NP/PA Adult Palliative Care

Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant

This is a 20 hour/week position. The Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant is an advanced practice clinician who demonstrates clinical expertise and leadership skills. The Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant uses advanced skills in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of patients with diseases and adverse health conditions. The Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant manages therapeutic regimens for acute and chronic problems associated with such diseases and conditions and focuses on managing symptoms and enhancing communication in the setting of serious illness. The Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant provides anticipatory guidance, patient and family education, and psychosocial and emotional support to adult patients. Adult patients have a wide range of oncological diagnoses and require expert symptom management and communication.

In collaboration with a physician, the Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant manages therapeutic regimens for acute and chronic problems associated with such disease, treatment and/or conditions. The Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant provides anticipatory guidance, patient and family education, and psychological and emotional support. The Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant has prescriptive authority which includes schedule II through V controlled substances in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

In this role the Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant will be based at the Foxborough DFCI regional campus location providing supportive oncology. This individual will report to the regional campus nurse director, with a dotted line to the Senior Nurse Director, Palliative Care, and will collaborate closely with a psychiatrist and palliative care physician located on the DFCI Longwood Campus. The Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant will also collaborate closely with social work colleagues based out of their respective Network location.

The Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant is a member of an interprofessional care team that requires effective communication and collaboration with co-workers at the Institute in addition to collaborating institutions and agencies. The role requires critical thinking, an understanding of research principles and practices and leadership that improves the quality of care and advances nursing/medical care within the work setting and throughout the community. The Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant takes advantage of formal and informal learning opportunities to strengthen his or her knowledge base in support of the Institute's Mission, Vision and Core Values.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None.

Minimum Job Qualifications:

• Authorization to practice in an expanded role as a Nurse Practitioner in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• Current certification from a nationally recognized accrediting body approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing for Nurse Practitioners
• Minimum of 24 contact hours beyond generic education in pharmacotherapeutics
• Masters degree in Nursing
• Minimum of 1 year palliative care nursing experience or 1 year Nurse Practitioner experience
• Oncology or Palliative care Nurse Practitioner experience preferred
• In possession of Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration and Federal DEA number
• Certification in Oncology or Palliative Care Nursing preferred OCN, AOCN, CPON, ACHPN
• NCCPA certified
• Graduate of AAPA/NCCPA accredited Physician Assistant Studies Program
• License as a Physician Assistant in Massachusetts
• Maintain current DEA and Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration
• Complete 100 hours of CME according to national and state regulations during each 2 years period of employment
• Minimum of 1 year PA experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

• Demonstrated ability to work as an effective member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated critical thinking, problem solving skills and ability to make independent decisions.
• Demonstrated understanding of special needs and behaviors of age groups of the adult population served.

Patient Contact: Yes Adult patients.

Working Conditions:

Works in clinic, hospital, and office settings with possible exposure to infectious diseases through airborne transmission or contact with blood or body fluids. Work is performed in a clean and neat medical office/treatment environment. Workstations, appropriate equipment and supplies are provided for ease in performing tasks. Employees are responsible for maintaining their work area in a clean, neat, safe and orderly condition. The employee is introduced to the Hazard Communication Program, Bloodborne Pathogen Program and Emergency Procedures. Employees are responsible for wearing any Personal Protective Equipment that may be required in performing tasks that involve exposure to chemicals, blood or bodily fluids. The employee must be able to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position without posing a direct threat to his or her health and safety, or the health and safety of other individuals in the workplace.

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans With Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case-by-case basis.

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.