Nurse Practitioner - Hospice Care
JOB DESCRIPTION
Nurse Practitioner - Hospice Care
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:
Supervised by: Manager of Patient Services/Director and Medical Director
Positions Supervised: Nurses
Interrelationships: Patients, family, IDG and other health care team members
JOB SUMMARY:
To provide nurse practitioner care to the terminally ill Hospice patient as needed. To provide
assistance and understanding to the family in the home care situation and in time of bereavement.
To work as a member of the Hospice team in providing Hospice care.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Educational/Degree: Graduate from an accredited school of nursing. Nurse Practitioner is an advanced practice RN and a type of mid-level practitioner who is educated at the graduate level to provide primary, acute chronic and specialty care. Obtains graduate education at the masters, post-masters or doctoral level and obtains national board certification.
Training/Licensure: Currently licensed as a registered nurse practitioner to practice in the state. Functions within the duties permitted by state. Knowledge/Skills/Ability: Ability to work independently, make accurate, and at times, quick judgments. Ability to supervise others appropriately. Ability to respond appropriately to crises outside of a hospital setting. Acceptance of and adaptability to different social, racial, cultural and religious modes. Completes Hospice training program.
Experience: Minimum 2 years of experience as a registered nurse practitioner,
preferred.
Active patient contact within the past three years, preferred.
JOB FACTORS:
Physical Requirements:
Requires considerable physical effort most of the day including kneeling, squatting, reaching,
twisting, climbing, walking, exposure to temperature and humidity changes and maximal assist
in lifting and/or transferring of a 100-pound patient. Must possess sight/hearing senses or use
appropriate adaptive devices that will enable senses to function at a level required to meet the
essential duties of the position. Must provide evidence of annual TB test and other state-required
tests or examinations.
Mental Requirements:
Must be able to work independently, make judgments based on assessments and data available
and act accordingly. Must be flexible, innovative and possess good interpersonal skills. Must be
able to cope with mental and emotional stress and demonstrate emotional stability.
Working Conditions:
Be able to tolerate exposure to elements including, but not limited to, odors, blood, body fluids
and excrement, adverse environmental conditions and hazardous materials.
Transportation:
Must have a current valid driver's license, auto liability insurance and reliable transportation.
Essential Functions:
1. Regularly assesses and reassesses the needs of the Hospice patient.
2. Orders, performs, supervises and interprets diagnostic and laboratory tests.
3. Initiates and manages treatment plans, including prescribing medications and non-pharmacologic treatments.
4. Make diagnoses.
5. Observes signs and symptoms and reports to the physician and IDG members any unexpected changes in the patient's physical or emotional condition.
6. Teaches, supervises, educates and counsels the Hospice patient and family members about providing care for the patient.
7. Supervises and trains other nursing service personnel.
8. Develops and re-evaluates the patient/family care plan in conjunction with IDG to meet needs and maintains continuity of care.
9. Performs specific nursing procedures as needed (e.g., treatments, management of symptoms) following doctor's orders.
10. Attends team conferences.
11. Maintains records as required by Hospice.
12. Follows the policies and procedures of Hospice. Observes confidentiality and safeguards all patient-related information in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
13. Always communicates to the supervisor if unable to meet a patient's need or perform a procedure.
14. Participates in on-call system and is responsible for providing on-call coverage when
unavailable for assigned duties.
Work Environment:
• Office-based with occasional field visits to patient homes.
• Flexible working hours, with some on-call responsibilities required.
Requirements:
* Internet-capable Computer, Smart Phone and/or Tablet (iPad/Android) for accessing and working within the Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
* All applicants will be required to submit a background check authorization with the Massachusetts Criminal Offender Information Registry (CORI).
* All applicants will be checked against the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Exclusion List. "Excluded Individuals/Entities" means:
"Excluded Individual" or "Excluded Entity" is (i) an individual or entity, as applicable, who has been excluded, debarred, suspended or is otherwise ineligible to participate in federal health care programs such as Medicare or Medicaid by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG/HHS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or (ii) is an individual or entity, as applicable, who has been excluded, debarred, suspended or is otherwise ineligible to participate in federal procurement and non-procurement programs, including those produced by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). For more information, click HERE.
A valid, unrestricted MA drivers license and reliable transportation.
Better Care Home Health, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer., and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
Why Join Better Care Home Health Inc.?
• Work with a compassionate and dedicated team focused on providing exceptional care to
patients and their families.
• Competitive salary and benefits package for benefit eligible positions.
• Opportunities for professional development and growth.
• Supportive work environment that values work-life balance.
This position offers a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients while ensuring the highest standards of care are maintained. If you're a dedicated nurse with an eye for quality and an interest in home health care, we encourage you to apply.