Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Must be legally licensed to practice medicine in North Dakota and/or Minnesota, depending on the location of the practice to which you are assigned
Position Summary
The Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner provides comprehensive, patient-centered care focused on symptom management, quality of life, and support for patients with serious or life-limiting illnesses. This role works collaboratively with physicians and an interdisciplinary palliative care team to address physical, emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual needs across the continuum of care.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Evaluate and manage patients with serious, chronic, or life-limiting illnesses in inpatient, outpatient, or community settings
- Provide expert management of complex symptoms including pain, dyspnea, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and delirium
- Conduct goals-of-care discussions, advance care planning, and code status conversations
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members including physicians, nursing, social work, chaplaincy, and case management
- Provide palliative care consultations to primary and specialty teams
- Assist with care coordination and transitions, including hospice referral when appropriate
- Educate patients and families regarding illness trajectory, treatment options, and supportive care strategies
- Document patient encounters accurately and in a timely manner
- Participate in quality improvement, patient safety, and program development initiatives
- Precept or mentor students or trainees as applicable
- Comply with all regulatory, accreditation, and professional standards
Qualifications
- Graduate of an accredited Nurse Practitioner program
- Current Nurse Practitioner certification and licensure in the applicable state
- Eligibility for hospital credentialing and privileging
- DEA registration or eligibility
- Prior experience or formal training in palliative care or hospice preferred
Skills and Competencies
- Expertise in symptom assessment and management
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to facilitate sensitive and complex conversations
- Compassionate, patient- and family-centered approach
- Ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary teams
- Strong clinical judgment and organizational skills
Work Environment
- Hospital inpatient units, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, or home-based care settings
- Schedule may include weekdays, weekends, or limited call coverage depending on program structure
Physical Requirements
- Ability to sit, stand, and move throughout clinical environments
- Manual dexterity for clinical examinations and documentation
- Visual and auditory acuity sufficient for patient assessment
Requirements
Must maintain state certification and/or licensure.