Nurse Practitioner for Hospice Services

About the role

Responsible for working autonomously but in collaboration with physicians to deliver medical care to hospice patients.

Essential duties and responsibilities

• Provides advanced practice nursing services by managing acute and chronic conditions.
• Develops treatment plans for patients at home and possible other resident settings.
• Performs on-site services for assessment in residential settings as needed.
• Maintains regular communication with the Patient Care Manager to review caseload.
• Maintains regular communication with the attending physician concerning patient/family caseload.
• Obtains data on physical, psychological, social and spiritual factors that may influence patient/family health status and incorporates that data into the plan of care.
• Works closely with health care agencies to coordinate medical care.
• Provides Hospice nursing care based on systematic assessment focusing on pain control and symptom management.
• Teaches, supervises and counsels patients/families regarding physical care and other problems related to the patient's terminal condition.
• Provides guidance to patients/families to assist them in preparing for and coping with anticipated physical and psychological events throughout the dying process.
• Accurately documents observations, interventions and evaluations pertaining to patient care management and services provided in accordance with Hospice policy and procedures on the day services are rendered. Submits documentation in a timely manner.
• Participates in IDG conference and facilitates discussion of issues from caseload for full staff discussion, consultation and evaluation.
• Informs the Director of Hospice of unusual or potentially problematic patient/family issues.
• Assumes role of associate nurse when responding to patients/families of other primary nurses during on-call time, or when requested by the Director of Hospice to fill patient/family needs during the absence of another Primary Care Nurse.
• Participates in Hospice's orientation and in-service training programs for staff.
• Participates in Hospice and community programs as requested to promote professional growth and understanding of Hospice care.
• Demonstrates familiarity with policies of the Hospice and rules and regulations of the State and Federal bodies which govern the provision of hospice care.
• Supports and implements Hospice policies regarding patient/family care.
• Complies with the Corporate Compliance program.
• Complies with the organization's Privacy & Security procedures.
• Promotes the image and reputation of the System by exhibiting servant leadership and providing direct and open lines of communication.
• Contributes to the work of committees, workgroups, project management, and other collaborative efforts of the System.
• Performs other duties as necessary to ensure the success of the System.

Skills and abilities

• Demonstrated ability to assess and respond to the needs of patients and families in varied settings and to cope with emotional stress.
• Must be able to function in a practice environment with minimal direct supervision, accepting personal responsibility for maintaining a professional relationship with patients and their families.
• Must accept responsibility for maintaining clinical practice skills, learning and adhering to Hospice's policies and procedures on an on-going basis.
• Extensive knowledge of healthcare and long-term care organizations and their structure.
• Ability to effectively communicate and present information in a clear and concise manner, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, department heads, administrators, member organization presidents and their leadership teams, and the general public.

Qualifications

• Graduate of Masters or Doctoral Nurse Practitioner Program that meets the standards of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
• Previous experience and education in palliative care preferred.
• Ability to meet Hospice's conditions of employment regarding health clearance, and provisions of professional references.