Medical Director

Responsibilities

• Participates in the planning and development of the patient/family plan of care and manages oversight of medications and treatment.
• Certifies and recertifies that the patient meets the medical criteria for admission and re‑certification for the hospice program, based on available prognostic/diagnostic indicators, related diagnoses, current subjective and objective medical findings, current medication and treatment orders, and information about medical management of any of the patient’s conditions.
• Acts as a medical resource for the hospice interdisciplinary team, patients, families, and attending physician.
• Complements attending physician care and collaborates to develop and update the patient plan of care. If the attending physician is unavailable, the medical director is responsible for meeting the patient’s medical needs.
• Provides twenty‑four hour availability of physician coverage, assures overall continuity of hospice medical services, and provides oversight of physician services.
• Assures and collaborates with the patient’s attending physician on pain control and symptom management to control uncomfortable symptoms.
• Coordinates efforts with the attending physician to provide direct medical care if the physician is unable/unavailable.
• Supervises all contract hospice physicians.
• Conducts home visits to hospice patients on a consulting basis as requested, including for “Face to Face” documentation requirement.
• Ensures the provision of direct medical services to patients either directly or through arrangements, as appropriate, in the absence of the patient’s attending physician.
• Attends IDG conferences and completes certification, recertification of terminal illness, etc., as required.
• Participates in plan of care development and managing oversight of medications and treatment.
• Documents care provided in the patient’s clinical record, providing evidence of progression of the end‑stage‑disease process.
• Maintains current knowledge of the latest research and trends in hospice care and pain/symptom management.
• Works in a team approach with the IDG.
• Participates in performance improvement programs (QAPI).
• Provides consultation and education to colleagues and attending physicians related to admission criteria for hospice and palliative care.
• Reviews and develops protocols for treatment and proposes the most current options for interventions.
• Participates in resolution of interpersonal conflict and issues of clinical and ethical concern.
• Participates in the development and updating of patient care policies and emergency procedures, and acts as a liaison to physicians in the community.
• Demonstrates knowledge in communications and counseling of patient/family/staff in resolving end‑of‑life concerns.
• Participates in annual Celebration of Life and other community events.
• Other duties as assigned by Hospice Director.

Qualifications

• MD or DO degree and current license to practice medicine in the State of Connecticut.
• Understanding of and commitment to hospice principles, psychosocial, spiritual, and medical aspects of hospice care.
• At least five years of work experience in the clinical practice of medicine, family medicine, or palliative care (preferred).
• Board certified in internal medicine or family practice.
• Physical ability to drive, visual and hearing ability to communicate in person, in written materials, and on the telephone.

Equal Opportunity Employer. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.