Hospice/Palliative Medicine Nurse Practitioner

Advanced Practitioner Fellow (Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant)

St. Luke's is proud of the skills, experience, and compassion of its employees. The employees of St. Luke's are our most valuable asset! Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization, which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses, and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient's ability to pay for health care.

The Advanced Practitioner Fellow participates in a 12-month post-graduate advanced practice fellowship program in the specialty of palliative care. During this fellowship program, the Advanced Practitioner Fellow is responsible for providing healthcare services to patients under the supervision of, and/or in collaboration with, the attending physician. These services include, but are not limited to, medical evaluation, treatment, counseling, and referrals. The advanced practitioner fellow role consists of diagnostic evaluations, therapeutic recommendations, and pharmaceutical prescriptions. In addition, the advanced practitioner fellow is responsible for successfully completing all program requirements, required rotations, meeting program progression standards, and standards to successfully complete the program. The typical length of the program is 12 months.

Job Description

• Competence in the assessment, treatment, counseling, and education of the patient and their families being provided medical services.
• Competence in evaluating patients and performing physical examinations including obtaining, documenting, and updating medical histories.
• Demonstrates ability to determine abnormal conditions by administering or ordering diagnostic tests, such as radiologic and laboratory studies, followed by accurately interpreting test results.
• Evaluates, develops, and implements appropriate patient management and treatment plans based on patient needs.
• Coordinates and communicates patient care effectively with other healthcare professionals and institutions in order to meet the patient’s healthcare needs.
• Provides high-quality health care based on best practice and/or evidence-based medicine.
• Performs therapeutic and diagnostic procedures as appropriate and aligned with granted clinical privileges.
• Provides initial and ongoing care of the critically ill patient.
• As requested, conduct virtual care services as live and interactive clinical assessments, diagnosis, and treatment of patients via St. Luke’s virtual care platform, assisting in care coordination and/or escalation of care as appropriate.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies. Maintains required continuing medical education.
• Participates in the research, development, implementation, and tracking of clinical management guidelines.
• Participates in the teaching of multidisciplinary students (nursing, nurse practitioner, pharmacy, physician assistant, medical, etc.) and physician residents & fellows, ensuring a positive educational environment.
• Participates in AP student clinical rotation preceptorship when assigned.
• Demonstrates performance improvement in the following areas as appropriate: clinical care/outcomes, customer/service improvement, operational system/process, and safety.
• Competent in utilizing electronic medical records, remains current with medical record documentation, and provides documentation that is optimal for billing provided professional services.
• Demonstrates financial responsibility and accountability through the effective and efficient use of resources in daily procedures, processes, and practices.
• Develops care and disposition plans in conjunction with the case management team.
• Follows guidelines as set forth in the Advanced Practitioner Fellowship Manual.

Work Schedule

Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM with various nights/weekends/holidays for call coverage.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

Sit up to 8 hours per day; 3 hours at a time. Stand for up to 8 hours per day; 8 hours at a time. Walking for up to 6 hours per day. Frequently lifting, carrying, and pushing objects up to 10 pounds. Rarely lifting, carrying, and pushing objects up to 75 pounds. Frequently stooping and bending. Frequently reaching above shoulder level. Frequently handling, firm grasping, and twisting & turning as it relates to performing procedures. Must be able to perceive attributes of an object through touch. Must be able to hear as it relates to normal conversation, high and low frequencies. Must be able to see as it relates to general, near, far, color, and peripheral vision. Must be able to speak as it relates to normal conversation and projection as it relates to lectures and presentations.

Education

Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner or Certified Physician Assistant with current license to practice in the state of Pennsylvania. Physician Assistants must have a current certification through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners must have a current certification through American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

Training and Experience

Experience desired, preferably in critical care, trauma, emergency medicine, and/or acute care setting.