Hospice and Palliative Physician

The Hospice and Palliative Care Physician is responsible for working in concert with Hospice of the Chesapeake’s (HOC’s) other Hospice and Palliative Care Physicians, while under the supervision of the Medical Director. In addition, the Hospice and Palliative Care Physician provides expertise in the delivery of hospice and palliative care services through the referral process, admission of the patient, plan of care, and throughout the course of service.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Effectively participates in Quality/Performance Improvement (QI/PI) programs in collaboration with supervisor. Bases QI/PI plan decisions on trends and needs and seeks staff input. Ensures that appropriate tools are in place to achieve QI/PI goals.
• Demonstrates knowledge of regulations, policies and procedures applicable to the practice of hospice and palliative care. Confirms patient eligibility for hospice services in accordance with admission/recertification criteria and per hospice policy. This includes the CTI (certificate of terminal illness) and the attestation statement for each patient admitted under their responsibility.

• Ensures that medical devices are provided in a safe manner and that staff are oriented to and are knowledgeable of hospice-wide and departmental safety policies and procedures.

• Makes home/resident, hospital or HOC facility (i.e. ICC) visits to provide patient/family medical support and consultation to attending physicians and interdisciplinary team. Provides F2F visits for team patients and as assigned. Staff location assignments are based on patient and service need and medical team availability.
• Serves as a liaison with existing and potential sources of referral, including physicians, discharge planners, and third-party payers, by education regarding end-of-life care, hospice capabilities, pain and symptom management.
• Educates the medical community of our service area about the value of hospice and palliative care. Functions as a liaison when appropriate with the medical community by contacting physicians who are new referral sources, arranging visits to the medical staff of service area hospitals and offering programs and materials for physician education and providing consultation to attending physicians in the area of pain management and symptom control.
• Attends and participates in interdisciplinary (IDT) meetings where assigned. Collaborate with the clinical manager to assure IDT meetings are productive and comprehensive in addressing patient/family needs and that efficient participation of all team members is encouraged.
• The Hospice and Palliative Care Physician provides staff education pertinent to specific patient diagnoses and hospice and Supportive Care issues.
• The Hospice and Palliative Care Physician demonstrates the ability to distinguish between billable and administrative visits and codes appropriately. Documentation is submitted within 24 hours of the visit
• Attends and actively participates in appropriate committee meetings at affiliated hospitals/facilities to ensure that hospice and palliative care needs and concerns are communicated and addressed.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited school of medicine or osteopathy. Current Maryland physician’s license required.
• Minimum two years of experience in the practice of medicine required. Experience in a hospice or Supportive Care setting highly desirable.
• Board certified in Hospice and Supportive Care or certification as a Hospice Medical Director within 2-3 years of employment.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the philosophy of hospice care.
• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent customer service philosophy and skills required.
• Current knowledge of management/administration; applicable federal, state, local regulations and statutes governing hospice operations and patient care and adequate professional development to maintain licensure.
• Ability to independently take initiative and exercise good judgment in decision-making.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure and with attention to details and deadlines and to simultaneously handle multiple projects.
• Professional maturity that daily sets the tone in carrying out the responsibilities of the position. High degree of honesty, integrity and confidentiality.
• Demonstrated flexibility and willingness to undertake new responsibilities as assigned. .
• Competency in computer skills, including EMRs.
• Willingness and ability to function as a team player, including working some evenings and weekends if needed to accommodate the needs of the organization.
• Demonstrated understanding of the mission, vision and financial limitations of a non-profit organization.

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