Masonicare Home Health & Hospice - Norwich, CT

Pay-Per-Visit 

The APRN works with the Hospice Medical Director to gather, document, and share clinical findings to determine continued hospice eligibility. The Hospice APRN will perform the fact to face encounters for hospice patients 30 days prior to the start of the 3rd benefit period (180-day recertification) and then again every 60 days thereafter.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1.  Work with Hospice Medical Director and the Hospice Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) to ensure the provision of physical, emotional, spiritual, social and bereavement care to Hospice patients and their families. 

2.   Assists in determining the patient's medical eligibility for Hospice services by visiting the patient and performing a fact to face encounter up to 30 days prior to the 180-day recertification and then again up to 30 days prior to every 60-day recertification thereafter.

3.  Complete an attestation in writing documenting that he or she had the face to face encounter, the date of the visit, the clinical findings supporting the ongoing eligibility for Hospice services, and the fact these clinical findings were provided to the certifying physician prior to the recertification period. 

4. Acts as a medical resource and works in cooperation with the IDT to develop and update care plans for Hospice patients. 

5. Acts as a resource to attending physicians, staff, patients and families as requested regarding pain and other symptom management to assure the patient/family needs are met. 

6. Attends team meetings to provide consultation and direction as needed. 

7. Participates in educational programs in the community and within the agency as able and may act as a medical liaison with physicians in the community.

8. Communicates effectively and tactfully with patients, recognizing their age, cultural diversity, needs, abilities and physical condition. 

9. Can be depended upon to report to work on-time, use time off appropriately, and complete annual education & medical requirements. 

10. Performs other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:                  

Experience:      Extensive and current knowledge and ability to apply Hospice concepts and philosophies to patient/family care required.    

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Current NP/APRN Connecticut and/or RI state license.  

Other:              Possess reliable transportation (Exception: Employees who utilize public transportation—Supervisory approval required). Maintains collaborative agreement with Hospice Medical Directors.    Completes 1 hour RI approved Alzheimer’s CME Education (See licensing website for list).