Job Summary
The Nurse Practitioner is a registered professional nurse with advanced graduate education and clinical training who provides comprehensive hospice services in compliance with the state Nurse Practice Act and under the supervision of a collaborating physician. The Nurse Practitioner provides hospice care through the evaluation and assessment of the health history, health promotion, diagnosing medical conditions, management of health problems by directing and developing the plan of care, prescribing medications or treatments, coordinating and collaborating with patients, families and other healthcare practitioners. Under the supervision of a physician, the nurse practitioner visits patients, completes physical assessments, performs face-to-face assessments and evaluates hospice eligibility in consultation with the hospice interdisciplinary team. The nurse practitioner builds from the resources of the community to plan and direct services to meet the needs of individuals and families within their homes and communities.
Responsibilities
Patient Care
- Provide medical care, palliates and manages terminal illness in compliance with state regulations under physician supervision.
- Complete history and physical examinations, evaluate the patient’s medical condition and health history, order and interpret results from laboratory and diagnostic tests, diagnose health conditions and document findings in the patient’s medical record.
- Manage health conditions and terminal illnesses by developing individualized plans of care, prescribing medications or treatments, obtaining consultations or referrals, and coordinating hospice care services.
- Complete hospice face‑to‑face visit requirements before the third and subsequent hospice benefit periods to assess eligibility based on hospice conditions of participation and local coverage determinations.
- Provide clinical information to the hospice medical director for eligibility interpretation and recertification.
- Make recommendations regarding patient eligibility for certification and recertification of hospice care.
- Review clinical information and coordinate patient care in consultation with the hospice interdisciplinary team and other healthcare practitioners.
- Ensure patient receives appropriate symptom‑control measures through collaboration with interdisciplinary team members.
Communication
- Communicate and collaborate with the interdisciplinary group to create, review and revise patient plans of care.
- Consult with attending physicians, hospice medical director and other healthcare practitioners regarding patient eligibility, ongoing care needs and medical management.
- Coordinate with community health practitioners to align care plans.
- Participate in hospice interdisciplinary group meetings.
- Maintain accurate and relevant clinical notes, physical examination notes, assessment visit notes, medical orders and collaboration notes in the medical record.
- Educate/counsel patients, families and caregivers regarding preventative care, medical problems, psychological issues and spiritual concerns.
- Maintain a safe environment for patients and assist family/caregivers and team members in continuity of care.
- Serve as a nursing resource for consultation and education to the interdisciplinary team and other community healthcare practitioners.
Additional Duties
- Maintain knowledge of and comply with Medicare/Medicaid, state/federal rules and regulations for hospice services.
- Ensure compliance with Medicare conditions of participation and other state regulations governing healthcare provision.
- Adhere to HIPAA requirements in line with federal, state and organizational policies.
- Participate in monitoring and quality improvement initiatives.
- Engage in personal growth by attending seminars, conferences and continuing education activities.
- Fulfill requested or accepted assignments as needed.
- Demonstrate effective communication and counseling skills when dealing with end‑of‑life issues.
Qualifications
- Graduation from an accredited School of Nursing and an accredited Nurse Practitioner Program.
- Master’s degree with at least one year of Nurse Practitioner experience and at least one year of hospice or palliative care experience.
- Current nursing licensure in the state and CPR certification.
- Accreditation from an approved certifying body for advanced practice nursing as required by state.
- Specialist certification preferred (e.g., Hospice and Palliative Nursing (CHPN), Pediatrics, Geriatrics).
- Excellent observation, verbal and written communication, problem‑solving and mathematical skills.
- Physical ability to walk, stand, lift, transfer patients and supplies, reach, stoop, bend, kneel or crouch as required.
- Visual acuity and hearing sufficient to perform necessary nursing skills.
- Valid driver’s license, automobile insurance and reliable transportation for agency travel.
EEO Statement
The employer is an equal opportunity employer committed to ensuring that all conditions and privileges of employment, including recruitment, hiring, evaluation, transfer, promotion, discipline, determination of compensation and/or benefits, and termination of employment, for all job classifications, are based on qualifications and work record. No employment decision is made, nor is discrimination permitted on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex/pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, veteran status or disability.