NURSE PRACTITIONER

Description

Rev. 7/18/2023

Essential Functions

The Nurse Practitioner functions as an extension of the Medical Director to provide face to face encounters, assessments, education, and interventions to meet the needs of patients and their families.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct

None

Indirect

None

Challenges in Position

On-Call weekend shifts may be required; holiday shifts may be required; work flexible work schedules.

On feet many hours, moving rapidly, evaluating situations as they occur, prioritizing and coordinating patient care activities to meet the needs of the patients.

Effectively handle high anxiety and emotions of patients and families, dealing with grief, death and dying on a daily basis.

Decision Making Latitude

Individual Decision Making Parameters

Act on physician’s orders; use Nurse Practitioner level judgment to assess patients for changes, evaluate medication effectiveness and make appropriate changes within scope of license.

In Collaboration with Management

Anything not currently defined by the Nurse Practice Act, policies and procedures, state license regulations, or physician orders.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with professionalism and mutual respect for all. The requirements in this job description are representative of knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience

Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice degree required.(NP)

Minimum of two years of adult clinical nursing experience and/or at least one year post-graduate adult clinical nursing.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations, Vaccines

Advanced Practice (NP) Nurse license in the state of Georgia and Alabama required

Hospice and Palliative Care APRN certification preferred, or must obtain within 2 years of employment

Valid state Driver’s License required

Automobile insurance per Columbus Hospice policy required

CPR Certification required

Valid COVID-19 vaccine required (if hired before 8/4/2023)

Influenza vaccine during influenza season required

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and interpret bar graphs. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to professional students, medical students, employees, families and patients, and external customers. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to include confidentiality

Equipment and Machines Used

Computer/laptop Printer Medication infusion pumps

Telephone/iPhone Fax Machine Medical equipment

Copier Medical gases Security Alarm System

Patient Call System EMR System Timekeeping System

Travel Mapping Tools Secure Staff Communication System

All other routine or specialized office or company equipment.

Position Requirements (not all-inclusive)

Provide individualized patient care to include the following:

Complete 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 required by Medicare Regulations with accurate and prompt documentation.

Consult with admission director to assist with making visits to existing hospice patients that are in the hospital to expedite their discharge to the IPU or home setting when appropriate.

Perform routine evaluations of the overall status of non-GIP patients and provide an assessment of patient if condition changes or new needs develop while in the IPU.

Perform assessment of GIP patients when Medical Director makes assignments based on their schedule needs.

Occasional visits of GIP patients when arrival to IPU takes place after routine morning rounds and before end of business day.

Perform accurate history and physical examinations with accurate and prompt documentation.

Assure response time to consultation requests occur in a clinically appropriate manner.

Consult with the Medical Director and the IDT to contribute to the patient’s Plan of Care.

Consult and communicate with Medical Director, Attending Physician, IDT, patient, and family regarding findings from the visits and any measures to alleviate symptoms.

Provide physical and emotional care support and visit if indicated when complications arise for a nurse while managing a patient and/or family during a period of crisis or acute change.

Prevent unwarranted hospitalizations by meeting patient and family needs in the home.

Assist with diagnosis, treatment, and management of acute and chronic health conditions.

Order, perform, and interpret laboratory and radiology tests within scope of professional practice.

Perform review of patient’s medication lists and assist medical director in ongoing medication management and de-prescribing.

Order treatments and durable medical equipment as indicated per patient need.

Comply with applicable laws and regulations with respect to collaborative agreements.

Assist patients and families with goal setting related to treatment options and advanced care planning.

Provide education for nursing staff quarterly for inpatient nurses and home team nurses to include but not limited to: de-prescribing, wound management, PPS/FAST scores, MACs, weights, documentation to support eligibility.

Assist in development of clinical practice guidelines/standards in support of quality palliative care.

Adhere to the practice of confidentiality regarding patients, families, staff and the organization.

Educate patient and caregiver regarding: care of patient, disease process, dying process, symptom control, wound care, while encouraging patient and family to actively participate in care and care planning.

Document professionally, accurately, timely, and according to policies, procedures, and guidelines to support sound medical practice and reimbursement for services provided.

Has a duty to report any potential misconduct or violation of federal or state laws and regulations to management in consultation with IDT members.

Seek optimal symptom and pain control for the patients through attentive and thorough examination and follow up.

Participate in hospice training as required, to include 15 hours of CEUs/year and competency check per policy.

Attend and/or participate in one Memorial Service per year.

Participate in performance improvement activities.

Attend mandatory in-service education and staff meetings.

Represent the company in a positive and professional manner at all times with others, e.g., co-workers, management, vendors, and customers.

Complete all job responsibilities in a thorough and complete manner, utilizing good judgment in all aspects of the job.

When unsure of a directed task or any part of job responsibilities, proactively seek the assistance of immediate supervisor.

Assist with special projects as requested.

All other job duties as may be assigned.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, toxic or caustic chemicals, outside weather conditions, risk of electrical shock, explosives, and risk of radiation. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This job description is not intended to be a complete statement of job content, rather to act as a guide to the essential functions performed. Management retains the discretion to add or to change the duties of the position at any time.

Qualifications

Columbus Hospice, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.