Palliative Nurse Practitioner

VitalCaring Group•Ridgeland, MS

7h•Onsite

About The Position

The Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner provides comprehensive, evidence-based medical care to people with serious, chronic, or life-limiting illnesses in their homes. This autonomous, field-based role focuses on symptom management, chronic disease support, advance care planning, and coordination with patients’ existing healthcare providers so care reflects their goals, preferences, and quality-of-life priorities. The NP serves as a trusted clinical resource for patients, caregivers, and healthcare partners while working independently and collaborating with physicians and interdisciplinary teams. The position involves in-home clinical assessments, individualized care planning, symptom evaluation and treatment, medication prescribing and diagnostic orders within the NP’s scope of practice, and monitoring patient progress. The NP coordinates referrals and care with medical and community partners, educates and supports patients and families through complex healthcare decisions, and maintains accurate electronic medical records. The role also includes occasional on-call responsibilities, participation in case conferences and quality improvement initiatives, and compliance with clinical, regulatory, and organizational requirements.

Requirements

Master's or doctoral degree from an accredited Nurse Practitioner program.
Current Nurse Practitioner license in the state of practice.
National certification through AANP or ANCC.
Current BLS certification.
Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for home visits.
Strong clinical assessment, critical thinking, and communication skills.
Ability to work independently while managing a mobile patient caseload.

Nice To Haves

Experience in palliative care, hospice, geriatrics, internal medicine, family practice, or chronic disease management.
Certification in Hospice and Palliative Care (ACHPN), or willingness to pursue certification.
Experience conducting advance care planning and goals-of-care discussions.
Proficiency with electronic medical records and mobile documentation platforms.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive in-home physical, psychosocial, and functional assessments.
Develop, implement, and adjust individualized care plans focused on symptom management and quality of life.
Evaluate and manage pain, shortness of breath, nausea, anxiety, fatigue, and other complex symptoms.
Prescribe medications, order diagnostic testing, and provide clinical interventions within the scope of practice.
Monitor patient progress and adjust treatment plans in collaboration with physicians and interdisciplinary partners.
Participate in occasional on-call responsibilities as needed.
Collaborate with physicians, specialists, home health, hospice, social workers, and other community partners.
Facilitate referrals to hospice, home health, behavioral health, and community resources when appropriate.
Coordinate care that supports patient goals and helps reduce unnecessary emergency department visits and hospitalizations.
Communicate proactively with patients, caregivers, and referring providers to ensure continuity of care.
Lead conversations about advance care planning, goals of care, and advance directives.
Educate patients and families about disease progression, treatment options, symptom management, and available resources.
Provide compassionate guidance and emotional support during complex healthcare decisions.
Maintain accurate, timely documentation in the electronic medical record.
Ensure compliance with clinical guidelines, regulatory requirements, collaborative practice agreements, and organizational policies.
Participate in case conferences, quality improvement initiatives, and interdisciplinary team meetings.