Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner

Family Practice Center, PC has a Full-Time Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner position now available at our office located in our Harrisburg Office.

The Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner provides comprehensive, patient-centered palliative care to adults with serious or life-limiting illness. The NP will travel to patients' homes, including private residences and assisted living or independent living communities, to manage symptoms, support complex decision-making, facilitate goals-of-care conversations, and coordinate care with primary care providers, specialists, hospice agencies, and families. The role is both clinical and developmental: the NP will help shape workflows, referral pathways, and community partnerships as the program grows.

Family Practice Center, PC is an independent, physician-owned primary care organization serving communities across the Harrisburg region. Because we are not part of a large health system, our clinicians have more autonomy, closer collaboration with physician leadership, and the time to build real relationships with patients and families. We are expanding our services to bring palliative care directly to patients in their homes, and we are seeking a compassionate, experienced Nurse Practitioner to help build and lead this program.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Care

• Conduct comprehensive in-home palliative assessments, including physical, functional, cognitive, psychosocial, and spiritual needs
• Manage pain and non-pain symptoms (e.g., dyspnea, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, depression, delirium, constipation), including opioid and non-opioid pharmacologic management
• Lead advance care planning and goals-of-care discussions, and complete documentation such as POLST, advance directives, and code status orders
• Provide prognostic guidance and help patients and families understand disease trajectory and treatment options
• Assess hospice eligibility and facilitate timely, compassionate hospice transitions
• Provide education and emotional support to patients, caregivers, and families, including bereavement support
• Perform telehealth follow-up visits when clinically appropriate

Care Coordination

• Collaborate closely with PCPs, specialists, nurses, social workers, and care coordinators within the practice
• Communicate with hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, hospice providers, and community resources
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and care conferences
• Ensure smooth transitions of care following hospitalization or changes in condition

Program Development & Community Engagement

• Take ownership in managing the program schedules, and assistant in future development in collaboration with leadership and Medical Director
• Help develop clinical protocols, referral criteria, and documentation standards for the palliative program
• Build relationships with referring providers, facilities, and community organizations
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and track program outcomes
• Provide education to practice staff on palliative care principles

Documentation & Compliance

• Complete timely, accurate documentation in the EHR, including mobile documentation during or after home visits
• Comply with billing, coding, and regulatory requirements for palliative and home-based care (including E/M, advance care planning, and prolonged service codes as applicable)
• Adhere to practice policies, HIPAA, and Pennsylvania regulations

Qualifications:

Required

• Master's or Doctoral degree from an accredited Nurse Practitioner program
• Active, unrestricted Pennsylvania RN license and CRNP licensure
• National NP certification (AGPCNP, FNP, AGACNP, or equivalent)
• Current DEA registration and PA controlled substance prescriptive authority (or ability to obtain prior to start)
• Minimum [2-3] years of NP or advanced clinical experience with adults, preferably in primary care, geriatrics, oncology, hospice, or palliative care
• Comfort with autonomous decision-making and independent, in-home practice
• Valid driver's license, reliable vehicle, and current auto insurance
• Ability to travel throughout the Harrisburg region and surrounding counties [e.g., Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry, Lebanon, York]
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to navigate sensitive conversations with empathy

Preferred

• Palliative care certification (ACHPN) or willingness to obtain within [12-24] months
• Experience with home-based primary care, house calls, or hospice
• Training in serious illness communication
• Familiarity with Medicare and Medicare Advantage billing for palliative and home-based services
• Experience building or launching new clinical programs

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Approximately [70-80%] of time spent traveling to and conducting visits in patient homes and community residential settings
• Exposure to varied home environments, including pets, smoking, and limited space
• Ability to lift, bend, kneel, and assist with light patient positioning as needed
• Ability to carry a mobile medical bag and equipment
• Occasional flexibility for urgent patient needs
• Emotional resilience in a role that regularly involves serious illness and end-of-life care

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary of $120,000-$140,000, based on experience and qualifications
• Quality/productivity incentive, e.g., up to 5-10% of base
• Sign-on bonus or relocation assistance for discussion
• Mileage reimbursement at the IRS rate, plus a provided [laptop, tablet, mobile phone, hotspot]
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid time off and holidays: 3 weeks of vacation and 1 week of CME
• CME allowance and paid time for conferences, with support for ACHPN exam and preparation costs
• Malpractice insurance with tail coverage
• Physician collaboration agreement and clinical support, with a culture of mentorship and shared decision-making
• Reasonable visit volume that allows time for meaningful patient and family conversations
• The chance to shape a new program within a stable, locally owned practice

Equal Opportunity Statement

Family Practice Center, PC is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.