Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner

Family Practice Center•Lower Paxton Township, PA

3d•$120,000 - $140,000

About The Position

Family Practice Center, PC is seeking a full-time Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner to provide comprehensive, patient-centered palliative care to adults with serious or life-limiting illnesses. The role is based at the Harrisburg office and involves traveling to patients’ homes, including private residences and assisted or independent living communities. The NP manages symptoms, supports complex decision-making, facilitates goals-of-care conversations, and coordinates care with primary care providers, specialists, hospice agencies, patients, and families. Telehealth follow-up visits may be conducted when clinically appropriate. This is both a clinical and program-development role. The Nurse Practitioner will help manage program schedules and, in collaboration with leadership and the Medical Director, help develop workflows, referral pathways, clinical protocols, documentation standards, and community partnerships as the program grows. The position also involves interdisciplinary collaboration, staff education, quality improvement, and tracking program outcomes. Family Practice Center, PC is an independent, physician-owned primary care organization serving communities across the Harrisburg region. The practice describes its environment as offering clinician autonomy, close collaboration with physician leadership, mentorship, and shared decision-making. The position includes travel throughout the Harrisburg region and surrounding counties, with approximately 70–80% of time spent traveling to and conducting visits in patient homes and community residential settings.

Requirements

Master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited Nurse Practitioner program.
Active, unrestricted Pennsylvania RN license and CRNP licensure.
National Nurse Practitioner certification (AGPCNP, FNP, AGACNP, or equivalent).
Current DEA registration and Pennsylvania controlled-substance prescriptive authority, or ability to obtain them before starting.
Minimum 2–3 years of NP or advanced clinical experience with adults; the posting identifies primary care, geriatrics, oncology, hospice, or palliative care as preferred areas.
Comfort with autonomous decision-making and independent in-home practice.
Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, and current auto insurance.
Ability to travel throughout the Harrisburg region and surrounding counties, including Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry, Lebanon, and York.
Excellent communication skills and ability to navigate sensitive conversations with empathy.
Ability to lift, bend, kneel, assist with light patient positioning as needed, and carry a mobile medical bag and equipment.
Emotional resilience in work that regularly involves serious illness and end-of-life care.

Nice To Haves

Palliative care certification (ACHPN), or willingness to obtain it within 12–24 months.
Experience with home-based primary care, house calls, or hospice.
Training in serious illness communication.
Familiarity with Medicare and Medicare Advantage billing for palliative and home-based services.
Experience building or launching new clinical programs.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive in-home palliative assessments addressing physical, functional, cognitive, psychosocial, and spiritual needs.
Manage pain and non-pain symptoms through pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches, including opioid and non-opioid medication management.
Lead advance care planning and goals-of-care discussions, and complete documentation such as POLST forms, advance directives, and code status orders.
Provide prognostic guidance and help patients and families understand disease trajectories and treatment options.
Assess hospice eligibility and facilitate timely, compassionate transitions to hospice.
Provide education and emotional support to patients, caregivers, and families, including bereavement support.
Conduct telehealth follow-up visits when clinically appropriate.
Collaborate with primary care providers, specialists, nurses, social workers, and care coordinators within the practice.
Coordinate and communicate with hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, hospice providers, and community resources.
Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and care conferences.
Support smooth transitions of care after hospitalization or changes in condition.
Manage program schedules and assist with program development in collaboration with leadership and the Medical Director.
Help develop clinical protocols, referral criteria, and documentation standards for the palliative care program.
Build relationships with referring providers, facilities, and community organizations.
Participate in quality improvement initiatives and track program outcomes.
Educate practice staff on palliative care principles.
Complete timely and accurate EHR documentation, including mobile documentation during or after home visits.
Comply with applicable billing, coding, and regulatory requirements for palliative and home-based care, including E/M, advance care planning, and prolonged service codes as applicable.
Adhere to practice policies, HIPAA, and Pennsylvania regulations.
Travel to patient homes and community residential settings throughout the Harrisburg region and surrounding counties.
Be occasionally flexible to address urgent patient needs.

Benefits

Base salary of $120,000–$140,000, based on experience and qualifications.
Quality/productivity incentive, with an example of up to 5–10% of base salary.
Sign-on bonus or relocation assistance available for discussion.
Mileage reimbursement at the IRS rate.
Laptop, tablet, mobile phone, and hotspot provided.
Health, dental, and vision insurance.
401(k) with employer match.
Paid time off and holidays, including three weeks of vacation and one week of CME.
CME allowance and paid time for conferences, with support for ACHPN exam and preparation costs.
Malpractice insurance with tail coverage.
Physician collaboration agreement and clinical support, with mentorship and shared decision-making.
Reasonable visit volume that allows time for meaningful patient and family conversations.
Opportunity to shape a new program within a stable, locally owned practice.