Nurse Practitioner

JOB SUMMARY

The Nurse Practitioner is a registered professional nurse with advanced graduate education and clinical
training who provides comprehensive hospice services in compliance with the state Nurse Practice Act
and under the supervision of a collaborating physician. The Nurse Practitioner provides hospice care
through the evaluation and assessment of the health history, health promotion, diagnosing medical
conditions, management of health problems by directing and developing the plan of care, prescribing
medications or treatments, coordinating and collaborating with patients, families, and other healthcare
practitioners. Under the supervision of a physician, the nurse practitioner visits patients, completes
physical assessments, performs face to face assessments and evaluates hospice eligibility as assigned in
consultation with the hospice interdisciplinary team. The nurse practitioner builds from the resources of
the community to plan and direct services to meet the need of individuals and families within their
homes and communities.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Patient Care

1. Provides medical care, palliates, and manages terminal illness in compliance with the state Nurse

Practice Act under the supervision of a collaborating physician.

2. Completes history and physical examinations, by evaluating the patient's medical condition and

health history, ordering and interpreting results from laboratory and diagnostic tests or
procedures, diagnosing health conditions and documents the findings in the patient's medical
record.

3. Manages health conditions and terminal illnesses by developing an individualized plan of care,
prescribing medications and / or treatments, obtaining consultations or making referrals and
coordinating hospice care services.

4. Completes the hospice face to face visit requirements prior to the third and subsequent hospice
benefit periods to assess hospice eligibility based on the hospice conditions of participation and
the local coverage determinations. Provides clinical information to the hospice medical director
for interpretation for eligibility for hospice recertification.

5. Makes recommendations to the hospice medical director regarding patient eligibility for
certification and recertification for hospice care.

6. Reviews clinical information, coordinates and oversees patient care in consultation with the
hospice interdisciplinary team and other healthcare practitioners.

7. Assures that patient receives appropriate measures to control symptoms through collaboration
with interdisciplinary team members.

8. Reviews and develops protocols for treatment and proposes options for interventions based on
the literature in collaboration with the collaborating physician.

9. Consults the collaborating physician when the patient's plan of care is outside standardized
practice and protocols.

Communication

1. Communicates and collaborates with the interdisciplinary group to create, review and revise the

patient's plan of care.

2. Consults with the patient's attending physician, the hospice medical director and other

healthcare practitioners regarding the patient's eligibility for hospice care, ongoing care needs
and medical management related to the patient's terminal condition.

3. Communicates with other community health practitioners to coordinate the plan of care.

4. Attends and participates in hospice interdisciplinary group meetings.

5. Completes, maintains, and submits accurate and relevant clinical notes, physical examination

notes, assessment visit notes, medical orders, collaboration notes and other documentation in
the medical record.

6. Educates/counsels patients, families, and/or caregivers as to preventative care, medical
problems, psychological problems, and spiritual problems in conjunction with the
interdisciplinary team to meet the total needs of patients.

7. Provides and maintains a safe environment for the patient.

8. Assists the patient and family/caregiver and other team members in providing continuity of

care.

9. Works in cooperation with the family/caregiver and hospice interdisciplinary group to identify

the goals of care and meet the care needs of the patient and family/caregiver.

10. Serves as a nursing resource for consultation and educations to members of the interdisciplinary

team and other healthcare practitioners in the community.

11. Establishes, builds and nurtures relationships with staff and community referral sources to

facilitate program growth.

Additional Duties

1. Maintains knowledge of and compliance with current Medicare/Medicaid, state/federal rules

and regulations for hospice services

2. Ensures compliance with the Medicare conditions of participation and other state regulations

govern the provision of healthcare.

3. Complies with all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements in

accordance with federal, state and organizational policies.

4. Participates in organizational monitoring of the quality of medical services and quality

improvement initiatives.

5. Assumes responsibility for personal growth. Develops, maintains and upgrades professional

knowledge and practice skills through attendance at seminars, conferences and participation in
continuing education and in-service classes.

6. Fulfills the obligation of requested and/or accepted assignments.

7. Demonstrate knowledge in communication and counseling patient/family in dealing with end-

of-life issues.

JOB REQUIREMENTS (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities)

1. Graduation from an accredited School of Nursing and accredited Nurse Practitioner Program.

2. Master's degree with a minimum of one (1) year Nurse Practitioner experience and a minimum
of one (1) year hospice or palliative care experience.

3. Current nursing licensure in State and CPR certification.

4. Accreditation from an approved certifying body for advanced practice nursing as required by

State.

5. Certification in a specialist area preferred; (e.g. Hospice and Palliative Nursing (CHPN), Pediatrics

or Geriatrics).

6. Excellent observation, verbal and written communication skill, problem solving skills,

mathematical skills; nursing skills per competency checklist.

7. Prolonged or considerable walking or standing. Able to lift, position and / or transfer patients.

Able to lift supplies and equipment. Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling and/or
crouching. Visual acuity and hearing to perform required nursing skills.

8. Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state/or
organization requirements and is in good working order.

The employer for this position is stated in the job posting. The Pennant Group, Inc. is a holding company of independent operating subsidiaries that provide healthcare services through home health and hospice agencies and senior living communities located throughout the US. Each of these businesses is operated by a separate, independent operating subsidiary that has its own management, employees and assets. More information about The Pennant Group, Inc. is available at