Nurse Practioner

Description:

Purpose of Position

To serve as a Nurse Practitioner and to assist in overseeing the clinical care and treatment of patients served by Hospice El Paso in compliance with applicable licensure standards, agency policies and procedures, state and federal laws and regulatory requirements. The Nurse Practitioner conducts face to face evaluations in the determination of CMS Recertification. Consults and cooperates with the patients’ attending physician in collaboration with the Medical Director and provides clinical direction and guidance to the agency program and staff to assure the maintenance of quality care for patients and families. The Nurse Practitioner may not certify the terminal illness or sign a death certificate in the State of Texas.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Listed below is an outline of the major duties and responsibilities that will be required. Administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary to perform the assigned duties under the supervision of the Medical Director are delegated to this position.

Every effort has been made to make your job description as complete as possible. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is a logical assignment to the position.

DUTIES

1. Performs patient visits at the patient’s location to assist in the determination of hospice eligibility for recertification.

2. Documents findings of the assessment performed during the visit and reports these findings to the Medical Director.

a. When visiting patients for face-to-face encounter pre-admission status, the Medical Director will be contacted to report findings and receive approval for admitting the patient.

b. On visits for the face-to-face encounter due to recertification, the Medical Director will receive a copy of the findings along with any notes taken during the assessment.

3. Responsible for the medical aspect of the recertification process and activities with members of the local medical community in collaboration with the Medical Director.

4. Collaborates in assuring appropriate evaluation of terminal prognosis and appropriateness of patients at time of admission when patient requires a face-to-face evaluation.

5. Consults with team leaders on a PRN basis for clinical issues relating to the patient/family plan of care when assessing the patient during the face-to-face encounter.

6. Serves as a consultant with the patient’s primary physician as requested.

7. Reviews the quality of pain and symptom management.

8. Performs other duties as assigned by the Medical Director.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. General

a. Shall know and conform to the Texas Nursing Practice Act as delineated in Title 3, Subtitle E, Chapter 301 of the Texas Occupations Code, the Board of Nurse Examiner’s standards, rules and regulations as delineated in Title 22, Part 11 of the Texas Administrative Code, as well as all federal, state, or local laws, rules or regulations affecting the nurse’s current area of nursing practice.

b. Maintains Licensure as required by Title 3, Subtitle E, Chapter 301 of the Texas Occupations Code and Title 22, Part 11 of the Texas Administrative Code.

c. Notifies Hospice immediately of any pending action against the license or pending suspension or any suspension or action taken against the license.

d. Develops and maintains a good working relationship with patient care staff as well as other departments within the organization to assure that the services and activities can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the patients.

e. Delegates authority, responsibility, and accountability to responsible personnel for provision of nursing, social work, emotional care, and spiritual support.

f. Works with the Admissions Department to maintain an excellent working relationship with referring physicians and with health-related facilities and organizations.

g. Assures patient's rights to fair and equitable treatment, self-determination, individuality, privacy, property, and civil rights including the waging of a complaint are well respected and protected.

h. Functions independently, demonstrates personal integrity, flexibility, and the ability to work effectively with other personnel under varying circumstances.

i. Has knowledge of and follows Hospice policies and procedures.

j. Maintains a professional appearance.

k. Displays a consistent positive attitude.

l. Demonstrates Values of Hospice:

m. Adheres to Hospice of El Paso Mission and Value Statement.

Requirements:

1. Communication

a. Establishes and maintains effective communication and a cooperative manner with patient/family members, physicians, professionals, and support staff working in hospitals, nursing facilities, foster homes, and other related facilities as required by position.

b. Establishes and maintains a cooperative manner and effective communication, both verbally and in writing, with all levels of Hospice staff.

c. Listens and responds to the patient/family needs in a sensitive and timely manner keeping all parties (physician, team leader, social worker, nursing administration, business office, volunteers) appraised of developments.

d. Uses tact and sensitivity in communicating with patients/families, physicians, professionals, and support staff working in hospitals, nursing facilities, foster homes, and related facilities as required by position.

e. Complies with HIPAA standard by abiding with the minimum Protected Health Information necessary to perform job description responsibilities. Access level 3 – Select, insert, delete, update.

2. Professional Development

a. Attends, coordinates, and participates in weekly team meeting, patient care and bereavement conferences.

b. Attends in-service programs.

c. Attends workshops and seminars as approved.

WORKING CONDITIONS

1. Works in a well-lighted ventilated office area, as well as throughout the nursing service areas.

2. Subject to frequent interruptions.

3. Involved with physicians, patients, family members, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions/circumstances.

4. Subject to hostile and emotionally upset patients, family members, etc.

5. A willingness to work beyond normal working hours, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.

6. Involved in community/civic health matters/projects.

7. Subject to falls, burns from equipment, infectious diseases, odors, etc., throughout the workday.

8. Exposure Level: Category I- Direct contact with blood or other body fluids or tissues to which standard precautions apply. Personal protective equipment is made available and must be worn.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Education and Experience

a. Must be licensed to practice as an Advanced Practice Nurse in the state of Texas. A degree from an accredited college or university is desirable.

b. Must have a minimum of three (3) years experience in a supervisory capacity in a hospice, hospital, skilled nursing care facility, home health agency, or other related medical facility/service.