Description

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