The nurse practitioner (NP) will practice independently and is responsible for conducting face to face assessments for the hospice patient and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to ensure patient centered care is delivered. The NP performs an advanced assessment based on the clinical findings, record review, disease trajectory and evaluation of effectiveness of care to support the medical director’s decision for continued eligibility for hospice care. The NP provides education based on expertise for the interdisciplinary team and community on hospice, palliative care, and other identified educational topics.

The NP will independently manage a case load of pediatric patients in consultation and collaboration with hospice physicians while working closely with community providers.

Essential Functions:

• Provides face to face assessment for identified patients required for admission certification and re-certification within the regulatory time frames.
• Document clinical findings and submits according to policy to ensure compliance with applicable federal and state regulations for hospice and patient care services.
• Collaborates with designated individual coordinating visits to ensure timely and efficient services.
• Participates in quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) activities and education related to areas of practice as appropriate and completes all mandatories.
• Ensures regulatory compliance of all clinical practices with all federal and state regulations governing hospice agencies, organizational policies within the scope of practice of the advanced practice nurse.
• Provides consultation to the clinical staff to support evidenced-based nursing practice.
• Provides education to support patient centered care by evaluating the medication plan of care and facilitates quality outcomes.
• Assist in development of clinical practice guidelines/standards in support of quality palliative care.
• Performs other duties as assigned. Responsible for practicing within the scope of practice for the APRN.
• Care is provided in a collaborative manner across the life span in diverse settings to individuals and families experiencing life-limiting, progressive illness. The core competencies include:

• Clinical Judgment: Demonstrates critical thinking, analysis and clinical judgment in the care of patients and families experiencing life-limiting, progressive illness through use of the nursing process to address the physical, emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of the patients and families.
• Advocacy and Ethics: Incorporates ethical principles and professional standards in the care of patients and families experiencing life-limiting, progressive illnesses. Identifies and advocates for the wishes and preferences of patient and family, promotes ethical and legal decision making, and improves access to care and community resources by influencing or formulating health and social policy.
• Professionalism: Exhibits knowledge, attitude, behavior, and skills that are consistent with the professional standards, code of ethics, and scope of practice for palliative nursing. Examples of professionalism include contributing to improved quality and cost-effective hospice and palliative services, participating in the generation, testing, and evaluation of hospice and palliative care knowledge and practice, and participating in the hospice and palliative care organizations.
• Systems Thinking: Identifies and utilizes the system resources necessary to enhance quality of life for patients and families experiencing life-limiting, progressive illnesses through knowledge and negotiation.
• Communication: Uses effective verbal, non-verbal and written communication with patients and families, members of the healthcare team, and community to therapeutically address and accurately convey the hospice/palliative care needs of patients and families throughout the disease process and bereavement. Uses therapeutic communication skills in all interactions throughout the palliative care continuum.
• Cultural Competence: Respects and honors the diversity and unique characteristics of patients, families and colleagues in hospice and palliative care and bereavement. Addresses the psychosocial and spiritual needs of patients and families throughout the dying process and bereavement. Cultural values and attitudes are incorporated into the plans of care throughout the continuum.
• Collaboration: Actively promotes dialogue and collaboration with patients and families and facilitates collaborative practice with the healthcare team and community to address and plan for issues related to living with and dying from chronic, life-limiting, progressive illnesses through the bereavement phase.
• Facilitator of Learning: Promotes the learning of patient, family, self, members of the healthcare team and community by the developing, implementing, and evaluating formal and informal education related to living with, and dying from, life-limiting progressive illnesses. Creates a healing environment that promotes and permits a peaceful death. Creates opportunities and initiatives for hospice and palliative care education for patients, families, colleagues, and community as well.