Nurse Practitioner - Hospice/Palliative Provider

Veterans Health Administration • Tomah, WI

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Hospice/Palliative Certified Nurse Practitioner (NP) practices in Specialty Care/Geriatrics and Extended Care and provides a full range of services emphasizing quality, timeliness, and the advancement of the Veterans Affairs (VA) mission. The NP in this role provides advanced clinical practice, consultation, and management to Veterans on the Community Living Center (CLC) neighborhood, and provides hospice and palliative care consultation to inpatients and outpatients. This is a multidisciplinary announcement. This position may be filled by either a Physician or a Nurse Practitioner. The Hospice/Palliative Certified Nurse Practitioner (NP) will provide inpatient and outpatient palliative care consultation and work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team to improve symptom management, clarify patient and family goals of care, support informed health care decision-making, and improve access to appropriate palliative, hospice, and supportive care services. The provider in this role will also support outpatient geriatric services and other Geriatrics and Extended Care programs depending on patient-care needs, workload, expertise, and organizational priorities. The NP will practice to the full extent of their education, training, and certification. Core functions are outlined in the clinical privileges that correspond with this position. The NP has prescriptive authority for a panel of patients or program, as indicated by their position.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents ).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• A post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner.
• Must be a graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing ( ACEN ) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education ( CCNE ).
• Foreign Education. Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing programs, the nurse practitioner degree equivalency must be validated through an Agency recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency, such as the International Consultants of Delaware ( ICD ).
• Candidates with equivalent nurse practitioner masters or doctorate level degrees who possess current, full, active, and unrestricted registration and certification will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment.
• All APN (NPs) must possess and maintain an active, current, full, and unrestricted APN license to practice as an NP in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
• All APN (NPs) must maintain full and current basic board certification in one of the following: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP), Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP), Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), or Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (GNP) from one of the following: the American Nurses Credentialing Center ( ANCC ), American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board ( AANPCB ), or other nationally recognized certifying body in the area in which the Nurse Practitioner is academically prepared.
• Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and an APN (NP) assignment that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification.
• Meets basic education requirement for APN (NP).
• Delivers evidence-based health care, demonstrating proficiency in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program.
• Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to evaluate the patient care delivery system within a patient panel or program, presents findings and contributes to changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of veteran/patient care.
• Works effectively as a leader within a team/unit/group and seeks interdisciplinary collaboration as appropriate to enhance patient care.
• Acquires knowledge and skills to develop expertise in area of practice.
• Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork.
• Participates in interdisciplinary teams and processes that positively impact patient outcomes.
• Meets basic education requirement for an APN (NP).
• One year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level.
• Influences and models the delivery of evidence-based health care, demonstrating expertise in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program.
• Leads and implements changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of Veteran/patient care applying research and evidence in the delivery of healthcare for patient populations.
• Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams informed by structured approaches and processes to improve outcomes that positively impact care for a patient panel, population, or program.
• Acquires knowledge and skills, then disseminates acquired information within and/or outside the medical facility.
• Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams developing systems that positively impact outcomes at the panel, population, or program level.
• Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork.

Nice To Haves

• Current certification in Hospice/Palliative Care is highly preferred.
• Experience as an NP in Hospice/Palliative Care is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Independently manages a panel of patients with acute and chronic health conditions with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention using evidence-based practice.
• Develops and implements an individualized plan to achieve optimal population health and disease management.
• Demonstrates leadership and functions as an active member of the interdisciplinary team serving Veterans with serious, advanced, chronic, and life-limiting illnesses.
• Orders and interprets labs, tests, and diagnostic studies.
• Prescribes pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions.
• Initiates referrals and consults to specialty services.
• Provides education to patients and their families.
• Assesses and adjusts the plan of care as needed to achieve optimal patient outcomes.
• Exemplifies the ICARE core values of-Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence.
• This position requires certification as an Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse within 1 year of starting the position.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards
• 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
• 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for a highly qualified candidate.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level