Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner

Family Practice Center•Harrisburg, PA

About The Position

Family Practice Center, PC is hiring a full-time Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner for its Harrisburg office. The Nurse Practitioner provides comprehensive, patient-centered palliative care to adults with serious or life-limiting illnesses, primarily through visits to patients’ homes, including private residences and assisted or independent living communities. The role includes symptom management, support for complex decision-making, goals-of-care conversations, and coordination with primary care providers, specialists, hospice agencies, patients, and families. Telehealth follow-up visits may be conducted when clinically appropriate. This clinical and program-development role will help shape workflows, referral pathways, clinical protocols, and community partnerships as the practice expands home-based palliative care. The NP will collaborate with physician leadership and the Medical Director, contribute to quality improvement and outcome tracking, and help educate practice staff. Family Practice Center, PC is an independent, physician-owned primary care organization serving communities across the Harrisburg region. Approximately 70–80% of the role involves travel to and visits in patient homes and community residential settings. Work may involve varied home environments, including pets, smoking, and limited space; occasional flexibility for urgent patient needs; and regular exposure to serious illness and end-of-life care. The position requires the ability to lift, bend, kneel, assist with light patient positioning, and carry a mobile medical bag and equipment.

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 these before starting.
At least 2–3 years of Nurse Practitioner or advanced clinical experience with adults; experience in primary care, geriatrics, oncology, hospice, or palliative care is preferred.
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.
Excellent communication skills and ability to navigate sensitive conversations with empathy.
Ability to lift, bend, kneel, assist with light patient positioning, and carry a mobile medical bag and equipment.

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 of patients’ physical, functional, cognitive, psychosocial, and spiritual needs.
Manage pain and non-pain symptoms, including through opioid and non-opioid pharmacologic management.
Lead advance care planning and goals-of-care discussions, and document POLST forms, advance directives, and code status orders.
Provide prognostic guidance and help patients and families understand disease trajectory and treatment options.
Assess hospice eligibility and facilitate timely, compassionate hospice transitions.
Educate and provide emotional support to patients, caregivers, and families, including bereavement support.
Perform telehealth follow-up visits when clinically appropriate.
Collaborate with primary care providers, specialists, nurses, social workers, and care coordinators.
Communicate with hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, hospice providers, and community resources.
Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and care conferences.
Ensure smooth transitions of care following hospitalization or changes in condition.
Manage program schedules and assist with future program development in collaboration with leadership and the Medical Director.
Help develop clinical protocols, referral criteria, and documentation standards for the palliative program.
Build relationships with referring providers, facilities, and community organizations.
Participate in quality improvement initiatives and track program outcomes.
Provide education to practice staff on palliative care principles.
Complete timely, accurate EHR documentation, including mobile documentation during or after home visits.
Comply with billing, coding, regulatory, practice, HIPAA, and Pennsylvania requirements applicable to palliative and home-based care.

Benefits

Base salary of $120,000–$140,000, based on experience and qualifications.
Quality/productivity incentive of up to 5–10% of base salary.
Sign-on bonus or relocation assistance for discussion.
Mileage reimbursement at the IRS rate.
Provided laptop, tablet, mobile phone, and hotspot.
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 allowing time for meaningful patient and family conversations.