NP - Pediatric Pain & Palliative Care

Join a collaborative team of 2 physicians, another APN, Nurse Navigator, Social Worker, Child Life Specialist, and a psychologist, providing care for children from birth to 22 years of age in both inpatient and outpatient settings at HUMC Children's Hospital. The role includes an on-call requirement for weeknights and weekends, with occasional weekend and holiday work as needed.

About the role

The Pediatric Pain and Palliative Care Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) utilizes a patient-centered coordinated care model, demonstrating competencies in leadership, direct clinical practice, consultation/collaboration, coaching/guiding, research, and ethical decision-making. Preference for candidates with pediatric acute care/inpatient experience, palliative care experience, pediatric hem-onc, or BMT.

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8-hour days (likely 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM or 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM).

Responsibilities

• Performs and documents accurate, complete, and relevant history and physical assessments appropriate for the patient's age, gender, and clinical problem.
• Orders, performs, and interprets laboratory tests and diagnostic studies/procedures in collaboration with physicians and consultants as appropriate.
• Manages general medical and surgical conditions based on comprehensive knowledge of etiologies, risk factors, pathophysiology, and the indications and contraindications of pharmacologic agents and other treatment modalities.
• Prescribes medication safely and effectively in accordance with best practices, hospital policy, and NJ regulations, providing patient education as needed.
• Seeks opportunities to promote Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) APN practice recognition through conferences, publications, and presentations.
• Provides care that is patient- and family-centered, compassionate, and effective for the promotion of health and treatment of disease.
• Practices as a healthcare provider according to the rules and regulations of the Medical Staff and bylaws as outlined in the delineation of privileges.
• Adheres to HMH nursing protocols, standards of care, and disease-specific quality indicators.
• Applies evidence-based and value-based medicine to systematically analyze and improve patient care practices and outcomes.
• Evaluates patient/family transition of care planning, considering resource utilization, cost, quality, safety, and self-management promotion for chronic conditions.
• Demonstrates clinical expertise through advanced assessment and procedural skills pertinent to the practice specialty.
• Completes medication reconciliations as appropriate.
• Participates in annual APN peer review.
• Translates 'best practice' into clinical practice by evaluating current protocols and standards of care.
• Provides culturally sensitive and educationally appropriate health management education to patients and families.
• Facilitates consistent, coordinated care and clear communication among all members of the healthcare team through participation in daily interdisciplinary rounds.
• Serves as an advocate for patients and families, identifying and addressing obstacles to care progression and escalating issues as appropriate.
• Serves as a clinical resource for the multidisciplinary team by addressing clinical, process, and system improvement opportunities.
• Participates in organizational and departmental meetings, committees, and workgroups as necessary.
• Demonstrates the highest level of accountability for professional practice and adheres to ethical principles regarding patient confidentiality, informed consent, and adverse outcomes.
• Collaborates with medical staff to support nursing-led protocols.
• Mentors other APNs, precepts students in APN programs, and participates in educational programs for nursing as a clinical expert.
• Identifies patient/family educational needs and collaborates to implement appropriate teaching materials.
• Facilitates and participates in nursing educational programs as a clinical expert.
• Promotes a collaborative work environment supporting the organizational mission, behavior expectations, values, and pillars.
• Promotes innovation by integrating new clinical knowledge into practice.
• Participates in clinical research activities and disseminates findings through practice, education, presentations, and publications.
• Identifies ethical care issues and coordinates interdisciplinary meetings to resolve them.
• Adheres to the legal framework and scope of practice defined by the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs, ensuring compliance with all applicable statutes and professional standards.
• Complies with HMH and department-specific scope of services, policies, and procedures as applicable to role.
• Other duties and/or projects as assigned.
• Adheres to HMH Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.

Qualifications

Required Education & Experience

• Graduate of an NLN/AACN accredited nursing program.
• Master's or Doctorate degree from an accredited Nurse Practitioner program.
• Proven clinical competency maintained through ongoing clinical practice and continuing education.
• Experience in a relevant patient care setting.

Required Skills & Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with computer platforms, including Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite.
• Ability to maintain a collaborative practice agreement with staff physicians.

Required Licenses & Certifications

• Current NJ State Professional Registered Nurse License.
• Active Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) certification in New Jersey.
• Board certification from AANP or ANCC.
• BLS (AHA Basic Health Care Life Support HCP) Certification.
• National Provider Identifier (NPI).
• Active CDS and DEA registrations for prescriptive authority in New Jersey.

Preferred Licenses & Certifications

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification.

Pay

Minimum annual base pay: $156,644.80. HMH is committed to pay equity and transparency, with the posted rate reflecting a reasonable good faith estimate of the minimum base pay for this role at the time of posting. The starting rate may vary based on labor market data, experience, education, certifications, skills, geographic location, internal equity, budget, and grant funding. Full-time and part-time (20+ hours/week) positions include a comprehensive benefits package, such as health, dental, vision, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits. Some roles may also be eligible for performance-based incentives, bonuses, commissions, or shift differentials for evening, night, or weekend shifts.