Hospice Nurse Practitioner (NP)- PRN

Overview

 

Want to make a difference with an organization whose purpose driven mission is to provide superior compassionate care?

 

This may be the place for you!!

 

When you profoundly impact someone’s life for the better, it’s hard to call it a job. We see it as a calling! You are about to be part of something bigger. Here, you’ll find a career that means something, an inspiring work environment, the opportunity to use your skills to make a real difference and a sense of accomplishment not easily replicated elsewhere. You’ll be part of the Agape Care family who is improving the quality of life for those facing advanced illness by delivering a level of care that is second to none! We are a community based hospice with local staff serving the local community in South Carolina and named a four time winner of "Best Place to Work in Healthcare!"

Responsibilities

A licensed and credentialed Nurse Practitioner (NP) provides diagnosis, treatment, consultation and follow-up under the supervision of 1 or more physicians. The NP provides age and specialty appropriate medical care at the level of training achieved. A Nurse Practitioner is an extension of a physician, being able to provide full hospice across all patient types. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment and counsel patients. Order and interpret test as indicated and recommend treatment of patients. Administer therapeutic procedures. Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval. Nurse Practitioner’s work within a defined specialization which can be any type of medical care, including, but not limited to: adult nursing, community health nursing, family nursing, geriatric nursing, & oncology nursing. 

• Assesses assigned case load of hospice & hospice care patients and families to identify the physical, psychosocial and environmental needs of patients as evidenced by documentation, clinical records, IDT reports, after hours reports , and on-site evaluations. Meets all regulatory and accreditation requirements related to the Plan of Care.
• Effectively identifies, evaluates, and addresses hospice and chronic disease management issues of the population in the practice while administering quality patient care.
• Provide full hospice care across all patient types.
• Able to maintain a full case load as directed by the physician.
• Communicates significant findings, problems, and changes in condition or environment to the Clinical Supervisor, physician, facility and/or other personnel involved with patient care.
• Reports unsafe conditions to the appropriate Clinical Supervisor, facility and physician in a timely manner.
• Responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of acute, chronic, and long-term healthcare issues.
• Possesses strong clinical & people skills.
• Set effective goals and priorities and monitor progress against plans.
• Determines proper approach to completing job. Avoid short cuts that may affect job quality.
• Prioritize daily needs of the patients and requests of the physician.
• Able to perform job duties in any facility and/or home setting.
• Flexible in handling assignment changes.
• Able to complete tasks and work effectively without constant supervision.
• Works in an independent and interdependent relationship with members of the medical staff, which allows for consultation, collaboration, or referral.
• Channels suggestions, criticism and questions to appropriate persons.
• Respond to suggestion and direction constructively.
• Administer therapeutic procedures. Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.
• Effectively conducts a face to face assessment within time frames set forth by CMS to determine hospice eligibility.
• Provides written clinical findings from face to face encounters to the physician who is considering recertifying the patient.
• Participates in the implementation of the plan of care of an assigned case load to ensure quality, continuity of care, and achievement of patient outcome.
• Demonstrates competency in all levels of care for Hospice.
• Maintains legible, accurate, and confidential medical records. Documents all medical evaluations, diagnoses, procedures, treatment, outcomes, education, referrals and consultations consistent with state regulatory standards.
• Educates patients and/or families about hospice care, medical issues, and use of prescribed medical treatments and/or medications.
• Maintains professional boundaries.
• Facilitates evaluation of records by physician(s), peers and quality standards according to protocol and receives and implements constructive directives.
• Assures clinical notes indicate continuing communication and coordination of services with physician, facility staff and team members.
• Demonstrates effective time management skills by completing patient assignment within projected time frame and arriving to appointments on schedule.
• Seek input from other team members regarding the patient plan of care to obtain additional knowledge and support.
• Work with appropriate nursing facility staff, family members, hospice staff & volunteers to provide care as indicated.
• Contact with internal and external customers (patients, families, administration, nursing and physicians) emphasize commitment to quality of service.
• Offers assistance to co-workers.
• Contribute teamwork without emphasizing own personal goals.
• Provides an environment which promotes respect for patient, privacy, and property.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the patient’s Bill of Rights and upholds patient’s rights.
• Demonstrates compliance with accurate, timely and pertinent information regarding the patient, family and caregivers.
• Accurate time, travel, and supplies are recorded of activity during visits and completed by the end of each work day.
• Maintain up to date patient records so that problems, plans, actions and goals are accurately and clearly stated and changes are reflected as they occur.
• Ensures signature includes first name, last name and credentials and is clearly legible on all visit notes.
• Practices accepted infection control principles.
• Follows all infection control guidelines and standards per Agency policy.
• Must follow proper technique when utilizing clean/dirty bag technique.
• Demonstrates commitment and professional growth.
• Attends all required in-service programs within the review year as assigned by management. Independently obtains CEU’s as required by licensure and provides a copy of same to human resources department.
• Seeks opportunities for professional growth, including demonstrating the ability to receive constructive performance feedback. Recognizes elements of patient and family systems that are not amendable to change. Evaluates own effectiveness in establishing and maintaining therapeutic relationship with clients, team members and facility and seeks assistance of supervisor or other resource persons.
• Participates in agency & community programs as requested to promote professional growth and understanding of hospice care.
• Serve as staff liaison with nursing facility, medical directors, director of nursing, attending physician and community agencies.
• Analyzes new knowledge gained from conferences, workshops, professional literature, or “hands-on training” and assimilates this knowledge into clinical practice.
• Promotes the Agency philosophy, mission statement and administrative policies to ensure quality of care.
• Maintains patient & staff privacy and confidentiality at all times pursuant to HIPAA Privacy Final Rule.
• Provides positive, supportive communication to physicians, patients, families, facilities, visitors, and other agency personnel.
• Maintains availability by phone as directed by company policy.
• Promotes Agency image by adhering to the dress code.
• Reports to work, facility and patient homes promptly as directed.
• Handles the personal property of patients and their families with care.
• Meets minimum productivity requirements based on agency standard.
• Carries out the mission and values of Hospice.
• Abides by company policy and procedures as outlined by company policy manual and rules & regulations of state & federal bodies with aide in determining policies.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications/Requirements:

 

EDUCATION:  Graduate of an accredited Certificate, Diploma, Associate or Baccalaureate School of Nursing. LICENSURE: Current State License as a Registered Nurse. Certification as a Nurse Practitioner. EXPERIENCE: 2 years experience within the last 5 years in chronic disease management/long term care. Hospice background preferred. SKILLS: Nursing skills as defined by accepted nursing standards. Demonstrates ability to assess and respond to the needs of patients, families and caregivers in varied settings and to function effectively in the home or nursing facility environment. Demonstrates skill in nursing practice, ability to cope with family emotional stress and tolerance of individual lifestyles. Ability to handle multiple priorities, documentation requirements and deadlines. TRANSPORTATION: Reliable transportation HEALTH STATUS: Meets all applicable agency policies and procedures related to health screening and required testing.    Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: 1. Complete required work on a daily basis.2. Cope with work involving ill, disabled, and dying patients.3. Sit, stand, bend, lift, and move intermittently. Must be able to lift at least 25lbs and bear the weight of an average adult effectively so as to be able to perform the above listed functions.4. Move equipment and supplies necessary for job functions.5. Read in a 12 point or larger type, speak and write English in order to fulfill job functions in an understandable way.6. See/hear or use prosthetics that enable accomplishment of job.7. Meet the health requirements of the agency.8. Possible exposure to infectious diseases.9. Abide by all occupational safety and bloodborne pathogen protocol to minimize illness and/or injury.10. Move, support and/or transfer patients as required to perform essential functions of position.