Hospice Nurse Practitioner, PRN as-needed status

Working title: Nurse Practitioner (NP)               

Classification Title: Nurse Practitioner            

Program: Hospice      

FLSA status: Non-Exempt; Hourly: PRN as-needed status, no benefits                            

Reports to: Senior Director

Salary Range: $43.08 per hour to $ 64.61, depending on years of experience and internal equity

RiverStone Health:

Serving the Yellowstone County community and south-central Montana for nearly 50 years, RiverStone Health is an essential provider of personal and public health services. Health, Education, Leadership and Protection – HELP is what we do.  From medical, dental and behavioral healthcare; home care and hospice; public health services like immunizations, WIC, health promotion and restaurant inspections; and educating the next generation of health professionals, our expertise spans all ages and stages of life. 

Underlying principles of access, affordability, compassion and quality in all interactions, RiverStone Health improves life, health and safety for all of the communities we serve.

Hospice Overview: 

The RiverStone Health Hospice Services care for terminally ill patients who want to receive comfort-oriented care rather than continue to seek a cure. Hospice care emphasizes quality of life. Care and grief support services are provided wherever home is. Most hospice patients receive care in their home, or the home of a relative or friend.  Hospice care can also be provided in nursing homes or other facilities.  Working together with patient and family, our team of hospice professionals and volunteers help relieve physical symptoms and decrease psychological, social, emotional, or spiritual distress of patients and their caregivers. Our 24 hour on-call nursing services are available to meet urgent needs.

Job Summary:

Provides general health counseling and treatment for hospice patients. The work is performed under the supervision and direction of the Medical Director, but considerable leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative.

Essential Functions/Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Nurse Practitioner                                                                              95%

• Counsels and educates patients about health issues such as diet, nutrition, emotional and mental health;

• Interventions will be performed for patients in the hospice and palliative setting

• Will work as a member of the interdisciplinary team as applicable to effectively designate processes for meeting the medical, psychosocial and spiritual care needs of the patient;

• Reviews medications patients are taking;

• Understanding of hospice philosophy, principles of death/dying

• May Collect medical specimens and perform several basic medical tests;

• May order medical laboratory tests;

• Evaluates medical test results and interprets them to patients;

• May provide other medical referrals as necessary;

• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems;

• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas;

• Responds to patient’s and family questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;

• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities;

• Performs other directly related duties consistent with the role and function of the classification.

• Completion of recertification assessments and documentation. Recertification assessments must be undertaken at hospice patients’ place of residence and thus will take place in private homes and other care facilities within the RiverStone Health Hospice service area.

• Provides provider call coverage in conjunction with the Hospice Medical Director.

Non-Essential Functions/Other duties as assigned                                        5%

• Perform other duties as assigned in support of RiverStone’s mission and goals.

Education and Experience:

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Nursing; and

• Considerable clinical and/or hospital nursing experience

• Any combination of experience and training which provide the equivalent scope of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with hospice/palliative care

• Knowledge of nursing process and hospice and palliative care regulations preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Certified Nurse Practitioner in the State of Montana

• Must be credentialed and privileged including prescriptive authority

• Valid State of Montana Driver’s License, vehicle and vehicle insurance

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Computer literacy, in Microsoft Office Suite and electronic medical record documentation. Must be willing/able to engage with hospice-specialty electronic medical record and with contracted pharmacy/prescribing platform

• Ability to maintain a calm and positive demeanor during difficult interactions.

• Ability to display non-judgmental and empathetic listening skills.

• High degree of detail-oriented skill level.

• Knowledge and understanding of protected sensitive patient health information (HIPAA) and confidentiality.

• Ability work collaboratively to maintain a positive work environment.

• Ability to prioritize and perform a wide range of tasks under pressure of continuous interruptions.

• Ability to perform job duties with integrity and innovation to ensure completion and a high level of quality.

• Ability to understand and adhere to required administrative policies and procedures.

• Excellent communication skills to ensure efficiencies and quality customer services.

Customer Service Excellence: 

• Doing things right the first time

• Making people feel welcome

• Showing respect for each customer

• Anticipating customer needs and concerns

• Keeping customers informed

• Helping and going the extra mile

• Responding quickly

• Protecting privacy and confidentiality

• Demonstrating proper telephone etiquette

• Taking responsibility for handling complaints

• Being professional

• Taking ownership of your attitude toward Service Excellence.

Supervision: 

• None

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: 

• Constant standing and walking

• Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds

• Risk of needlestick injury is possible. 

• The position is regularly exposed to biological pathogens and contagious diseases where Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and special precautions must be taken due to reduce exposure and mitigate risk.

• Expected to drive a vehicle which requires sitting, seeing and reading signs, traffic signals, other vehicles, etc. Travel occurs in all weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold.

• Create and maintain a safe/secure working environment by adhering to safety, security, and health requirements. Integrates injury, illness, and loss prevention into job activities by attending any necessary training and implementing best practices.

Freedom to Act & Decision Making:

• Work is structured by regulations and established nursing practices. The position makes independent professional judgements regarding patient health.  Decisions directly affect the quality of services provided to the public.

Communications & Networking:

• Contacts occur both inside and outside RiverStone Health and typically are for the purposes of rendering services to patients to gather information and provide education and instruction.

• Communication with others is a critical element of the position because the purpose of the contact may be to negotiate matters involving significant issues of importance.

• Communicate and coordinate with others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interagency operations and activities.

Budget & Resource Management:

Responsible for the maintenance of equipment and management of resources pertaining to the program budget.

Candidates will be contacted via email.

Salary : $65