Nurse Practitioner Hospice at VISITING NURSE SERVICE AND HOSPICE OF SUFFOLK in Northport, New York

Job Description:

Duties and Responsibilities:

Supervise and direct medical services as Nurse Practitioner in collaboration with the medical director for the Certified Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service & Hospice of Suffolk, Inc.
Serve as a member of the interdisciplinary team with the Medical Director, Clinical Managers, Social Worker, Pastoral Care Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, Primary Nurse and others, confirming that the patient meets the medical criteria for admission to the hospice program based on available prognostic indicators.
Act as physician of record for all patients admitted to the Hospice House as evidenced by

Initial assessment of all admissions
· Assist other members of the Interdisciplinary Team to manage the stages of referral, assessment, admission, plan of treatment preparation, care plan review and revision, oversight of medications and treatment, and discharge for all Hospice House patients in collaboration with the Medical Director.
· Evaluation of patient medications as appropriate for palliative end of life care with emphasis on pain control and symptom management.
· Conduct daily rounds at the Hospice House, assessing patient condition and response to treatment, updating orders, and documenting intervention on patient record.
· Oversight of medical care plan in collaboration with Hospice Medical Director
· Document care provided in the patient's chart including evidence progression of end-stage disease process.
· Conduct face to face encounters consistent with Medicare requirements
· Periodic review of changes in patient's medical condition with consideration of appropriate level of care provided
· Timely phone consultation with nursing staff regarding new admissions and/or changes in patient condition that may require medication or other care plan change
· On-call availability during non-working hours for emergency consultation or problem situations that cannot wait for otherwise scheduled on site presence.

Consult as needed regarding Hospice home care patients with the patient's Primary Physician, Hospice Interdisciplinary Team members, and Hospice Medical Director.
Provide direct medical care to hospice patients at home as appropriate in the absence of the patient's personal physician or on a consulting basis, when determined necessary by the Hospice Team.
Act as the "Physician of Record" for those patients who request a nurse practitioner or do not have a physician in the community who will be responsible for patient's care in the home for those patients who may be homebound.
Maintain close working relationship with Chief Executive Officer and other members of the management team.
Assist other members of the Interdisciplinary Team in the establishment and review and updating of agency policies and procedures.
Participate in educational and in-service programs such as Volunteer Training Sessions, and Interdisciplinary Team meetings.
Participate in continuous quality improvement activities, such as but not limited to quarterly Quality Assurance meetings, PI Projects, and Annual Agency Evaluation.
Provide Nurse Practitioner support to the patient, family and staff in dealing with end-of-life issues.
Participate in resolution of conflict and issues of clinical and ethical concern with the Medical Director or Primary Physicians.
Ensure maintenance of pharmacy license applicable to Inpatient Hospice House.
Employee adheres to all applicable federal, state, local laws and regulations.
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Graduation from an accredited school of nursing and MSN or NP program.
Licensed to practice as a nurse practitioner in the state of New York.
Demonstrated ability in the management of pain and symptom control.
Familiarity with the Hospice concept and its application.

Ability to relate well to the terminally ill and their families.
Ability to understand and promote effective interaction between members of the multilevel Interdisciplinary Team.