Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner

General SummaryThe Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner serves as a member of the Palliative Care Team, collaborating with team members for optimal patient outcomes and embracing opportunities to learn from and teach team members. The Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner serves as a primary level care provider under the clinical supervision of the Hospice of Dubuque Medical Director or Hospice Physician. The Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner demonstrates expertise in palliative care and collaborates with each patient’s primary care provider. The Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner provides palliative services to patients in their place of residence or in contracted facilities, and he/she completes appropriate documentation for billable visits and for coordination of care. Able to complete a weekly rotation to provide services for in-patient palliative care with a contracted facility. This employee serves as a liaison with referral sources and the medical community, thus must demonstrate decorum when engaging and communicating with other healthcare providers. The Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner may be assigned to perform the duties of the Hospice Nurse Practitioner. The Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner must maintain high standards of integrity and business ethics, and provide all patient care in accordance with current professional standards of practice and regulatory requirements.Principal Duties and ResponsibilitiesRepresents Hospice of Dubuque in a professional, responsible manner and exhibits dedication to the advancement of palliative care as a medical specialty.Evaluates clients referred to Hospice of Dubuque’s Palliative Care Consulting service or located in contracted facilities, and performs palliative consultation and collaborates with the patient’s primary care provider.Assesses the physical and psychosocial status of clients by means of interview, health history review, physical examination and diagnostic studies.Makes assessment visits to patients in their place of residence or while located in a contracted facility.Works on a rotating weekly schedule with other Palliative Care Nurse Practitioners with contracted facility for in-patient palliative care services.Works with Hospice Intake Nurses to support access to hospice services in a timely manner.Functions in the role of Hospice Nurse Practitioner by completing hospice patient face-to-face visits and other hospice nurse practitioner duties, as delegated/requested.Completes patient visits in a timely manner and documents visits appropriately.Interprets and integrates clinical data to assess, prescribe or recommend appropriate comfort interventions for palliative care.Collaborates with Hospice of Dubuque Medical Director or Hospice Physician and client’s primary physician.Prescribes medications within the scope of nurse practitioner autonomy of practice.Serves as an active member of the Palliative Care Team by sharing clinical expertise to help ensure quality palliative care and welcoming expertise that is shared by other team members.Prepares and maintains accurate and timely patient records to support sound medical practice and coding for reimbursement for services as appropriate.Assists in providing training/clinical education to staff when appropriate or as delegated.Evaluates clients for ongoing eligibility for palliative services.Provides support, feedback, and assistance in problem-solving to members of the Palliative Care Team, as appropriate.Maintains and develops relationships with community physicians and referral sources.Functions as liaison with facilities and other healthcare providers in the community.Participates in the Hospice of Dubuque Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement program, as assigned.Documents activities and provides requested reports in an appropriate and timely fashion.Provides support and mentoring in problem solving issues of eligibility and hospice interventions for Interdisciplinary Team members, as requested.Demonstrates the ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion, to determine work priorities, and to manage and multitask to ensure completion of duties.Participates in family, staff, volunteer, community, student and outreach educational programs as appropriate and as requested.Maintains client confidentiality.Respects the patient’s rights and treats the client and his/her property with respect.Abides by Hospice of Dubuque rules, policies and procedures and the applicable laws and regulations.Conducts self in an honest, ethical manner.Reports promptly any suspected violation of compliance standards to the Compliance Officer.Abides by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirement to use Protected Health Information in accordance with agency-determined minimum necessary information guidelines.Abides by privacy practices as described in Hospice of Dubuque’s Notice of Privacy Practices.Performs other related duties as assigned.As requested, completes hospice face-to-face patient visits in the absence of the Hospice Nurse Practitioner.ClassificationNon-exemptEducation/CredentialsGraduate of an accredited school offering an advanced degree for nurse practitioners (ARNP)—Master’s or Doctorate. Certification as an ARNP from appropriate organization. Unrestricted license to practice as an advanced nurse practitioner in the state of Iowa, and in the states of Illinois and Wisconsin if assigned to see patients there. Hospital privileges or the eligibility to apply for privileges. At least 2 years related nursing experience; hospice or palliative care experience preferred. Current DEA certificate without restriction. Current CPR certification.RequirementsExcellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively communicate with diverse populations including physicians, referral sources, other healthcare providers, Hospice of Dubuque Interdisciplinary Team members, Palliative Care Team members, and clients.Leadership, team-building and analytical skills necessary to collaborate effectively with others to enhance delivery of hospice and palliative care.Clinical expertise in aggressive comfort care, identification of goals and family systems.Organizational and administrative skills necessary to maintain complex visit scheduling system for billable palliative visits.Flexibility in responding to patient-driven care.Willingness to seek ongoing knowledge regarding the delivery of hospice and palliative care.Participation in professional development activities and maintenance of professional affiliations.Embrace interdisciplinary team approach for achieving optimal patient outcomes and opportunities to learn from and share knowledge with other team members.Fulfill mandatory hospice face-to-face encounters, as assigned, for determination of hospice medical eligibility.Fulfill contracted employee role according to the terms of any palliative care services agreements that are entered into by Hospice of Dubuque.Physical DemandsPosition requires loading and unloading of durable medical equipment weighing up to 45 pounds. The employee will not lift any item that is beyond his or her ability to safely lift without seeking assistance. Must be physically able to visit patients in their place of residence. Must be able to physically care for patients in low beds.Environmental DemandsPosition may require up to 50% travel time. Must be able to be outside and able to drive in all types of weather. Must maintain strict adherence to Standard Precautions.CommentsMust have own transportation. Must have a valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record. Must maintain a minimum of $100,000 for bodily injury liability on own automobile liability insurance. Must maintain personal hygiene and appearance. #J-18808-Ljbffr