QUALIFICATIONS &EXPERIENCE

• Current Nurse Practitioner licensure with Family, Adult or Geriatric certification.

• Maintains a “collaboration agreement” with a hospice physician according to licensing and practice rules.  

• At least three (3) years experience in the practice as a Nurse Practitioner. 

• Maintains current BLS certification.

• Familiar with the philosophy of Palliative/Hospice care.

• Expertise in pain and symptom management, especially in the appropriate use of narcotics.

• Experience with issues concerning end of life care, pain and symptom management and the dying process.  Comfortable and skilled in conversations with patients and their family regarding prognosis and decision-making weighing treatment options to match quality of life.

• Presents a negative TB skin test and/or chest X-ray and other tests as required by Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.

• Maintains a valid Michigan’s driver’s license and has the availability of a reliable, licensed and insured vehicle for use on the job, vehicle must be insured in accordance with the State of Michigan.

• Remains up to date on all routine immunizations required by LARA and agency policy. Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Nurse Practitioner is responsible for the palliation and management of the terminal illness for assigned hospice patients when assuming the role of Attending Physician. At all times follows practices approved within the Conditions of Participation of the Medicare and Medicaid Programs.  Actively supports the work of the interdisciplinary team.  

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Primary Duties

• Completes face to face assessments and provides clinical findings to hospice physicians for the completion of the recertification of Hospice patients, ensuring they meet the medical criteria for admission and for continued services in the Hospice program, based upon available diagnostic and prognostic indicators.  

• Collaborates with attending physicians from the community and other interdisciplinary team members to establish immediate and long-term therapeutic goals.  Helps to set clinical priorities and in developing a plan of care.

• If the Nurse Practitioner assumes the role of Attending Physician for any patient, she/he will be responsible for meeting the medical needs of the patient. 

• Shares the agency’s patient caseload responsibilities with the Medical Director and any other Hospice Physician(s) including rotation to on-call responsibilities.   

• Develops ongoing positive and professional relationships with contracted providers and other related bodies.

• Monitors, interprets, and reports to the Medical Director clinical indicators to detect trends which could affect quality of care.

• Participates in public relations and community activities that promote Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, as requested.

• Promotes Hospice referrals in the community; maintains a good standing in the community.

• Provides families and others in the community with appropriate information to make informed decisions regarding Hospice care and services.

• Provides ongoing education and consultation on medical issues to staff, to assist them in continually improving all aspects of Hospice services provided.

• Stays informed about changes in the field(s) of expertise and hospice care and shares information with the appropriate personnel.

• Assists with preceptor/teaching assignments with allied health, medical students, Residents and others while on hospice and palliative care rotations with the agency. 

• Meets established visit goals for hospice patients residing in their homes, including assisted living, nursing homes and other living environments. 

• Competent in the use of the electronic medical record for documentation if applicable to assigned work and understands Nurse Practitioner and physician billing codes and their appropriate application that reflects the service provided.

• Uses established clinical guidelines for quality and optimal outcomes in making decisions concerning ordering of medications and treatments.  Cost effectiveness and the use of hospice standing orders are part of the decision making.

• All documentation is completed within timeliness guidelines and is accurate and supports sound medical practice and reimbursement for services provided.

•  Makes decisions in medication management that consider ordering medications that are formulary, when possible, discontinue medications that are not helpful, assists in discussion with patient and clinical team about appropriateness. Understands and uses the “BUILD” model.  Uses the pharmacists at Enclara as resources.   
•  There is documented evidence of consultation as needed between the undersigned nurse practitioner and the physician.