Nurse Practitioner en Comfort Life Hospice

POSITION SUMMARY
The Nurse Practitioner is a registered professional nurse with advances 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. He/She 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 needs of individuals and families within their home and communities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
In addition to all components of the above position summary the following “Essential Duties and
Responsibilities” are essential to successful performance in this position
• Provides medical care, palliates, and manages terminal illness in compliance with the
state Nurse Practice Act under the supervision of a collaborating physician.
• Completed 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.
• 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.
• Completed 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 the interpretation for eligibility for hospice recertification.
• Makes recommendations to the hospice medical director regarding patient eligibility for
certification and recertification for hospice care.
• Reviews clinical information, coordinates and oversees patient care in consultation with
the hospice interdisciplinary team and other hospice care.
• Assures that patient receives appropriate measures to control symptoms, through
collaboration with interdisciplinary team members.
• Reviews and develops protocol for treatment and proposes options for interventions
based on the literature in collaboration with the collaborating physician.
• Consults the collaborating physician when the patient’s plan of care is outside
standardized practice and protocols.
• Communicates and collaborates with the interdisciplinary group to create, review, and
revise the patient’s plan of care.
• 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.
• Completes, maintains, and submits accurate and relevant clinical notes, physical
examinations notes, assessments visit notes, medical orders, collaboration notes and other
documentation in the medical record.
• Educates/counsel 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 the patient.
• Provides and maintains a safe environment for the patient.
• Serves as a nursing resource for consultation and education to members of the
interdisciplinary team and other healthcare practitioners in the community.
• Establishes, builds, and nurtures relationships with staff and community referral sources
to facilitate program growth.
• Accepts and performs other related duties and responsibilities as required.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
• The incumbent in this position will have no direct reports.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/CREDENTIALS
• At least 18 years of age.
• Required Health Screening, TB Clearance, and Criminal Record Clearance.
• Special skills needed to meet client needs [California Code of Regulations Sections:
85065(f)/87411(g)]
• Graduated from an accredited School of Nursing.
• Completion of an accredited Nurse Practitioner Program which conforms with the
Board’s educational standards set forth in the California Code of Regulations Section
1484 or certification by a national organization/association whose standards are
equivalent to those set forth in the California Code of Regulations Section 1484 or a
registered nurse who has not completed a nurse practitioner program of study which
meets the Board of Registered Nursing’s educational standards as specified in the
California Code of Regulations Section 1484.
• Current nursing licensure in State and CPR certification.
• 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.
• Accreditation from an approved certifying body for advanced practice nursing as required
by State.
• Certification in a specialist area preferred; (e.g. Hospice and Palliative Nursing (CHPN),
Pediatrics or Geriatrics)
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
To perform this position successfully, you must be able to perform each essential duty and
responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals
with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. The requirements listed
below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
• Excellent observation, verbal and written communication skills, problem solving skills,
mathematical skills; nursing skills per competency checklist.
• Maintains knowledge of and compliance with current Medicare/Medicaid, state/federal
rules, and regulations for hospice services.
• Maintains and upgrades professional knowledge and practice through attendance at
seminars, conferences and participation in continuing education and in-service classes.
• Demonstrate knowledge in communication and counseling patient/family in dealing with
end-of-life issues.
• Complies with all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
requirements in accordance with federal, state, and organizational policies.
• If making home visits, must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in
accordance with state/or organization requirements and is in good working order.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
• 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.

Pay Scale : $200 per visit