Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Job Summary

Provides direct hospice or palliative care to terminally ill patients and their families while functioning within a medically approved plan of care. The Nurse Practitioner will deliver services under the direction of the interdisciplinary team and Chief Medical Officer or Hospice Physician.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the agency’s mission, philosophy and scope of services.
2. Demonstrates knowledge and respect of rights and responsibilities by observance of patient/participant: Privacy, confidentiality and safety, including reporting of patient/participant abuse or neglect.
3. Foster and maintain an effective working relationship between co-workers, patients, families, caregivers, and other professional members of the community.
4. Demonstrates reliability by: Making every attempt to report to work on time and providing proper notification for absence or tardiness.
5. Demonstrates ability to problem-solve and make decisions by: Assessing situations and considering all possibilities to resolve the issues then correcting the problems presented in a reasonable amount of time.
6. Seeks guidance and direction as needed, utilizing proper chain of command.
7. Demonstrates professionalism at all times by respectful interpersonal relationships with employees, patients, families, caregivers, referral sources, contractors, and community members.
8. Demonstrates effective time management skills by: Coordinating activities to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency, willingness to adjust or revise work schedules as requested, seeking prior authorization for overtime, adhering to the policy for make-up time, completing assigned projects within specified time frames.
9. Participates in Performance Improvement activities when requested.
10. Works well independently and within the Interdisciplinary Team structure.
11. Promotes a team approach through cooperation, mutual respect, flexibility and dependability.
12. Ensures all regulatory standards for State, Federal and CHAP are met.
13. Assumes responsibility for on-going personal development and continuing education.
14. Completes monthly and annual trainings as assigned by the Governing Board, Director of Human Resources and/or Director of Nursing.
15. Creates opportunities for new referrals and referral relationships when representing the company in the community.
16. Supports the philosophy, objectives and mission of BeLoved Hospice.
17. Stays current with all mandatory agency requirements.
18. Attire to be consistent with the BeLoved Hospice dress code policy.

Specific to Position:

1. Follows an individualized Plan of Care established by the interdisciplinary team for each patient.
2. Acts as an expert consultant or attending physician for hospice patients as assigned
3. Assists the Chief Medical Officer and/or Hospice Physician in the oversight of patient care by providing direction for orders and interventions to optimize patient outcomes.
4. Assists RN Case Managers with identifying treatment goals and interventions for patients.
5. Performs face-to-face visits for patients within a specified time frame.
6. Assists clinical team with family coping by providing advanced medical insight to patient conditions and treatment options.
7. Capable of giving adequate report on patient’s condition to the Chief Medical Officer, Hospice Medical Director, RN Case Managers and other members of the interdisciplinary team, as needed.
8. Reports unusual conditions, observations and pertinent information to the correct interdisciplinary team members.
9. Immediately reports any changes to the RN Case Manager and interdisciplinary team.
10. May participate in the competence evaluations of nursing staff and other nurse practitioners.
11. Participates in community education, as requested, by the Administrator, Director of Nursing or Chief Medical Officer
12. Shares in the hospice physician on-call rotation, with back-up available at all times from the hospice physicians.
13. Serves as a source of clinical expertise to hospice staff, agency, providers, and payer sources.
14. Acts as a resource for prescriptions when patient’s attending physician is not available.
15. May perform or assist in medical procedures at the patient’s residence, including intravenous or subcutaneous line placement, phlebotomy and wound care.
16. Maintains in-depth knowledge of pharmaceuticals for management of patient symptoms including, but not limited to, pain, shortness of breath, nausea, constipation and agitation.
17. Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings
18. Participates in Performance Improvement activities as requested.
19. Provides intervention and support as needed related to terminal illness and loss within Scope of Practice.
20. Gather data to assist Chief Medical Officer or Hospice Physician in determining patient certification or recertification of hospice services.
21. Consults appropriately with Chief Medical Officer or Hospice Physician if uncertain about management of a disease, treatment options, or if required interventions beyond the knowledge and expertise of the nurse practitioner.
22. Provides emotional and spiritual support and makes appropriate referrals to other team members
23. Facilitates communication among patient, family and hospice team
24. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to perform this job.

1. Must be hold active certification as a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioner (AANP)or American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
2. Maintains active NP and RN licensure with the State Board of Nursing.
3. Maintains Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification.
4. Maintains active NPI and DEA registration and provides such information to the hospice
5. Prefer prior experience in hospice or palliative care.
6. Must be able to speak, read and write the English language.
7. Must have reliable transportation and maintain auto insurance.
8. Successful completion of background check pursuant to state law
9. Must be able to handle frequent interruptions, problem solve, and have exceptional follow through skills.
10. Must be able to cope with emotionally charged situations encompassing patients, families, caregivers, and team members.