Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner Onboarding Checklist

Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner Onboarding Process

Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Healthcare onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.

Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner Onboarding Checklist

1. Orientation: The new Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner attends a comprehensive orientation program that introduces them to the organization’s mission, values, policies, and procedures. This task is typically performed by the Human Resources department or a designated orientation coordinator.

2. Introduction to the Palliative Care Team: The new nurse practitioner is introduced to the interdisciplinary palliative care team, including physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other healthcare professionals. This task is usually performed by the palliative care team leader or a designated mentor.

3. Review of Policies and Procedures: The new nurse practitioner reviews the organization’s policies and procedures related to palliative care, including pain management protocols, end-of-life care guidelines, and documentation requirements. This task is typically performed by the palliative care team leader or a designated preceptor.

4. Training on Electronic Health Records (EHR): The new nurse practitioner receives training on the organization’s EHR system, including how to document patient assessments, create care plans, and order medications. This task is usually performed by the organization’s IT department or a designated EHR trainer.

5. Familiarization with Palliative Care Documentation Tools: The new nurse practitioner becomes familiar with the specific documentation tools used in palliative care, such as pain assessment scales, symptom management protocols, and advance care planning forms. This task is typically performed by the palliative care team leader or a designated preceptor.

6. Shadowing Experienced Palliative Care Nurse Practitioners: The new nurse practitioner shadows experienced palliative care nurse practitioners to observe their clinical practice, communication skills, and interdisciplinary collaboration. This task is usually coordinated by the palliative care team leader or a designated mentor.

7. Review of Palliative Care Policies and Guidelines: The new nurse practitioner reviews the organization’s palliative care policies and guidelines, including those related to pain management, symptom control, psychosocial support, and ethical considerations. This task is typically performed by the palliative care team leader or a designated preceptor.

8. Education on Palliative Care Principles and Philosophy: The new nurse practitioner receives education on the principles and philosophy of palliative care, including the focus on holistic patient-centered care, symptom management, and quality of life enhancement. This task is usually performed by the palliative care team leader or a designated educator.

9. Training on Communication Skills: The new nurse practitioner undergoes training on effective communication skills in palliative care, including breaking bad news, discussing goals of care, and facilitating difficult conversations with patients and their families. This task is typically performed by the palliative care team leader or a designated communication skills trainer.

10. Introduction to Palliative Care Resources: The new nurse practitioner is introduced to the various resources available in palliative care, such as support groups, bereavement services, community organizations, and educational materials. This task is typically performed by the palliative care team leader or a designated resource coordinator.

11. Review of Palliative Care Research and Evidence-Based Practice: The new nurse practitioner reviews current research and evidence-based practice guidelines in palliative care to stay updated on the latest advancements and best practices. This task is usually performed by the palliative care team leader or a designated research coordinator.

12. Collaboration with Other Departments: The new nurse practitioner collaborates with other departments within the organization, such as pharmacy, radiology, and laboratory, to ensure seamless coordination of patient care. This task is typically performed through meetings and communication with department heads or designated liaisons.

13. Participation in Interdisciplinary Team Meetings: The new nurse practitioner actively participates in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient cases, develop care plans, and ensure effective communication and collaboration among team members. This task is typically coordinated by the palliative care team leader or a designated meeting facilitator.

14. Continuing Education and Professional Development: The new nurse practitioner engages in ongoing continuing education and professional development activities, such as attending conferences, workshops, and webinars, to enhance their knowledge and skills in palliative care. This task is typically self-directed, with support from the organization in terms of funding and time off.

15. Performance Evaluation and Feedback: The new nurse practitioner undergoes regular performance evaluations and receives constructive feedback from the palliative care team leader or designated supervisors to support their professional growth and development. This task is typically performed by the palliative care team leader or a designated performance evaluator.

16. Compliance with Regulatory Requirements: The new nurse practitioner ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements, such as maintaining licensure, completing mandatory trainings, and adhering to professional standards of practice. This task is typically the responsibility of the nurse practitioner themselves, with support from the organization’s compliance department.

17. Building Relationships with Patients and Families: The new nurse practitioner focuses on building therapeutic relationships with patients and their families, demonstrating empathy, active listening, and providing emotional support throughout the palliative care journey. This task is performed by the nurse practitioner themselves, with guidance from the palliative care team leader or a designated mentor.

18. Participation in Quality Improvement Initiatives: The new nurse practitioner actively participates in quality improvement initiatives within the palliative care department, such as conducting audits, implementing evidence-based practices, and monitoring patient outcomes. This task is typically coordinated by the palliative care team leader or a designated quality improvement coordinator.

19. Collaboration with Community Partners: The new nurse practitioner collaborates with community partners, such as hospices, home health agencies, and long-term care facilities, to ensure continuity of care and facilitate appropriate transitions for patients. This task is performed by the nurse practitioner themselves, with support from the palliative care team leader or a designated community liaison.

20. Self-Care and Well-being: The new nurse practitioner prioritizes self-care and well-being to prevent burnout and maintain personal resilience in the demanding field of palliative care. This task is the responsibility of the nurse practitioner themselves, with support from the organization in terms of promoting work-life balance and providing access to employee assistance programs

Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process

From reading through the items in the example Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner up to speed and working well in your Healthcare team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.