Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant - Palliative Medicine
About The Position
The Palliative Medicine Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant provides advanced clinical care to patients with serious illness across inpatient and outpatient settings. The role focuses on managing complex symptoms, supporting patient and family goals of care, and improving the overall healthcare experience. The clinician works with physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other healthcare professionals to deliver comprehensive, patient-centered palliative care. The position is full-time, Monday through Friday during normal business hours, with approximately 80% inpatient consult service and 20% outpatient clinic work. There are no nights, weekends, or call requirements. The role also includes care coordination, patient advocacy, education, quality improvement, and collaboration with hospital and clinic teams. The clinician supports evidence-based practice and patient safety, participates in professional development and competency maintenance, and may mentor or precept students, advanced practice providers, and clinical staff when appropriate.
Requirements
- Master’s degree from an accredited Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant program.
- For Nurse Practitioner candidates: current Louisiana Registered Nurse (RN) license.
- For Nurse Practitioner candidates: current Louisiana Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) license.
- For Nurse Practitioner candidates: national Nurse Practitioner certification.
- For Physician Assistant candidates: current Louisiana Physician Assistant license.
- For Physician Assistant candidates: national PA certification.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association.
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification through the American Heart Association.
- Previous Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant clinical experience is preferred.
Nice To Haves
- Three or more years of palliative care experience.
- Experience in hospice, oncology, internal medicine, geriatrics, critical care, hospital medicine, or chronic disease management.
- Experience working with medically complex patient populations.
Responsibilities
- Conduct comprehensive assessments of patients with acute, chronic, and complex medical conditions.
- Evaluate patients’ physical, emotional, psychosocial, and symptom-management needs.
- Diagnose, treat, and manage health conditions within scope of practice and approved clinical privileges.
- Perform therapeutic interventions and clinical procedures as appropriate.
- Collaborate with physicians and interdisciplinary team members to develop individualized treatment plans.
- Monitor patient progress and modify care plans based on clinical response and changing needs.
- Promote symptom management, comfort, quality of life, and patient-centered goals of care.
- Facilitate transitions across inpatient units, outpatient clinics, and community resources.
- Educate and guide patients and families about diagnoses, treatment options, symptom management, and care planning.
- Help patients and families navigate complex healthcare decisions and advocate for their preferences, values, and goals.
- Serve as a clinical resource for nursing staff, providers, patients, families, and interdisciplinary team members.
- Participate in patient, family, and staff education initiatives.
- Collaborate with hospital and clinic teams to promote high-quality palliative care practices.
- Support quality improvement, patient safety, and evidence-based practice initiatives.
- Participate in professional development, continuing education, and competency maintenance.
- Mentor and precept students, advanced practice providers, and clinical staff when appropriate.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
