Nurse Practitioner - PPV/PRN

Compassus•Des Moines, IA

About The Position

The Nurse Practitioner - PPV/PRN models Compassus values and philosophy, upholds the Code of Ethical Conduct, and fosters positive working relationships across the company and with external stakeholders. Depending on the care program, the Nurse Practitioner provides hospice or palliative care, collaborating with physicians and the interdisciplinary team to support patients and families with complex, chronic, or life-threatening conditions. Care includes assessments, education, symptom management, care coordination, and support for comfort and coping. The role requires schedule flexibility to meet agency needs and may include after-hours hospice emergency visits or admissions. For hospice care, the Nurse Practitioner provides routine and emergency assessments, including recertification visits for patients entering their third benefit period or later. The role communicates findings and symptom-management measures to relevant clinicians and team members, supports patients and families during crises, and works to meet needs in the home to help prevent unwarranted hospitalizations. For palliative care, the Nurse Practitioner performs routine, urgent, and bedside assessments; supports diagnosis and management of acute and chronic conditions; orders and interprets tests and treatments within professional scope; prescribes medications within delegated authority and licensure; and coordinates referrals and care. The role maintains accurate clinical records and billing, supports treatment goal-setting and advance care planning, collaborates with the interdisciplinary team, educates patients and caregivers, and may train or supervise trainees. At least four days of availability per month is required for palliative care PPV work, but a minimum number of monthly visits is not guaranteed. The position requires a master’s degree in nursing, an active and unencumbered CNS or Nurse Practitioner license in the state of employment, certification as an Adult, Family, Acute, or Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, and an active NPI number. A DEA certification must be maintained if state law allows APPs to prescribe controlled substances. A current collaborative physician agreement is required in all states except Iowa. The work involves travel, a flexible schedule that may include nights and weekends, and the physical and environmental demands of a healthcare setting.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Nursing.
Active and unencumbered CNS or Nurse Practitioner license in the state of employment.
Certification as a Nurse Practitioner in Adult, Family, Acute, or Geriatric practice.
Active NPI number.
Maintain active DEA certification if the state allows APPs to prescribe controlled substances.
Minimum of one year of nursing practice or equivalent experience for hospice care.
Minimum of five years of nursing experience for palliative care.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends.
Ability to travel.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to read, interpret, and write professional and technical materials.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Ability to understand, read, write, and speak English.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of patient and company information.
Current collaborative physician agreement in all states except Iowa.
Ability to perform mathematical calculations involving whole numbers, fractions, decimals, rates, ratios, and percentages.

Nice To Haves

Hospice, oncology, home health, and/or long-term care experience for hospice care.
Clinical nursing care experience in oncology, hospice, geriatrics, or intensive care for palliative care.
Board Certification in Hospice and Palliative Care.

Responsibilities

Model Compassus values and philosophy, uphold the Code of Ethical Conduct, and promote positive working relationships.
Provide hospice or palliative care assessments, education, symptom management, and support for patients and families.
Complete routine and emergency hospice recertification visits for patients entering their third benefit period or later, including admissions and transfers.
Record observations, treatments, and other pertinent information, and communicate findings with the Medical Director, attending physician, DCS, and interdisciplinary team as directed.
Provide physical and emotional support to patients and families during periods of crisis and help meet needs in the home.
Perform palliative care assessments, bedside evaluations, and patient and family education.
Assist with diagnosis, treatment, and management of acute and chronic health conditions.
Order, perform, and interpret laboratory and radiology tests within professional scope; prescribe medications within delegated authority and licensure; and order treatments and durable medical equipment as indicated.
Consult with palliative care physicians or designees, inform primary physicians about services, and collaborate with other physicians.
Coordinate palliative care referrals and identify clinical and psychosocial needs requiring interdisciplinary team intervention.
Maintain accurate patient records, charts, and clinical documentation, submitting required documentation within 24 hours of visit completion where specified.
Complete accurate billing and coding activities for patient encounters according to CMS guidelines and initiate reimbursement for services rendered.
Assist patients and families with treatment goals, care plans, treatment options, and advance care planning, and communicate goals to the interdisciplinary team.
Educate patients and caregivers about patient care, disease processes, the dying process, symptom control, wound care, prognosis, and treatment options, as applicable.
Participate in monthly interdisciplinary team meetings with the market team for palliative care.
Provide training and continuing education for staff and supervise nurse trainees and, as applicable, other trainees.
Assist in developing clinical practice guidelines and standards supporting quality palliative care.
Maintain confidentiality regarding patients, families, staff, and the organization.
Define goals for professional growth, participate in professional activities and organizations, and engage in self-care activities.
Flex schedule to meet agency needs; for palliative care, communicate availability to the manager and be available at least four days per month.
Perform other duties as assigned.