Hospice Nurse Practioner

The Hospice Nurse Practitioner is a vital member of the interdisciplinary team, providing comprehensive care and support for patients in the final stages of life. This position requires a compassionate and knowledgeable individual with a strong foundation in nursing and a commitment to promoting comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients and their families.

Primary Responsibilities and Duties:

• Conduct comprehensive patient assessments to determine eligibility for hospice services and develop individualized care plans that address physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
• Provide direct patient care, including pain and symptom management, medication adjustments, and wound care, ensuring patients' comfort and quality of life.
• Collaborate with attending physicians, hospice medical directors, and other healthcare professionals to optimize patient care and address complex medical issues.
• Maintain open communication with patients, families, and caregivers, educating them on hospice services, disease progression, and symptom management.
• Develop and implement goals of care in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, patients, and their families, ensuring alignment with patients' wishes and values.
• Monitor and document patient progress, adjusting care plans as needed to respond to changes in condition and address new concerns.
• Oversee the work of hospice nurses and other staff, providing guidance, training, and support to promote high-quality care and professional growth.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, case conferences, and in-service training to enhance knowledge, skills, and overall hospice care delivery.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines, documentation requirements, and facility policies and procedures related to hospice care.
• Provide bereavement support and resources to patients' families and caregivers, demonstrating empathy and compassion during the grieving process.
• Perform all other duties assigned by the Hospice Medical Director or designated supervisor, demonstrating adaptability and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Schedule: Days, PRN

• Current Nurse Practitioner (NP) license in the state of practice, with a specialization in hospice or palliative care preferred.
• Master's or Doctoral degree in Nursing from an accredited nurse practitioner program.
• National certification as a Nurse Practitioner, with a focus on Adult-Gerontology, Family Practice, or Palliative Care.
• Minimum of 2 years of nursing experience, preferably in hospice or palliative care settings.
• Strong clinical assessment, diagnostic, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with patients, families, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Knowledge of regulatory guidelines and best practices governing hospice and palliative care.
• Empathy, compassion, and a commitment to providing patient-centered care that respects the unique needs and values of individuals and their families.
• Ability to maintain accurate and timely documentation in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Current CPR certification and a valid driver's license for home visits.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds, assisting patients with mobility, transfers, and other physical tasks as needed.
• Prolonged periods of standing, walking, bending, and reaching while providing patient care and conducting assessments.
• Fine motor skills and dexterity for administering medications, wound care, and other medical procedures.
• Ability to perform home visits, which may require entering various types of residences and navigating stairs or uneven surfaces.
• Possess visual acuity and auditory ability to assess patients' physical condition and respond to communication from patients, families, and healthcare team members.
• Prolonged or considerable walking or standing. Able to lift, position and / or transfer patients. Able to lift supplies and equipment. Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling and/or crouching. Visual acuity and hearing to perform required nursing skills.