JOB SUMMARY:

Provides direct patient care for hospice patients including history procurement, physical examination, initiation and interpretation of tests, analysis of data and the implementation, management and evaluation of Plans of Care. Makes patient visits at their place of residence as indicated. May serve as the attending practitioner for hospice patients, including those in an inpatient setting in accordance to laws and regulations. May serve as a consulting practitioner for the Center for Comprehensive Palliative Care. Or, may serve to only make focused patient visits as directed.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• As directed, participates in the medical management of patients with life-limiting conditions to effectively implement the Plan of Care in conjunction with the hospice medical directors for patients in residing in private homes, assisted living facilities, nursing home, hospice houses and other settings, making visits as deemed medically necessary and to meet regulatory requirements.
• Utilizes expert skills in history procurement, physical examinations, initiation and interpretations of tests, analysis of data and the implementation and evaluation of Plans of Care for each patient based on clinical knowledge, patient preference and benefits to the patient.
• Utilizes a holistic approach to assess patient needs in an on-going and timely manner, intervening appropriately and accurately as appropriate, delegating patient care duties to other members of the team in order to assure optimal patient outcomes.
• With applicable approvals/credentialing, consults with referred patients in hospitals as directed.
• May serve as the attending practitioner for hospice patients in accordance to applicable laws and regulations.
• Provides appropriate and pertinent patient education to the patient/family according to the Plan of Care to facilitate optimal patient and family comfort and support in life limiting illness as indicated.
• Accurately documents and communicates all required information in accordance with agency policies and procedures, accreditation, and all federal and state regulatory requirements, including coding for billing for patient care visits.
• Enhances practice and profession by consistently reading appropriate professional journals, fulfilling CEU’s and other ARNP licensing requirements.
• Maintains and adjusts schedule to enhance team performance and as guided by the Chief Medical Officer or designee.
• Participates in meeting and committee activity as approved.
• Collaborates with Education Department to provide ongoing training for new team members and remedial training as needed and approved
• As direct, collaborates with Quality Improvement to continually evaluate services, processes and to integrate QI activities into the Palliative Care Team.
• Participates in research to improve patient, staff and physician outcomes and knowledge as approved.
• Represents Hospice of Marion County and Its Affiliated Companies in the general and medical community as indicated.
• Adheres to all professional standards of practice for ARNP’s.

AFFILIATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES

To the extent requested by Hospice of Marion County, Inc., pursuant to both the terms of HIPAA and pursuant to written agreement with any of Hospice of Marion County, Inc.’s solely owned limited liability companies shall provide all the previously enumerated Essential Job Responsibilities, Leadership Success Factors, and Strategic Plan Responsibilities, for each or all of the limited liability companies (Florida Palliative Home Care of Lake Marion & Sumter Counties, LLC, SummerField Suites, LLC, and Florida Palliative Equipment, LLC, DBA Accent Medical, and Center for Comprehensive Palliative Care, LLC)

STRATEGIC RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES:

• Participates proactively in improving performance at the individual, departmental and organizational levels.
• Actively sets goals related to the Strategic Challenges and is accountable for meeting goals at annual evaluation.
• Reports to work and meetings at expected times, prepared to work, and adheres to scheduled hours.
• Utilizes work time effectively and completes quality work in prescribed time using appropriate time management skills and resources.
• Provides superior customer service to all internal and external customers.
• Cooperates and functions as a team member within the organization.
• Exhibits flexibility and demonstrates dependability within the organization.
• Demonstrates courtesy and respect when dealing with fellow staff members, volunteers, and customers.
• Demonstrates willingness to accept responsibility and accountability in assigned duties.
• Demonstrates ability to perform job under stressful situations.
• Exhibits exceptional communications skills.
• Complies with policies, procedures and standard practices, including A-1000.
• Represents Hospice of Marion County, Inc. professionally at all times through positive customer interactions, exceptional written and verbal communications and appropriate business attire/ personal appearance.
• Complies with all Federal, State, and local government regulations, maintaining a strong position against fraud and abuse.
• Adheres to all safety and security policies.
• Maintains the confidentiality of patients, families, colleagues, customers, other sensitive situations and adheres to all HIPAA policies.
• Uses resources in a fiscally responsible manner.
• Promotes Hospice of Marion County, Inc. through participation in community and professional organizations.
• Shares expertise with co-workers both formally and informally.
• Understands, adheres to and promotes the Mission, Vision, and Values.
• Participates in orienting new employees, volunteers and students.
• Meets or exceeds Quality Improvement Standards and Standards of Excellence in all areas of practice.
• Remains in the service area during emergencies, and as appropriate and/or as scheduled, to work up to, during, and after the emergency to assist in providing quality care to all patients/clients. If you reside in a mandatory evacuation area and so must evacuate, or if there are any special family needs that need to be accommodated, management must be notified. Management will be sensitive to those needs but must be kept apprised of your location and a source of contact during an emergency so that, if required, they are able to reach you. (See Policy A/HR-510)

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Master’s degree in Nursing with a major or post-masters as a Nurse Practitioner.
• Current license to practice professional nursing in the State of Florida.
• Approval to practice as a Nurse Practitioner by the Florida Board of Nursing and the Florida Board of Medical Examiners.
• Three years experience as a Registered Nurse. Experience in an acute care or skilled nursing required
• Prior Hospice experience to understand the concept of palliative care preferred.
• Must have a valid Florida Driver’s License, maintain current auto insurance coverage and have access to a reliable automobile.
• Skills in fostering positive interpersonal relationships. Ability to accept other cultures and religious standards without imposing personal beliefs. Ability to cope with high levels of stress.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task, handling caseload, stressful situations, and providing caring, compassionate, customer service throughout.
• Ability to operate a facsimile, copy machines, computers and other common office machines, with working knowledge of MS Word, Outlook, Excel and other software appropriate to position.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures and governmental regulations, as well as documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; stand and reach with hands and arms; to talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch.

• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Physical ability to access any home, hospital, Nursing Home, Doctor’s Office, or Assisted Living Facility.
• Ability to communicate with customers and provide feedback.
• Frequent mobility in and out of offices and buildings.
• Frequent use of hands and arms to reach, lift, carry and move objects.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and color vision.
• Possible contact with communicable diseases.
• Frequently works in outside weather conditions.
• Noise level in work environment is usually moderate.