The Hospice Nurse Practitioner provides advanced nursing care to hospice patients under the direction of the Hospice Medical Director. The NP performs comprehensive assessments, develops and updates individualized plans of care, manages symptoms, prescribes medications (within state scope of practice), collaborates with the interdisciplinary team, and supports patients and families throughout the end-of-life journey.
The NP ensures care is delivered in accordance with Medicare Conditions of Participation, state regulations, organizational policies, and hospice philosophy.
Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesClinical Care
- Perform comprehensive hospice admission, follow-up, and face-to-face assessments.
- Evaluate physical, emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of patients.
- Diagnose and manage acute and chronic symptoms related to terminal illness.
- Develop, implement, and modify individualized plans of care.
- Prescribe medications, treatments, and durable medical equipment as permitted by state law.
- Order and interpret laboratory and diagnostic studies when appropriate.
- Perform advanced physical examinations.
Hospice Recertification
- Conduct required hospice face-to-face encounters for patients entering the third benefit period and subsequent recertification periods.
- Complete documentation supporting continued hospice eligibility.
- Collaborate with the Hospice Medical Director regarding certification decisions.
Symptom Management
- Manage pain and other distressing symptoms including:
- Dyspnea
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Anxiety
- Delirium
- Constipation
- Secretions
- Agitation
- Wound management
- Recommend medication adjustments based on patient condition.
Collaboration
- Work closely with:
- Hospice Medical Director
- Registered Nurses
- Social Workers
- Chaplains
- Hospice Aides
- Pharmacists
- Therapists
- Participate in weekly Interdisciplinary Group (IDG) meetings.
- Assist with complex patient care planning.
Family Support
- Educate patients and caregivers regarding:
- Disease progression
- Medication management
- Comfort measures
- Advance care planning
- Goals of care
- Provide emotional support to patients and families.
Documentation
- Complete timely, accurate, and comprehensive documentation in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
- Document all patient encounters according to CMS regulations and agency policy.
- Ensure documentation supports medical necessity and hospice eligibility.
Quality and Compliance
- Adhere to Medicare Conditions of Participation.
- Participate in Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) activities.
- Maintain compliance with HIPAA and organizational policies.
- Participate in chart reviews and clinical audits.
Qualifications Education
- Master's or Doctorate degree in Nursing from an accredited Nurse Practitioner program.
Licensure
- Current Illinois Registered Nurse license.
- Current Illinois Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) license.
- National Nurse Practitioner Certification.
- DEA registration (if prescribing controlled substances).
- Current CPR certification.
Experience
- Minimum 2 years of Nurse Practitioner experience preferred.
- Hospice, palliative care, oncology, geriatrics, or internal medicine experience strongly preferred.
- Experience with end-of-life care highly desirable.
Required Knowledge and Skills
- Excellent assessment and diagnostic skills.
- Strong symptom management expertise.
- Knowledge of hospice philosophy.
- Familiarity with Medicare hospice regulations.
- Strong communication and counseling skills.
- Ability to work independently.
- Excellent time management.
- EMR proficiency.
- Compassionate bedside manner.
- Ability to travel to patient homes, nursing facilities, and assisted living facilities.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
- Frequent standing, walking, bending, and sitting.
- Ability to drive throughout the service area.
- Valid driver's license and automobile insurance.
Work Environment
- Patient homes
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Assisted living facilities
- Independent living communities
- Hospice inpatient units (if applicable)
Performance Expectations
The Hospice Nurse Practitioner is expected to:
- Deliver compassionate, patient-centered care.
- Complete documentation within agency timelines.
- Maintain high patient and family satisfaction.
- Participate in IDG meetings consistently.
- Support hospice census growth through excellent clinical service.
- Maintain compliance with CMS and state regulations.
- Promote teamwork and professionalism.
Preferred Qualifications
- Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse Practitioner (ACHPN®)
- Experience with hospice EMR systems
- Bilingual (English/Spanish or other languages)
- Experience in community-based hospice care
For a hospice the size of Carewell Hospice, you may also want to include productivity expectations, such as:
- 4–6 patient visits per week(depending on travel)
- Completion of all face-to-face recertification visits before CMS deadlines
- Attendance at weekly IDG meetings
- Availability for physician consultation and urgent symptom management during scheduled work hours
These expectations can help define performance standards while maintaining flexibility for patient acuity and travel demands.
Pay: From $100.00 per hour
Education:
License/Certification:
Location:
Ability to Commute:
Work Location: On the road
