Nurse Practitioner - Advanced Illness Management

Empatia is a member of the Gentiva family - an industry leader in hospice, palliative, home health, and personal home care. Our place is by the side of those who need us, offering physical, spiritual and emotional support to patients and their families so they may make the most of every moment. We believe that better care for caregivers and clinicians means better care for everyone, so we offer ongoing professional training, lower nurse-to-patient ratios, and comprehensive benefits for eligible employees. Here, you’ll join gifted colleagues who make a lasting difference in people’s lives every day.

We are opening a new Palliative Care Advanced Illness Management branch in Lufkin! 

Join us to make a difference when life matters most

We believe every day is an opportunity to make care more personal and life more comfortable. That’s why we offer personal care, palliative care and hospice to give people the care they need with dignity, grace, and love. 

The Nurse Practitioner Advanced Illness Management (AIM) facilitates advanced illness management and palliative care for Empatia patients, ensuring a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan, while demonstrating excellent clinical skills and ethical, relevant judgment.  Provides diagnosis, treatment, consultation, and follow-up under the direction of the Palliative Medical Director or Primary Care physician.

As a Nurse Practitioner, you will:

• Work in collaboration with the Professional Services Corporation (PSC) Physician or supervising physician, Primary Care Physician, and other palliative team members to deliver advanced illness management and palliative care by providing diagnosis, treatment and follow-up for patients referred to Empatia.
• Take responsibility for advanced illness management from the initial assessment through discharge. Assessment at a minimum should include:  disease-specific changes, decline or change in function, nutrition and/or cognition, inadequately controlled pain or other distressing symptoms, falls, infections or similar events, the impact of the disease burden on the patient's condition, caregiver and/or family's quality of life.
• Establish the plan of care, individualized for each patient, in consultation with the patient, family and other members of the Advanced Illness team, to include the PCP.
• Facilitate obtaining care for patient when a need is identified in accordance with the Plan of Care.
• Participates in evening/weekend call as required, conducting on-call services in a clinically competent and responsive manner.
• Prescribe medications including controlled substances to the extent delegated and licensed, in accordance with state law. Order and interpret laboratory, imaging and other diagnostic tests within the scope of professional practice. Order treatments and durable medical equipment as indicated.
• Communicate clinical findings to the PSC Physician as needed, but no less than bi-weekly. Re-assess effectiveness of care plan on a regular basis and modify as needed.
• Maintain effective working relationships with supportive care team (e.g., Social Worker and RN Care Manager), as applicable, and involve team (internally and externally) when patient's care plan warrants team participation to achieve desired outcome.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Communicate and document clinical findings, treatment plan, and care provided in the patient's medical record in a manner consistent with acceptable standards in order to support sound medical practice and reimbursement for services provided.
• Knowledgeable of Palliative Medicine Quality Measures collection, documentation and reporting.

Nurse Practitioner Requirements:

Specialized Knowledge/Skills:

• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Independent decision making and self-motivation.
• Working knowledge or understanding of: principles of Palliative Medicine, including when a patient may be appropriate for home health or hospice care; Medicare/Medicaid regulations; and interdisciplinary process; value based and/or accountable organization requirements
• Meets mandatory continuing education requirements of Gentiva and licensing board.
• Must be able to work efficiently with electronic medical record software.

Education/Experience:

• Minimum of Masters of Science in Nursing from an accredited school of nursing, or an equivalent as allowed under state law
• Minimum of two years Nurse Practitioner experience
• Nurse Practitioner specialty in Family or Adult Medicine preferred
• Value Based Care practice experience preferred
• Practice experience with Part B billing
• Able to work autonomously in an Advanced Practice Role

Licenses/Certifications/Agreements:

• Current license as a registered nurse or equivalent as required by state law for Nurse Practitioner licensure
• Current Nurse Practitioner certification/license
• Collaborative agreement with a supervising physician, that is part of the Professional Services Corporation, that is agreeable to supervise work in advanced illness management and palliative care program, as required by state law
• Part B Provider certification
• Federal DEA license
• State DEA license (if required)
• ACHPN – Certification in Hospice and Palliative Care Preferred
• Current automobile insurance and valid driver’s license

As a Nurse Practitioner, you will be eligible for:

• Competitive Pay
• Medical, Dental, Vision Plans
• Wellness Program and Resources including:
• A dedicated Accolade Care Coordinator for personalized care management support of all your healthcare needs
• Telemedicine Program
• Type 2 Diabetes Management Program via Virta Health
• A complete Joint and Spine Program with concierge services via Nimble Orthopedics
• Generous Paid Time Off (plan increases with tenure) and 7 paid holidays
• Pre-tax FSA and HSA plans (HSA w/company contributions)
• 401(k) with company matching contributions
• Career growth opportunities available at both the branch and corporate levels
• One on One Onboarding Program
• Free Continuing Education Units
• Tuition Program that includes:
• Access to 280+ program at 25+ learning partners
• Programs at every education level from ASN to BSN or BSN to MSN
• Online classes with flexible start dates
• Tuition reimbursement
• Company paid life and long-term disability insurance
• Voluntary long-term care, critical illness, accident insurance, and pet insurance
• Local and national award programs
• Referral bonus program
• Mileage reimbursement or Fleet Program
• Financial assistance program supporting teammates in times of need

• This is a safety-sensitive position
• Employee must meet minimum requirements to be eligible for benefits
• Where applicable, employee must meet state specific requirements
• We are proud to be an EEO employer
• We maintain a drug-free workplace