JOB SUMMARY: The Nurse Practitioner functions as an extension of the IDT and hospice physician to provide routine recertification and emergency assessments, educational, and evaluative services to meet the needs of patients and their families.
REPORTS TO: Medical Director
¨ Current Georgia or South Carolina Nurse Practitioner License.
¨ Minimum of two years of adult clinical nursing experience and/or at least one-year post-graduate adult clinical nursing.
¨ Must have reliable transportation and maintain a current driver license in the state and maintain automobile liability insurance.
¨ Must be able to understand, read, write and speak English.
¨ Must be able to relate positively and favorably to the patients, families and outside agencies and to work cooperatively with other Employees.
¨ Must understand and accept hospice philosophy and be knowledgeable of pain and symptom control as related to terminally ill patients.
¨ Must demonstrate autonomy, organization, assertiveness, flexibility and cooperation in performing job responsibilities.
¨ Must comply with acceptable professional standards and practice.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Position carries a risk of exposure to infectious diseases requiring standard safety precautions.
Position will be required to walk, stand, sit and reach with hands and arms. May be required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and smell. Requires the mobility to ambulate or lift a patient with or without the assistance of devices in excess of 50 lbs utilizing proper lifting techniques.
Requires specific vision concentration for charting/documentation and computer work.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The Position is a general Mon-Fri schedule. Hours vary with occasional request to work additional days/hours as needed.
The employee may encounter stressful situations with patients and their families regarding end of life care. Frequent driving may be required.
May be required to visit patients in areas that have been classified as high risk by local authorities. At times you may be required to serve patients outside your regularly assigned region of our service area.
Occasional – Exposure to blood, body tissues, and other potentially infectious fluids Occasional – Exposure to other hazardous waste materials
Frequently – Exposure to unpleasant odors as related to care of incontinent residents or wounds Frequently – Exposure to latex, plastic and/or materials which are used for personal protective equipment Occasional – Exposure to marked changes in temperature and/or humidity
Frequently – Exposure to microbial bacteria and other infectious agents inherent to care of ill patient
¨ Completes routine and emergency recertification Face to Face assessment visits on each patient entering their 3rd benefit period or beyond (including admissions and transfers) in their home setting or facility as requited by Medicare Regulations
¨ Performs accurate history and physical examinations.
¨ Assure response time to consultation requests occur in a clinically appropriate manner.
¨ Consults with the Medical Director and the IDT to contribute to the patients’ Plan of Care.
¨ Documents in a timely manner to support prognosis and reimbursement for services provided.
¨ All other duties as assigned.
¨ Supports agency and corporate policies, goals, and objectives.
¨ Attends and participates in staff meetings, educational programs and community events, as requested.
¨ Promotes hospice philosophy.
¨ Communicates with Medical Director, Attending Physician, and IDT as directed regarding finding from the visits and any measures to alleviate symptoms.
¨ Provides physical and emotional care to support the patient and family in period of crisis.
¨ Prevents unwarranted hospitalizations by meeting patient and family needs in the home.
¨ Assists with diagnosis, treatment, and management of acute and chronic health conditions.
¨ Orders, performs, and interprets laboratory and radiology tests within scope of professional practice.
¨ Prescribes medications including controlled substances to the extent delegated and licensed.
¨ Orders treatments and durable medical equipment as indicated.
¨ Performs other therapeutic or corrective measures as indicated, including urgent care.
¨ Consults with palliative care physician or designees as needed, informs primary physician of services provided and collaborate with other physicians as needed.
¨ Prepares and maintains accurate patient records, charts, and documents to support sound medical practice and reimbursement for services provided.
¨ Complies with applicable laws and regulations with respect to Collaborative Agreements.
¨ Assists patients and families with goal setting related to treatment options and advanced care planning.
¨ Provides training and continuing education for staff.
¨ Assists in development of clinical practice guidelines/standards in support of quality palliative care.
¨ Adheres to the practice of confidentiality regarding patients, families, staff and the organization.
¨ Collaborates/ Communicates with Medical Director, Attending Physician, DCS and IDT.
¨ Assists in identifying the need for intervention of other IDT members.
¨ Effectively communicates patient and family needs to IDT.
¨ Completes and submits required paper work within 24 hours of visit completion.
¨ Educates patient and caregiver regarding: Care of patient, Disease process, Dying Process, Symptom control, Wound care.
¨ Documents professionally, accurately, timely and according to hospice. policy, procedures and guidelines.
¨ Has a duty to report any potential misconduct or violation of federal or state laws and regulations to management.
