Provides clinical leadership and instruction to the members of the interdisciplinary team in provision of hospice care to patient/families in accordance with VNSNY philosophy and standards of nursing practice in relation to VNSNY goals and objectives. Works in collaboration with hospice physicians and other hospice team members to develop and implement policies and clinical protocols for a specialty program within Hospice. Demonstrates knowledge and commitment to excellence in clinical practice and customer service. Works under general direction.
Responsibilities
Develops policies, standards and protocols for the application of evidence-based practice for a specialty program such as wound care, cardiac, oncology, etc.; evaluates impact on clinical outcomes.
Supports the integration of evidence-based care practices for a specialty program into protocols/policies, consultation strategies, staff development plans, continuous quality improvement initiatives and research.
Ensures specialty programs address patient needs. Establishes and communicates protocols and standards of care for a cultural and demographic diverse patient population; provides intervention guidelines based on these population health needs.
Evaluates clinical outcomes data and analyzes nursing practice patterns to promote organizational responses that meet the needs of the patients.
Leverages clinical expertise to collaborate with team physicians and provide additional program-specific education to families around patient needs, plans of care, and service.
Reviews patient history and medication information for admissions within specialty program; identifies complexities and liaises with patient's specialty physicians regarding treatment. Alerts assigned RN regarding potential changes in condition based on these complexities.
Performs ongoing review of complex cases within specialty program to proactively identify potential gaps or opportunities for improved medical management, such as medical supply utilization, needed revision to plan of care, maximizing patient comfort, etc.
Reviews necessity for and utilization of medical supplies by specialty program to ensure care needs are met and cost effectiveness.
Collaborates with Clinical Learning and Development staff in the development and implementation of program specific education programs based on evidence-based guidelines and reimbursement regulations. Prepares practice tools/learning materials and other development strategies to improve practice.
Participates in developing and delivering continuing education programs for clinical staff regarding newly established/revised program specific clinical protocols for effective patient care services.
Collaborates with Business Development for outreach and education to the community and community-based healthcare providers regarding the benefits of end-of-life care services for specialty programs.
Acts as subject matter expert in specialty program and provides guidance to new/current employees and MD/NP fellows for complex care management situations.
Educates, mentors, coaches and develops clinical staff and integrates specialty program illness management expertise into practice to improve quality of care.
Participates in performance reviews of all team members, through dialogue with program management. Provides ongoing feedback and collaborates with program management regarding disciplinary action, up to and including termination, when necessary.
Provides leadership to members of the interdisciplinary team. Acts as a subject matter expert to clinical staff in the assessment and treatment of complex patient situations.
Provides Palliative Care Consultations to patients/families within program specialties as necessary to support other clinical staff.
Evaluates staff practice patterns on an individual and team level to identify gaps and improve communication skills and clinical practice.
Provides back-up support for F2F visits when necessary for certification at admission to the Hospice Program and re-certification at specified intervals for continued service in the program. Completes certification of death.
Provides on-call coverage, as needed.
Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Licensure: Licensed and currently registered to practice as Nurse Practitioner in New York State required. DEA license required. Valid driver's license may be required, as determined by operational/regional needs.
Education: Master's Degree in Nursing required.
Experience: Minimum of five years clinical nursing experience including two years in the specialty of advanced illness management, oncology, cardiology, wound care, palliative care and/or hospice required. Minimum of two years as a Nurse Practitioner preferred. Demonstrated knowledge of symptom management, understanding of end of life issues with appropriate interventions, and understanding of the impact of cultural background on illness management required. Demonstrated knowledge of home care and/or hospice services and regulations, Title XXII, Medicare Conditions of Participation, JCAHO home health and/or hospice accreditation requirements, QI outcomes/benchmarking, infection control, reimbursement patterns for Medicare and other payers, and budget and other financial reporting required. Experience in a community health setting, conducting professional presentations and writing for professional publications preferred.
