Nurse Practitioner - Hospice

Compassus•Portland, OR

9d•$117,632 - $199,976

About The Position

The Nurse Practitioner provides hospice and, where applicable, palliative care to patients with chronic, complex, or life-threatening conditions in their homes and other care settings. The role includes clinical assessments, recertification and emergency visits, education, symptom management, care coordination, and support for patients and families. In hospice care, the Nurse Practitioner works as an extension of the medical director and hospice physician for the interdisciplinary team, helping patients and families maintain comfort and cope with illness and end of life. The position may include on-call support and after-hours emergency visits or admissions. For palliative care services, the Nurse Practitioner assesses and manages acute and chronic conditions, orders and interprets tests, prescribes medications within delegated authority and licensure, orders treatments and durable medical equipment, and coordinates care with physicians and the interdisciplinary team. The role also includes maintaining clinical records and billing documentation, educating patients and caregivers, supporting goal setting and advance care planning, contributing to clinical standards, and providing education and supervision to trainees. 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. At least three years of nursing practice or experience is required. The role involves travel, a flexible schedule that may include nights and weekends, and physical activity such as standing, walking, and lifting or moving objects up to 50 pounds. Work may involve exposure to bodily fluids, infectious diseases, and other conditions typical of a healthcare setting.

Requirements

Master's degree in Nursing.
At least three years of nursing practice or equivalent experience if providing hospice care.
At least three years of nursing experience if providing palliative care.
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.
Current collaborative physician agreement in all states except Iowa.
Ability to work a flexible schedule that may include nights and weekends.
Ability to travel.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of patient and company information.
Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to read, analyze, interpret, and present professional and technical information.
Mathematical ability to perform basic arithmetic and calculate rates, ratios, and percentages.
Ability to understand, read, write, and speak English.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.
Ability to articulate and embrace an integrated healthcare-at-home philosophy and hospice philosophy.
Ability to perform essential physical functions, including regular standing, walking, manual dexterity, and lifting or moving objects up to 50 pounds.
Ability to meet the visual acuity requirements of the role, including close and distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and focus adjustment.

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

Perform routine and emergency hospice assessments and recertification visits, including visits for patients entering their third benefit period or beyond and applicable admissions and transfers.
Record observations, treatments, and other pertinent patient information.
Communicate assessment findings and symptom-management measures to the Medical Director, attending physician, DCS, and interdisciplinary team as directed.
Provide physical and emotional care to patients and families during periods of crisis.
Act as the attending practitioner for patients who select the Nurse Practitioner at admission, coordinating symptom management and care with the patient, family, interdisciplinary team, and physician.
Participate in the on-call schedule when required, with physician backup for admission certification.
Help prevent unwarranted hospitalizations by addressing patient and family needs in the home.
For palliative care, perform routine, urgent, and emergency assessments, including bedside evaluations in the patient's place of residence.
Assist with diagnosis, treatment, and management of acute and chronic health conditions.
Order, perform, and interpret laboratory and radiology tests within the scope of professional practice.
Prescribe medications, including controlled substances, to the extent delegated and licensed, subject to applicable state restrictions.
Order treatments and durable medical equipment and perform other indicated therapeutic or corrective measures, including urgent care where applicable.
Consult with palliative care physicians or designees, inform primary physicians about services provided, and collaborate with other physicians.
Coordinate palliative care referrals and support care coordination across services.
Prepare and maintain accurate patient records, charts, and clinical documents to support sound medical practice and reimbursement.
Comply with applicable laws and regulations concerning Collaborative Agreements.
Initiate reimbursement for services rendered and complete accurate billing and coding for patient encounters according to CMS guidelines where applicable.
Assist patients and families with goals of treatment, treatment options, ongoing care plans, and advance care planning; communicate goals to the interdisciplinary team.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team regarding clinical and psychosocial needs and help identify when other team members should intervene.
Submit required paperwork and clinical documentation within 24 hours of visit completion.
Educate patients and caregivers about patient care, disease processes, dying, symptom control, wound care, goal setting, treatment options, prognosis, and advance care planning, as applicable.
Participate in monthly interdisciplinary team meetings with the market team when providing palliative care.
Provide training and continuing education for staff and assist in developing clinical practice guidelines and standards for quality palliative care.
Supervise nurse trainees, including graduate and advanced practice nurses in field placements, and participate in supervision of other trainees, including medical students, residents, fellows, and social work and psychology trainees.
Define goals for professional growth, participate in professional activities and organizations, and engage in self-care activities for personal and professional growth.
Maintain confidentiality regarding patients, families, staff, and the organization.
Perform other duties as assigned.