Position Summary
The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) is seeking a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant to provide palliative care consultative services within a collaborative, interdisciplinary clinical team. This role focuses on delivering patient-centered, goal-concordant care for patients with serious, complex, or life-limiting illness.
The APP will work closely with physicians, nurses, social work, and other members of the care team to support symptom management, goals-of-care discussions, and care coordination across inpatient settings.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide inpatient palliative care consults for hospitalized patients
- Conduct comprehensive patient assessments and symptom evaluations
- Support goals-of-care discussions and advance care planning with patients and families
- Develop and implement individualized symptom management plans
- Collaborate with attending physicians and interdisciplinary teams on care decisions
- Assist with pain and symptom control, including end-of-life care management
- Communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare providers
- Document consults, assessments, and treatment plans in the medical record
- Support continuity of care and appropriate transitions across care settings
- Promote patient comfort, dignity, and quality of life
Qualifications
Required
- Current Maryland Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant license (in good standing)
- DEA, CDS, and NPI registration
- Basic Life Support (BLS-HCP) certification
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification
- Completion of an accredited Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant program
Preferred
- National certification in specialty area
- Master of Science in Nursing (for NP candidates)
- Minimum of 2 years of clinical experience as an NP or PA (preferably in inpatient, surgical, or acute care settings)
- Prior experience in palliative care, hospice, oncology, or complex medical/surgical care
Required Competencies
- Strong communication skills for complex and sensitive conversations
- Ability to work effectively within an interdisciplinary care team
- Clinical judgment in managing complex symptom burden
- Competence in assessing patients across the lifespan
- Strong interpersonal and documentation skills
- Ability to function independently in a high-acuity hospital environment
Technical Skills
- Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Working knowledge of electronic medical records and medical terminology
- Familiarity with clinical documentation standards and coding principles
Work Environment
This role is based in a hospital setting and requires the ability to:
- Walk and stand for extended periods
- Lift or move objects up to 20 pounds
- Push or pull equipment such as stretchers or supply carts
- Perform fine motor tasks and computer-based documentation
- Work in environments with exposure to clinical hazards using appropriate protective equipment
- Communicate effectively in high-stress clinical situations
Additional Information
- The APP works independently while collaborating closely with supervising physicians and the palliative care team
- All employees must maintain licensure, certification, and required hospital competencies
- Compliance with institutional policies, safety standards, and patient confidentiality is required