Nurse Practitioner for Hospice Services

Hospice Nurse Practitioner

Join us at Affinis Hospice – a place where you'll be valued, recognized and rewarded for the vital work you do each day. We'll surround you with a strong team and leadership that supports every aspect of your life – both inside and outside of our centers. And you'll get to practice your passion in a non-profit, mission-driven organization that's known for the highest level of care in our communities.

Responsible for working autonomously but in collaboration with physicians to deliver medical care to hospice patients.

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Provides advanced practice nursing services by managing acute and chronic conditions.
• Develops treatment plans for patients at home and possible other resident settings.
• Performs on-site services for assessment in residential settings as needed.
• Maintains regular communication with the Patient Care Manager to review caseload.
• Maintains regular communication with the attending physician concerning patient/family caseload.
• Obtains data on physical, psychological, social and spiritual factors that may influence patient/family health status and incorporates that data into the plan of care.
• Works closely with health care agencies to coordinate medical care.
• Provides Hospice nursing care based on systematic assessment focusing on pain control and symptom management.
• Teaches, supervises and counsels patients/families regarding physical care and other problems related to the patient's terminal condition.
• Provides guidance to patients/families to assist them in preparing for and coping with anticipated physical and psychological events throughout the dying process.
• Accurately documents observations, interventions and evaluations pertaining to patient care management and services provided in accordance with Hospice policy and procedures on the day services are rendered. Submits documentation in a timely manner.
• Participates in IDG conference and facilitates discussion of issues from caseload for full staff discussion, consultation and evaluation.
• Informs the Director of Hospice of unusual or potentially problematic patient/family issues.
• Assumes role of associate nurse when responding to patients/families of other primary nurses during on-call time, or when requested by the Director of Hospice to fill patient/family needs during the absence of another Primary Care Nurse.
• Participates in Hospice's orientation and in-service training programs for staff.
• Participates in Hospice and community programs as requested to promote professional growth and understanding of Hospice care.
• Demonstrates familiarity with policies of the Hospice and rules and regulations of the State and Federal bodies which govern the provision of hospice care.
• Supports and implements Hospice policies regarding patient/family care.
• Complies with the Corporate Compliance program.
• Complies with the organization's Privacy & Security procedures.
• Promotes the image and reputation of the System by exhibiting servant leadership and providing direct and open lines of communication.
• Contributes to the work of committees, workgroups, project management, and other collaborative efforts of the System.
• Performs other duties as necessary to ensure the success of the System.

Skills and abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to assess and respond to the needs of patients and families in varied settings and to cope with emotional stress.
• Must be able to function in a practice environment with minimal direct supervision, accepting personal responsibility for maintaining a professional relationship with patients and their families.
• Must accept responsibility for maintaining clinical practice skills, learning and adhering to Hospice's policies and procedures on an on-going basis.
• Extensive knowledge of healthcare and long-term care organizations and their structure.
• Ability to effectively communicate and present information in a clear and concise manner, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, department heads, administrators, member organization presidents and their leadership teams, and the general public.

Minimum qualifications:

• Graduate of Masters or Doctoral Nurse Practitioner Program that meets the standards of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
• Previous experience and education in palliative care preferred.
• Ability to meet Hospice's conditions of employment regarding health clearance, and provisions of professional references.

EEO / M / F / D / V / Drug Free Workplace