Position Summary: Works collaboratively with the palliative care team with Adventist HealthCare and Montgomery Hospice, Inc (Palliative Medicine Consultants) to deliver quality palliative care. 50% of this position requires in-patient, and the other 50% will follow patients in the community the other 50% of the time. Responsible for in-person and virtual palliative care assessment of patient and families, referrals to interdisciplinary team as appropriate, making recommendations to staff nurses and physicians on the plan of care, and assists with obtaining information to help support patients and families with life-limiting or life-threatening illnesses. Collaborates with providers across disciplines to ensure patient's goals are being followed. Provides education about palliative care and end-of-life issues to staff, physicians, patients and families. Ensures that referrals to the palliative care team are handled in a timely manner. Documents assessment, care provided, and recommendations. Assists Cancer Services Director and Palliative Care Medical Director, Palliative Medicine Consultants with the development, implementation and analysis of the program.
Qualifications:
• Master's degree as a nurse practitioner or a completed post master's certificate as a nurse practitioner.
• Current Maryland license as a nurse practitioner, or eligible for Maryland RN licensure.
• Certified Palliative Nurse preferred or willingness to apply within one year.
• Minimum 3-5 years of relevant clinical experience required. Palliative care experience preferred.
• Excellent teaching skills, consultation skills, and patient and family care skills.
• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities, maintain flexibility in work responsibilities.
• Strong interpersonal skills; effective oral and written communication skills.
• Strong clinical assessment skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and as a member of team.
• Ability to establish/maintain rapport and work collaboratively with physicians and other healthcare providers.
• Demonstrates understanding of and commitment to the organization's mission and values.
• Driver's license and private means of transportation, and proof of insurance.
• Active NPI, DEA numbers required for prescribing. Enrollment in Medicare and Maryland Medicaid preferred. Eligibility to participate with Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers is required for billing.
• Ability to learn and utilize an Electronic medical record system, a telehealth platform, and an electronic prescribing system - for both Adventist HealthCare and Palliative Medicine Consultants.

Work Schedule:

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Performs bedside palliative care evaluation of patient and family. Uses data from assessment to plan and intervene in symptom management.

• Demonstrates the use of effective verbal, non-verbal, and written communication with patients, families, and members of the healthcare team to address and convey the palliative care needs of patients and families. Recognizes one's own attitudes, feelings, values, and expectations about serious illness and the individual, cultural, and spiritual diversity affecting these beliefs and customs.

• Demonstrates critical thinking, analysis and clinical judgment to address the physical, emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of the patients and families.

• Incorporates ethical principles and professional standards in the care of patients and families experiencing life-limiting, progressive illnesses as well as identifying and advocating for the wishes and preferences of patients and families.

• Facilitates clarification of goals of care with patient and family in pursuit of optimal models of patient and family care.

• Works across systems in developing education and providing palliative care training and continuing education for providers across disciplines.

• Assists in development of clinical practice guidelines/standards in support of quality palliative care.

• Actively participates in patient rounds, palliative care team meetings, cancer conferences, and discharge planning as appropriate to support and facilitate care of patients and families.

• Prepares and maintains accurate patient records, charts, and documents to support the medical practice and reimbursement for services provided. Tracks palliative care metrics as indicated.

• Demonstrates working knowledge of palliative care. Develops professional knowledge base and maintains affiliation with professional palliative care organization. Utilizes and demonstrates awareness of community and national palliative care organizations and resources.

• Develops and maintains relationships with physicians and other providers; acts as a liaison and facilitates communication regarding plan of care and palliative care services. Assures referral to palliative team is built into to care plan/process utilized by physicians, and determines areas for improvement in communication and referrals.

• Tracks various metrics measuring the impact and efficacy of the Palliative Care program. Assists in the presentation of metrics to medical staff and hospital administration.

• Provide assessment and follow up to patients in the community by home or virtual visits.

• Participate in IDG and Admin meetings at Palliative Medicine Consultants, as scheduled.

• Collaborate and discuss community clinical cases with physicians and other clinical providers regularly.

Working Conditions:

• Flexible work schedule
• Atmosphere and environment associated with clinical patient care
• Ability to meet expected deadlines
• Light physical effort; occasional walking, bending, lifting, stooping, kneeling, crouching
• Frequent use of office machines including computer, multi-line telephone, fax machine, and copier
• Frequent computer work involving focused concentration
• Attend new employee orientation with Montgomery Hospice, Inc., for two-weeks.

COVID-19 Vaccination

Adventist HealthCare requires all applicants to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before commencing employment. Applicants may be required to furnish proof of vaccination and , if offered, may elect to be vaccinated at a n designated Adventist HealthCare location.

Tobacco and Drug Statement

Tobacco use is a well-recognized preventable cause of death in the United States and an important public health issue. In order to promote and maintain a healthy work environment, Adventist HealthCare will not hire applicants for employment who either state that they are nicotine users or who test positive for nicotine and drug use.

While some jurisdictions, including Maryland, permit the use of marijuana for medical purposes, marijuana continues to be classified as an illegal drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act. As a result, medical marijuana use will not be accepted as a valid explanation for a positive drug test result.

Adventist HealthCare will withdraw offers of employment to applicants who test positive for Cotinine (nicotine) and marijuana. Those testing positive are given the opportunity to re-apply in 90 days, if they can truthfully attest that they have not used any nicotine products in the past ninety (90) days and successfully pass follow-up testing.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Adventist HealthCare is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We are committed to attracting, engaging, and developing the best people to cultivate our mission-centric culture. Our goal is to have a welcoming, equitable, and safe place to work and grow for all employees, no matter their background. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Adventist HealthCare will make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities, in accordance with applicable law. Adventist HealthCare is a religious organization as defined under applicable law; however, it will endeavor to provide reasonable accommodations for applicants' religious beliefs.

Applicants who wish to request accommodations for disabilities or religious belief should contact the Support Center HR Office.