and the hospice philosophy.
• Provide guidance on advance directives and end-of-life decision-making.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration:

• Work closely with physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other members of the hospice team to coordinate care.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss and update patient care plans.

Clinical Documentation:

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of patient assessments, care plans, and treatments.
• Ensure compliance with hospice policies, state and federal regulations, and accreditation standards.

Quality Improvement:

• Participate in quality assessment and performance improvement (QAPI) initiatives.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of evidence-based practices in hospice care.

Crisis Intervention:

• Provide support and interventions during patient crises, including the need for higher levels of care or emergency situations.
• Facilitate the transition to other care settings when necessary, such as inpatient hospice or hospital.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Performs other duties as assigned or requested.
• Conforms to all applicable Agency policies and procedures.
• Mentor and provide education to nursing staff and other team members as needed
• Participates actively in continuing education and in-services.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient information and business trade practices
• Assumes accountability for reporting incidents and complaints according to Agency policy.
• Strong clinical skills in pain and symptom management

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities:

• Organizational skills
• Ability to supervise in accordance with Agency’s policies and applicable laws.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team
• Compassionate and patient-centered approach to care
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
• Time management
• Advanced written and verbal interpersonal communication
• Basic math skills related to patient care.

Age-Related Competencies:

Demonstrates the basic knowledge and skills necessary to identify age-specific patient needs appropriate for this position.

Information Management:

Treats all information and data within the scope of the position with appropriate confidentiality and security.

Management:

• Cooperates fully in all risk management activities and investigations.
• Keeps abreast of changes in health care law.
• Maintains Agency/program compliance with local, state, and federal laws as well as state accreditation standards.

Minimum Position Qualifications:

• Education: An advanced degree in nursing, either an MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) or DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice).
• Experience: 3 years hospice/palliative experience, preferred.
• License / Certification: Driver’s license and proof of current auto liability insurance; no listing in the OIG Excluded Provider listing; Certified to practice in the state in which employed.

Environmental Conditions:

Works under a variety of conditions in facilities and offices; ability to work flexible schedule, ability to travel locally; some exposure to unpleasant weather. Moderate noise level; tasks may involve exposure to bloodborne pathogens; moderate stress and emotional demands.

Physical Requirements: Sitting is required. Requires ability to always handle stressful situations in a calm and courteous manner. Requires working under some stressful conditions to meet deadlines and agency needs. Ability to travel.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities.