Advanced Practice Professional; NP Geriatric and Palliative Medicine

Advanced Practice Professional (NP) Geriatric and Palliative Medicine

This is an Advanced Practice Professional (APP) job opening.
Both qualified NP and PA applicants will be considered.

NPs are directed to apply to job # 280375and PAs are directed to apply to job # 280376

A total of one(1), 1.0

FTE, Advanced Practice Professional(either NP or PA) will be hired to fill this job opening.

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY

Palliative Care is a specialized area of healthcare that focuses on relieving and preventing the suffering of patients. Palliative medicine is appropriate for patients in all disease stages, including those undergoing treatment for curable illnesses and those living with chronic diseases, as well as patients who are nearing the end of life. Palliative medicine utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to patient care, relying on input from physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, pharmacists and other allied health professionals in formulating a plan of care to relieve suffering in all areas of a patient's life.

This interdisciplinary approach allows the palliative care team to address physical, emotional, spiritual, and social concerns that arise with advanced illness.

In general, day to day responsibilities will include
1) providing oversight of direct patient care in inpatient beds dedicated to palliative care, and
2) providing full consultative services when needed, both of which will be in collaboration with an assigned physician.

Palliative Care Inpatient Beds (PCIB):
This will include managing patients consistent with the collaborative practice agreement, to assess, diagnose and treat health problems associated with uncontrolled symptoms due to a life-limiting illness and/or end of life care that requires expert palliative care management. This will also include, exercising autonomy in medical decision-making and provide a moderate range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. Patients will be general floor care status, accommodating needs for telemetry monitoring, opiate infusions via secured pumps, high flow supplemental oxygen, stable BiPAP settings, palliative weaning of inotropes or LVAD discontinuation with guidance from the Cardiology service and nursing.

While patients receiving symptom management may be full code, all end of life patients receiving comfort care must be DNAR, as is the policy in the rest of the institution. Evaluation from the Palliative Care Team will determine if PCIB admission is appropriate, based on bed availability.

Inpatient Consultation:
This will include evaluating for medical needs surrounding life-limiting illness and/or end of life care which may include symptom management as well as clarification of goals. Many of our patients are approaching death and this position requires the ability to be present with patients and loved ones during times of strong emotion. Through empathetic communication, we help guide patients through determination of goals, redefining hope, reconciliation or other needs as deemed important to them as individuals.

Symptom management may require appropriate prescribing of medications and use of complimentary therapies.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Perform health assessments including patient history, physical examinations, diagnostic tests and appropriate interventions or referrals.
Document patient care and progress, and maintain complete and detailed patient records.
Serve as a preceptor for NP/PA students and fellows.
Participate in the development of policies, procedures and protocols including standards of care.
Present workshops, lectures and in-service programs.
Participate in research projects.

RELATED DUTIES
Perform other related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED
May exercise functional supervision over support staff.

NP Required Qualifications

• Current licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner specialty certification in the State of Michigan.
• Current specialty certification to practice as an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner
• Graduate of an accredited Nurse Practitioner program or who has successfully completed all required Nurse Practitioner program coursework at an accredited Nurse Practitioner program to qualify to take their specialty certification exam.
• Certification as a Nurse Practitioner recognized by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
• Current DEA registration required
• AHA approved BLS…