Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner

Compassus•San Antonio, TX

15d

About The Position

The Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner provides palliative care for patients with chronic, complex, and/or life-threatening conditions at different points in the flow of patient care. The role includes patient assessments, disease and treatment education, and symptom management to support patients and families in maintaining comfort and coping. The Nurse Practitioner works in collaboration with primary care providers, specialists, the assigned Compassus Medical Director, and the interdisciplinary team, while following applicable practice standards, codes, and regulations. The position models Compassus values and philosophy, upholds its Code of Ethical Conduct, and promotes positive working relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders. It requires routine and urgent assessments, a minimum of 100 visits per month (adjusted for PTO and part-time status), and a patient census of at least 80, subject to market needs. The schedule is generally Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time, with flexibility to meet agency needs and potential after-hours and weekend on-call duties. Regular regional travel, including driving within a 60-mile radius, is required. The position requires a master’s degree in nursing, at least five years of nursing experience, an active and unencumbered CNS or Nurse Practitioner license in the state of employment, and certification as an Adult, Family, Acute, or Geriatric Nurse Practitioner. An active NPI number is required, as is active DEA certification where state rules allow APPs to prescribe controlled substances. A collaborative physician agreement is required in all states except Iowa. Hospice and palliative care board certification is preferred but not required. The role involves regular standing and walking, manual dexterity, and the ability to lift and move objects up to 50 pounds. It also involves exposure to bodily fluids, infectious diseases, and other conditions typical of a healthcare setting, as well as routine use of standard clinical medical equipment. Adaptations may be made to accommodate team members with disabilities.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Nursing.
At least five years of nursing experience.
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 state law allows APPs to prescribe controlled substances.
Current collaborative physician agreement in all states except Iowa.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends, and to travel.
Ability to understand, read, write, and speak English.
Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to read and interpret business and professional materials, regulations, and technical procedures, prepare reports and correspondence, and present information effectively.
Mathematical ability to perform calculations using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals, including rates, ratios, and percentages.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of patient and company information.
Ability to articulate and embrace hospice philosophy.

Nice To Haves

Clinical nursing care experience in oncology, hospice, geriatrics, or intensive care.
Board Certification in Hospice and Palliative Care.

Responsibilities

Perform routine and urgent assessments, triage consults according to patient acuity, and provide bedside palliative care and patient/family education.
Meet the minimum monthly visit and patient census expectations, adjusted as applicable for PTO, part-time status, and market needs.
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; order treatments and durable medical equipment; and provide other indicated therapeutic measures.
Consult with the palliative care physician or designees, inform primary physicians about services provided, and collaborate with other physicians as needed.
Assist with all aspects of care coordination for palliative care referrals.
Prepare and maintain accurate patient records, charts, and documents to support sound medical practice and reimbursement.
Comply with applicable laws and regulations concerning collaborative agreements.
Complete accurate billing and coding for patient encounters in accordance with CMS guidelines.
Provide staff training, ongoing education, and onboarding support.
Set professional growth goals and participate actively in professional activities and organizations.
Engage in self-care activities that support personal and professional growth and longevity.
Maintain confidentiality regarding patients, families, staff, and the organization.
Help patients and families identify treatment goals and ongoing plans of care at every visit, and communicate those goals to the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT).
Collaborate and communicate with the Medical Director, attending physician, hospital staff, and IDT; participate in monthly IDT meetings; and communicate patient needs for clinical and psychosocial interventions.
Help identify when intervention from other IDT members is needed and communicate patient and family needs effectively to the IDT.
Complete and submit required clinical documentation within 24 hours of each visit.
Educate patients and caregivers about patient care, disease processes, goal setting, symptom control, treatment options, prognosis, and advance care planning.
Supervise nurse trainees, including graduate and advanced practice nurses in field placements.
Participate in supervising other trainees, including medical students, residents, fellows, and social work and psychology trainees.
Travel regularly within the region, including driving within a 60-mile radius.
Perform other duties as assigned.