The Nurse Practitioner provides consultation services for pain and symptom management in the inpatient setting as well as home health department. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES * Identifies, evaluates, and addresses palliative care needs for patients and families. * Works in an independent and interdependent relationship with members of the medical staff, which allows for consultation, collaboration, or referral. * Educates patients, families and interdisciplinary team on medical issues and the use of prescribed medical treatment and /or medications. * Performs physical and psychosocial assessments by means of interview, health history, physical examination and diagnostic tests. Provides recommendations to the patient, family and health care team on treatment options and support services. * Records physical findings and formulates pain management plan and prognosis based on patient’s condition. * Performs marketing duties to promote growth of the palliative care program. * Provides back up coverage to hospice medical director on an as needed basis and only with director approval. For vacations and days off. * Orders, interprets, and evaluates diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient’s clinical problems and health care needs. * Responds to requests for patient assessments. * Works collaboratively with home health managers/staff on consultation basis to support patients either in the palliative care program or those considering enrollment. * Assists with patients who are considering hospice placement. * Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively and professionally with healthcare providers. * Performs scheduled visits in accordance with productivity guidelines. * Informs management of issues, which require further exploration. * Participates in and supports the Continuous Quality Improvement Program. * Attends and participates in home health staff meetings, IDT meetings, activities, programs, mandatory in-services and continuing education classes. * Attends and participates in inter-disciplinary clinical conferences. * Contributes to effective consumer relations by assisting patients, families, coworkers and other health care members to resolve expressed concerns through the utilization of a positive and helpful attitude. * Maintains own education needs as determined by the Michigan Board of Nursing. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED * Master's degree from an accredited school of Nursing * Licensed to practice in the state as a Nurse Practitioner * Possess a valid Standards of Care Arrangement agreement (Collaborative Practice Agreement). QUALIFICATIONS PREFERRED * Certification by a National Body (ANCC, NBCHPN, AANP) for advanced practice ACHPN preferred.