Position Summary
The Hospice Clinical Liaison/Nurse Practitioner is responsible for modeling the Compassus values of Compassion, Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork, and Innovation and for promoting the Compassus philosophy, using the 6 Pillars of Success as the foundation. S/he is responsible for upholding the Code of Ethical Conduct and for promoting positive working relationships within the company, among all departments, and all external stakeholders. The Hospice Clinical Liaison/Nurse Practitioner is responsible for assisting referral sources in identifying patients with care needs that match the services provided by hospice. Additionally, s/he functions as an extension of the interdisciplinary team (IDT) and hospice physician to provide routine recertification and emergency assessments, educational, and evaluative services to meet the needs of patients and their families. S/he helps the patient and family maintain their maximum level of comfort and coping. S/he flexes schedule to meet agency visit needs and may be asked to provide after-hours emergency visits and/or admissions.
Position Specific Responsibilities
Hospice Clinical Liaison Responsibilities:
- Attends and participates in staff meetings, educational programs, and community events, as requested.
- Communicates identified needs and potential solutions to the Supervisor.
- Explains hospice services and benefits to patients, family members, and significant others in a manner that facilitates an accurate and positive view of hospice services.
- Obtains signatures on all required forms and provides copies to patient/responsible party.
- Ensures all forms are completed, dated, signed, and turned in to the Admission Coordinator.
- Ensures all available medical records are turned in to the Admission Coordinator.
- Establishes and maintains significant professional relationships.
- Works closely with community, hospital, and facility education representatives to meet growth and development targets and maintain market acceptance and allegiance.
- Facilitates the admission process to and from hospital and long-term care-based referral sources.
- Assesses referred patient’s clinical needs and disease status and confers with patient’s attending physician and hospice physician regarding assessment to establish eligibility.
- Facilitates patient discharge from hospital to home by establishing initial needs and coordinating transportation, DME, medication needs, supplies, and admission by a home hospice nurse.
- Oversees GIP patient admission process based on identified symptom management needs for that level of care.
- Works closely with facilities and hospitals to identify, transition, and admit patients appropriately for general inpatient services.
- Provides education to hospitals and facilities on the purpose, process, and goal of general inpatient care.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Hospice Nurse Practitioner Responsibilities:
- Completes routine and emergency recertification visits on each patient entering their 3rd benefit period or beyond (including admissions and transfers).
- Records observations, treatments, and other pertinent information.
- Communicates with the Medical Director, Attending Physician, Hospice Director of Clinical Services (DCS), and IDT as directed regarding findings from the visits and any measures to alleviate symptoms.
- Provides physical and emotional care to support the patient and family in the period of crisis.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Education and/or Experience
- Master’s degree in Nursing required.
- Minimum of one (1) year of nursing practice or equivalent experience required; hospice, oncology, or home health and/or long-term care preferred.
- At least two (2) years of experience as a Clinical Liaison, or similar role, required.
- Experience in healthcare marketing preferred.
Skills
- Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentage.
- Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from leaders, team members, investors, and external parties. Strong written and verbal communications.
- Other Skills and Abilities: Ability to understand, read, write, and speak English. Articulates and embraces hospice philosophy.
Certifications, Licenses, and Registrations
- Active and unencumbered CNS or Nurse Practitioner license in state of employment required.
- Certified as a Nurse Practitioner in Adult, Family, Acute, or Geriatric required.
- Active NPI number required.
- Maintain active DEA certification if the state allows the prescription of controlled substances by APPs required.
- Board certification in Hospice and Palliative Care preferred, but not required.
State Specific Requirements
Other
- All states except Iowa: Current collaborative physician agreement in place.
Physical Demands and Work Environment: The demands of this role necessitate a team member to effectively perform essential functions. Adaptations can be made to accommodate team members with disabilities. Regular standing, walking, and manual dexterity are fundamental, along with the ability to lift and move objects up to 50 pounds. Visual acuity requirements include close and distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. In a healthcare setting, exposure to bodily fluids, infectious diseases, and conditions typical to the field is expected. Routine use of standard medical equipment and tools associated with clinical care is essential. This description provides a general overview and may vary by role and department, capturing the nuanced demands and conditions inherent to clinical positions in our organization.
