The Hospice Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) provides comprehensive, patient-centered care to individuals with serious, life-limiting illness enrolled in hospice services. The APRN collaborates with the interdisciplinary team (IDT) to ensure high-quality symptom management, goal-concordant care, and support for patients and families across care settings.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Care
Perform comprehensive assessments of hospice patients across home, SNF, and inpatient settings
Manage pain and other distressing symptoms using evidence-based palliative approaches
Develop and implement individualized care plans aligned with patient goals and prognosis
Conduct face-to-face encounters required for hospice eligibility and recertification
Order and interpret diagnostic tests as appropriate to hospice scope
Prescribe, discontinue, and adjust medications, treatments, durable medical equipment (DME), oxygen, and supplies in accordance with state regulations and organizational policies.
Manage controlled substances and comfort medications as clinically appropriate.
Review medication regimens for appropriateness, effectiveness, safety, and alignment with patient goals of care.
Provide medication education to patients, families, caregivers, and staff.
Participate in medication reconciliation and deprescribing initiatives.
Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration
Participate actively in weekly Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) meetings (core expectation in hospice operations) [Re: Lisa D...Carlo APRN | Outlook]
Collaborate with physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other team members
Provide clinical guidance and consultation to field staff
Care Coordination
Communicate effectively with patients, families, and caregivers regarding prognosis and plan of care
Facilitate transitions across care settings (home, hospital, SNF)
Coordinate with primary care and specialty providers to ensure continuity
Regulatory & Documentation
Complete timely and accurate documentation in compliance with CMS hospice regulations
Ensure adherence to hospice Conditions of Participation and organizational policies
Support quality metrics and documentation related to goals of care and advance care planning
On-Call / Coverage (if applicable)
Provide on-call support as assigned, including triage and symptom management guidance
Participate in weekend/holiday coverage models as needed
Skills & Competencies
Advanced symptom management and serious illness communication skills
Ability to work autonomously in community-based settings
Strong collaboration in interdisciplinary care models
Comfort with end-of-life care, goals-of-care discussions, and family support
Qualifications
Graduate of an accredited Nurse Practitioner program
Board-certified APRN (FNP, AGNP, or Adult NP preferred)
Active Connecticut APRN license and prescriptive authority
Minimum 2–3 years of clinical experience (preferred)
Prior experience in hospice, palliative care, geriatrics, or home-based care strongly preferred