Description

Join our mission!

Bristol Hospice is a nationwide industry leader committed to providing a family-centered approach in the delivery of hospice services throughout our communities. We believe all patients and families entrusted in our care deserve the highest level of compassion, respect, and quality of care.

As the Hospice Transition Specialist Nurse Practitioner (NP)you will provide 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.

On an Average Day you Will

• Perform bedside palliative care patient/family evaluation
• Perform routine and emergency assessments
• 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