Hospice Transition Specialist Nurse Practitioner

JOB SUMMARY: The Hospice Transition Specialist Nurse Practitioner (NP) provides palliative care for patients aging, chronic, complex, and/or life-threatening conditions while building and maintaining relationships with key referral sources. This position serves as a clinical and educational team lead for patients

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Perform routine and emergency assessments

• Perform bedside palliative care patient/family evaluation

• Order, perform, and interpret laboratory and radiology tests within scope of professional practice

• Prescribe medications including controlled substances to the extent delegated and licensed

• Order treatments and durable medical equipment (DME) as indicated

• Perform other therapeutic or corrective measures as indicated

• Consult with palliative care physician or designees as needed, inform primary physician of services provided and collaborate with other physicians as needed

• Assist in all facets of care coordination for palliative care referrals

• Prepare and maintain accurate patient records, charts, and documents to support sound medical practice and reimbursement for services provided

• Comply with applicable laws and regulations with respect to Collaborative Agreements

• Initiate reimbursement for services rendered

• Assist in development of clinical practice guidelines/standards in support of quality palliative care

• Advocate for improvement in palliative care through participation in professional, private, and governmental groups

• Define goals for professional growth and participate actively in professional activities and organization

• Engage in active and frequent self-care activities for personal and professional growth and longevity

• Adhere to the practice of confidentiality regarding patients, families, staff, and the Organization

• Assist patients and families in identification of goals of treatment and ongoing plans of care

• Communicate patient and family goals among Interdisciplinary Team (IDT)

• Clinical Liaison

• Facilitate initiatives that promote hospice access in the assigned hospital(s)

• Ensure the educational needs of the hospital staff and physicians as it relates to hospice care and services are assessed and met on an ongoing basis

• Continuously conduct education needs assessments and develop an associated plan designed to meet the needs of the assigned hospital(s)

• Establish and monitor customer, payer, and patient perceptions of Bristol Hospice as a high-quality provider of hospice and palliative care services in the assigned hospital(s)

• Facilitate communication with agency and referral sources as needed to promote the continuum of care

• Promptly respond to customer and referral source requests and concerns

• Serve as a hospice and palliative care resource to the assigned hospital(s) to promote the continuum of care

• Provide in-services and educational programs to the assigned hospital(s) and clinics

• Work closely with community, hospital, and facility education representatives to meet growth and development targets and maintain market acceptance and allegiance

• Coordinate with the Executive Director and Director of Patient Care Services regarding the planning, implementation, and evaluation of in-service and continuing education programs

• Assist referrals to the appropriate level of care

• Attend and participate in staff meetings, educational programs, and community events, as requested

• Explain hospice services and benefits to patients, family members, and significant others in a manner that facilitates an accurate and positive view of hospice services

• Obtain signatures on all required forms, provides copies to patient/responsible party

• Ensure all forms are completed, dated, signed, and turned into the Admission Coordinator

• Ensure all available medical records are turned into the Admission Coordinator

• Establish and maintain significant professional relationships

Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Must be a graduate of an accredited School of Nursing and accredited Nurse Practitioner Program

• Must have current licensure in the state

• Must have a minimum of one (1) year Nurse Practitioner experience and a minimum of one (1) year hospice or palliative experience

• Must have accreditation from an approved certifying body for advanced practice nursing as require by the State

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Must have excellent observation, verbal and written communication skills, problem solving skills, basic math skills, and nursing skills per competency checklist

• Must possess a comprehensive working knowledge regarding information systems and applicable software programs

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be flexible in work hours

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Must comply with company policies, procedures and processes in addition to Hospice rules and regulations

• Must be dependable and flexible in work schedule

• Must comply with harassment and discrimination policies

• Must foster good working relationships

• Must have a current CPR certification

• Must be a licensed driver with reliable automobile that is insured in accordance with organization/state requirements

• Must be willing to submit to a criminal background check as well as a drug/alcohol screening upon hire and periodically thereafter

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT:

• Must be able to see color changes on a patient's skin; can listen to heart and lung sounds through a stethoscope; and feel skin temperature, as well as palpating pulses

• Must demonstrate vital sensory abilities including near vision, far vision, perceptual speed, visual color discrimination, depth perception and hearing sensitivity

• Must have finger dexterity, arm-hand steadiness and manual dexterity, must be able to manipulate equipment in a safe and effective way, and use tools that require motor functioning, such as blood pressure monitors, hypodermic needles and hemostats

• Must be able to communicate with patients, families and other health care workers

• Speech clarity, speech recognition and written expression are vital abilities for performing the job

• Will be required to lift heavy items on a frequent basis

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. with or without assistance and must be able to spend a prolonged amount of time standing, walking, bending and stretching

• Must possess the ability to deal with stressful situations as well as grieving families

• Must be compassionate without becoming personally involved with the patients and their families

• Must be willing to participate in a drug/alcohol screen prior to hire, if involved in a work- related automobile accident or if reasonable suspicion is reported