Nurse Practitioner - PPV

About the Role

The Nurse Practitioner - PPV is responsible for modeling the Compassus values of Compassion, Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork, and Innovation and for promoting the Compassus philosophy, using the 6 Pillars of Success as the foundation. The role involves upholding the Code of Ethical Conduct and promoting positive working relationships within the company, among all departments, and with external stakeholders.

If providing palliative care, the Nurse Practitioner cares for patients facing chronic, complex, and/or life-threatening conditions at various locations. Responsibilities include assessments, disease and treatment education, and symptom management to meet the needs of patients and their families, helping them maintain their maximum level of comfort and coping. Care and support are provided in collaboration with the primary care physician (PCP) and specialists, ensuring compliance with practice standards and codes.

If providing hospice care, the Nurse Practitioner functions as an extension of the interdisciplinary team (IDT) and hospice physician to provide routine recertification, emergency assessments, educational, and evaluative services. The role involves helping patients and families maintain comfort and coping, flexing schedule to meet agency visit needs, and potentially providing after-hours emergency visits and/or admissions.

Responsibilities

If Providing Hospice Care:

• Performs routine and emergency assessments:
  • Completes routine and emergency recertification visits on each patient entering their 3rd benefit period or beyond (including admissions and transfers).
  • Completes routine and emergency assessments as indicated by departmental policy.
  • Records observations, treatments, and other pertinent information.
  • Communicates with Medical Director, Attending Physician, DCS, and IDT regarding findings and measures to alleviate symptoms.
• Provides physical and emotional care to support the patient and family during periods of crisis.
• Prevents unwarranted hospitalizations by meeting patient and family needs in the home.
• Collaborates and communicates with the Medical Director, attending physician, DCS, and IDT:
  • Collaborates on patient needs for clinical and psycho-social interventions.
  • Assists in identifying the need for intervention by other IDT members.
  • Effectively communicates patient and family needs to the IDT.
  • Completes and submits required paperwork within 24 hours of visit completion.
• Educates patient and caregiver regarding:
  • Care of patient.
  • Disease process.
  • Dying process.
  • Symptom control.
  • Wound care.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

If Providing Hospice Face-to-Face Visits:

• Performs routine and emergency assessments:
  • Completes routine and emergency recertification visits on each patient entering their 3rd benefit period or beyond (including admissions and transfers).
  • Records observations, treatments, and other pertinent information.
  • Communicates with Medical Director, Attending Physician, DCS, and IDT regarding findings and measures to alleviate symptoms.
• Provides physical and emotional care to support the patient and family during periods of crisis.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

If Providing Palliative Care:

• Performs routine and urgent assessments:
  • Consistently communicates availability to manager.
  • Requires a minimum of 4 days of availability per month (minimum number of visits per month not guaranteed).
  • Ability to triage consults by patient acuity.
  • Performs bedside palliative care with patient/family education.
• Assists with diagnosis, treatment, and management of acute and chronic health conditions.
• Orders, performs, and interprets laboratory and radiology tests within the scope of professional practice.
• Prescribes medications, including controlled substances to the extent delegated and licensed.
• Orders treatments and durable medical equipment as indicated.
• Performs other therapeutic or corrective measures as indicated, including urgent care.
• Consults with palliative care physician or designees as needed, informs primary physician of services provided, and collaborates with other physicians.
• Assists in all facets of care coordination for palliative care referrals.
• Prepares and maintains accurate patient records, charts, and documents to support sound medical practice and reimbursement for services provided.
• Complies with applicable laws and regulations regarding Collaborative Agreements.
• Completes accurate billing and coding activities for all patient encounters according to CMS guidelines.
• Defines goals for professional growth and participates actively in professional activities and organizations.
• Engages in active and frequent self-care activities for personal and professional growth and longevity.
• Adheres to confidentiality regarding patients, families, staff, and the organization.
• Assists patients and families in identifying goals of treatment and ongoing plans of care at every visit, communicating these goals among the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT).
• Collaborates and communicates with Medical Director, attending physician, hospital staff, and IDT:
  • Participates in monthly IDT meetings with the market team.
  • Collaborates on patient needs for clinical and psycho-social interventions.
  • Assists in identifying the need for intervention by other IDT members.
  • Effectively communicates patient and family needs to the IDT.
  • Completes and submits required clinical documentation within 24 hours of visit completion.
• Educates patient and caregiver regarding:
  • Care of patient.
  • Disease process.
  • Goal setting.
  • Symptom control.
  • Treatment options.
  • Prognosis.
  • Advance Care Planning.
• Supervises nurse trainees, including graduate and advanced practice nurses in field placements.
• Participates in the supervision of other trainees, including medical students, residents, fellows, and social work and psychology trainees.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Nursing required.
• If providing Hospice Care: Minimum of one (1) year nursing practice or equivalent experience required; hospice, oncology, or home health and/or long-term care preferred.
• If providing Palliative Care: Minimum of five (5) years nursing experience required; clinical nursing care in oncology, hospice, geriatrics, or intensive care preferred.

Skills

• Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentage.
• Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from leaders, team members, investors, and external parties. Strong written and verbal communications.
• Other Skills and Abilities:
  • Ability to understand, read, write, and speak English.
  • Articulates and embraces hospice philosophy.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills.
  • Must be able to work a flexible schedule to include nights and weekends.
  • Must be able to travel.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality of information, such as patient and company files.

Qualifications

• Active and unencumbered CNS or Nurse Practitioner license in the state of employment required.
• Certified as a Nurse Practitioner in Adult, Family, Acute, or Geriatric required.
• Active NPI number.
• Maintain active DEA certification if the state allows prescription of controlled substances by Advanced Practice Providers (APPs).
• Board Certification in Hospice and Palliative Care is preferred but not required.
• Current collaborative physician agreement in place (all states except Iowa).

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The demands of this role necessitate a team member to effectively perform essential functions. Adaptations can be made to accommodate team members with disabilities. Regular standing, walking, and manual dexterity are fundamental, along with the ability to lift and move objects up to 50 pounds. Visual acuity requirements include close and distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. In a healthcare setting, exposure to bodily fluids, infectious diseases, and conditions typical to the field is expected. Routine use of standard medical equipment and tools associated with clinical care is essential.