Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner

Description

The Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner is a member of the hospice and palliative care medical team and works in collaboration with the physicians. The Nurse Practitioner actively delivers care to palliative care patients in a variety of settings. The Nurse Practitioner assists in the training of other members of the hospice and palliative care teams as well as other medical professionals. The Nurse Practitioner may also conduct Face to Face encounters with hospice patients on or before their 180-day recertification and for each subsequent 60-day recertification.

• Initiates palliative care consultations or appropriate hospice treatment plans for patients in all settings. This may include history, physical examination, interpretation of health data, prescribing medications in accordance with state law, ordering routine and diagnostic studies and collaborating with the physician as appropriate
• Consults with medical colleagues as needed, communicates about patient care provided and provides written reports as requested
• Encourages positive health behaviors for the maintenance of health and the prevention of disease through education and counseling; provides wellness visits as necessary
• Provides patient with health education, counseling and referrals to other healthcare professionals and community resources when appropriate
• Provides follow-up care, determines effectiveness of the treatment plan, reassesses and changes the plan as needed
• Prepares and maintains accurate patient records, charts and documents to support sound medical practice and reimbursement for services provided
• Assists patients and families in determining goals of medical care
• Gathers data to support hospice eligibility including face-to-face recertification
• Participates on interdisciplinary team as needed
• Provides training and continuing education for staff
• Assists in the development of clinical policies and procedures, as needed
• Meets department productivity standards for patient visits
• Participates in community and agency functions that foster the mission of hospice and palliative care (public speaking, professional organizations, fund raising, etc.)
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Current unrestricted license to practice as a registered professional nurse in the state of employment
• Graduate of an approved Nurse Practitioner program
• Current unrestricted license to practice as a Nurse Practitioner by the Board of Nursing in the state of employment
• Current and continued CPR certification
• Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse (CHPN) preferred
• Minimum of 3 years of palliative care and/or hospice experience required
• Excellent observation, verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and use critical thinking skills
• Ability to manage emotional stresses effectively
• Valid driver’s license; reliable, insured, automobile for work travel
• Ability to bend, lift and stoop; ability to lift 25 pounds