Hospice Nurse Practitioner

Well Care Health•Greensboro, NC

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Hospice Nurse Practitioner (NP) is responsible for providing advanced clinical assessment, symptom management, and palliative care services to hospice patients in collaboration with the Hospice Medical Director, attending physicians, and interdisciplinary group (IDG). The NP serves as a clinical resource to staff, patients, and families; conducts face-to-face encounters required for hospice eligibility determinations and recertifications; participates actively in interdisciplinary care planning; provides hospice education and mentoring to clinical staff; and participates in after-hours and weekend on-call coverage as assigned. The Hospice Nurse Practitioner promotes quality end-of-life care through effective symptom management, timely clinical interventions, collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, and adherence to hospice regulations and organizational standards. This role supports continuity of care and ensures patients receive individualized, compassionate care consistent with hospice philosophy.

Requirements

Graduate of NLN accredited school of nursing and current license to practice professional nursing as a Registered nurse in the state
Current Registered Nurse license in NC
Active and legal driver’s license with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state or organization
Current American Heart Association CPR certification
Minimum of one years’ clinical experience required
Working knowledge of Word, E-mail, typing of 30 wpm, basic technical or medical knowledge of home health billing requirements.
Advanced customer service skills to respond with simple answers, etc.
Ability to work independently as well as effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
Intermittent physical activity including walking, standing, sitting, lifting, and supporting patients
Ability to concentrate with large volumes of paperwork and data entry, handle pressure of deadlines, good judgment, ability to organize and prioritize workload independently.
Emotional/mental stability and stamina
Keen observation skills.
May be exposed to virus, disease and infection from patients and specimens in working environment.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree preferred
Hospice experience preferred

Responsibilities

Provide advanced assessment, evaluation, and management of patient symptoms related to terminal illness, including pain, dyspnea, agitation, nausea, anxiety, wounds, and other end-of-life symptoms.
Conduct hospice eligibility and recertification Face-to-Face (F2F) encounters in accordance with Medicare Conditions of Participation and organizational policies.
Collaborate with the Hospice Medical Director and attending physicians regarding eligibility determinations, symptom management recommendations, medication adjustments, and changes in patient condition.
Participate in the development, review, and revision of individualized plans of care in collaboration with the interdisciplinary group, patient, and family.
Attend and actively participate in interdisciplinary group (IDG) meetings, providing clinical recommendations and support related to patient care needs, hospice eligibility, symptom burden, and disease progression.
Order, prescribe, and adjust treatments, medications, and interventions within the scope of licensure and collaborative practice agreements.
Provide patient and family education regarding disease progression, symptom management, medication administration, goals of care, and hospice services.
Serve as an educational resource for clinical staff by providing mentoring, training, competency support, and evidence-based hospice and palliative care education.
Assist with clinical case reviews, documentation audits, quality improvement initiatives, and regulatory readiness activities as requested.
Provide after-hours, weekend, and holiday on-call coverage as assigned, including telephonic consultation and in-person patient visits as clinically indicated.
Support transitions between levels of hospice care, including routine home care, continuous care, respite care, and general inpatient care.
Maintain accurate, timely, and complete clinical documentation in accordance with Medicare regulations, state requirements, and organizational policies.
Demonstrate positive interpersonal relations and effective communication with patients, families, physicians, referral sources, and all members of the interdisciplinary team.
Effectively assesses, evaluates, manages patient symptoms and clinical needs, ensures accurate and timely eligibility.
Assessing the patients’ and family/caregivers’ physical, psychosocial, bereavement, environmental, safety, and developmental needs.
Provide support, instruction, and education of the patient, family and other caregivers who participate in the care of the patient in relation to needs identified on the plan of care, including, but not limited to: disease process and progression, medications, pain, symptoms associated with disease, oxygen safety, hospice philosophy, and care of the terminally ill.
Effectively and efficiently assists in the care of hospice patients and assists in the coordination of care with the interdisciplinary team.
Performs ongoing assessment of the patient based on the Plan of Care and communicates findings to the Hospice Physician and other interdisciplinary team members as appropriate.
Performs and reports on assessment findings of the patient’s pain and other undesirable symptoms to the Hospice Physician in a timely manner.
Maintains an accurate and updated medical record, including all coordination of care notes, on-going assessments, communications with others involved in patient care, and any other information pertinent to the care of the patient.
Ensures that arrangements for equipment and other necessary items and services are available.
Reports abuse and neglect in accordance with state laws and regulations as well as organization policy and procedure.
Documents assessments, identified problems, measurable goals of care, and limitations to provision of care, care interventions, and response to care in the electronic medical record.
Documents all patient related visits and phone calls within the EMR and ensures documentation is completed and synchronized after visit completion.
Completes, maintains, and submits accurate and relevant notes regarding patient’s condition and care given.
Records pain/symptom management changes/outcomes as appropriate.
Documents and signs all orders received within the EMR.
Consults and collaborates with the hospice interdisciplinary team and others involved in the patient’s care.
Maintains close contact with the patient’s family/caregiver to provide information, support, and continuity of care.
Maintains collaborative relationships with long-term care facility personnel to support patient care and ensure quality symptom management.
Provides medication review and reconciliation of medication list within the EMR.
Ensures medications necessary to ensure patient comfort are available.
Maintains a high level of knowledge pertaining to the management of pain and symptoms in the dying process.
Assumes responsibility for personal growth and development and maintain and upgrade professional knowledge and practice skills through attendance and participation in continuing education and in-service classes and completion of required annual training.
Actively participates in quality assessment, performance improvement teams and activities.
Schedules self to reduce driving time and mileage and utilizing resources to prevent duplicate driving or trips by determining if others are in the area.
Orders only supplies that are needed and is conscientious of minimizing on-hand inventory.
Ensures provision of medical supplies is limited to only what is needed in the home.
Assesses and cleans medical supply care boxes, bags, and electronic devices every month, maintaining appropriate documentation
Practices personal cost containment by responsible use of equipment, supplies, and resources.
Reports to work on time and returning promptly from errands, breaks, and meals.
Manages personal work schedule and time off to promote smooth agency operations.
Assists other team members to ensure completion of all work assignments.
Demonstrates flexibility with changing workload/assignments.
Does not exceed accrued PTO or qualified leave of absence(s).
Responds to all customers in a courteous, sensitive, and respectful manner.
Demonstrates respect for team members.
Manages stress and personal feelings without a negative impact on the team
Works collaboratively and cooperates with other departments.
Completes the review period without any formal disciplinary action.
Presents a clean and neat appearance in personal attire and one’s work area.