Hospice and Palliative Medical Director

Job Description

Lead with Compassion. Put Patients First.

Are you a physician leader who believes exceptional care begins with compassion? At United Hospice, patients—not productivity—are our priority. We measure success by the comfort, dignity, and support we provide, giving physicians the time to listen, guide, and advocate for patients and families when they need it most.

We are seeking an experienced Hospice & Palliative Care Medical Director to lead our growing programs and help shape the future of compassionate, patient-centered care.

As Medical Director, you will provide clinical leadership, collaborate with an outstanding interdisciplinary team, and ensure the highest standards of hospice and palliative medicine. If you're passionate about delivering exceptional care and making a meaningful difference every day, we'd love to hear from you.

Position Summary

The Hospice & Palliative Care Medical Director provides both clinical and administrative leadership for United Hospice's hospice and palliative care services. This physician serves as the clinical authority for the medical management of patients with serious, chronic, and life-limiting illnesses, ensuring the highest standards of quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.

Working collaboratively with physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, social workers, spiritual care providers, and other members of the interdisciplinary team, the Medical Director provides consultation for complex symptom management, facilitates goals-of-care discussions, assists with advance care planning, supports end-of-life decision-making, and guides care transitions across the continuum.

In addition to direct patient care responsibilities, the Medical Director mentors and educates clinical staff, partners with community physicians, hospitals, and healthcare organizations, and serves as a clinical ambassador to expand awareness of and access to hospice and palliative care services. This role plays a vital part in advancing the organization's mission by fostering collaborative relationships, promoting clinical excellence, and supporting strategic growth throughout the communities we serve.

Essential Functions

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• Determines patient eligibility for hospice or palliative service per program acceptance criteria and the Conditions of Participation.
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• Certifies and re-certifies patient eligibility for the hospice or palliative program and, if necessary, in conjunction with the attending physician on a timely basis.
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• Provides clinical support to the Hospice and Palliative Multi-Disciplinary team.
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• If not the primary attending, will consult with primary physicians or specialists as needed regarding the patient's medical condition. Assume responsibility for the general medical needs of hospice or palliative patients to the extent that the attending physician does not meet the needs, serving as attending physician as needed and when requested by the hospice patient or their representatives. For palliative patients, you would serve in a consultative role with the patient's attending physician. Work with the attending physician to encourage the fulfillment of their responsibilities.
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• Serves as a liaison between the attending physician and hospice or palliative team by obtaining/sharing information about the patient's plan of care on an ongoing basis.
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• Evaluates the patient's medical status in the home, outpatient, and inpatient settings based on a visit schedule.
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• Provides the hospice and palliative team administrative and medical leadership and guidance to ensure adequate delivery of care. Serves on the clinical leadership team.
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• Participates in quality assessment and performance improvement. Serves on internal QAPI and PAC committees.
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• Works with the interdisciplinary team in establishing, implementing, and reviewing the Hospice plan of care for each patient in keeping with the Conditions of Participation.
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• Attends Patient Care Conferences as requested.
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• Develops/reviews and evaluates medical standards, policies, and procedures for the hospice and/or palliative program and agency as requested.
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• Develops and provides in-services for the Hospice Team as requested by manager, based on identified learning needs.
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• Provides ongoing community and professional education as it relates to the medical community. Routinely networks with hospital staff to provide educational seminars on hospice.
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• Assists with the design and development of a home-based palliative care program.
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• Serves as physician supervising the care of palliative care patients in the home-based program for the agency.
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• Performs home visits and visits for inpatient hospice services related to patient assessment and care as needed and appropriate.
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• Works directly with the patient and their families and caregivers, and their hospital and specialty providers, to create a customized plan of care for home-based palliative care.
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• Assists the interdisciplinary team (IDT) in developing and implementing a plan of care that is coordinated with the attending physician.
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• Provides coverage and support to hospice staff for provision of medical services in the absence of the attending physician or after normal business hours.
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• Renders the necessary medical management, in consultation with the attending physician, consistent with the plan of care and the patient's needs.
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• Acts as a resource to hospice staff, patients, family members, and attending physicians regarding pain management and symptom management control.
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• Coordinates networking with community physicians to promote palliative home-based program.
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• Assists with the promotion of the palliative care program with the business development department.
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Other Job Functions

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• Understands and demonstrates the agency’s shared values, safety policies and procedures.
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• Demonstrates understanding of Hospice philosophy and pain and symptom management.
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• Demonstrates understanding of team approach and communication.
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• Demonstrates ability to be a productive member of a high-performing team.
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• Contributes to positive atmosphere; demonstrates positive interactions with internal and external customers.
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• Adheres to the Agency’s standard of professional appearance and the Agency’s dress code policy.
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• Adheres to the Agency’s policy and procedures regarding confidentiality and patient rights.
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• Attends in- services/conferences required for position/program annually.
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• Demonstrates flexibility in the role by accepting other duties as assigned for which qualified.
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Requirements

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• Ideal candidate will have completed a Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program. BE/BC in Palliative Care.
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• All applicants must possess a full range of clinical skills and an interest in working with an innovative hospice practice.
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• Experience working in an interdisciplinary team delivering Palliative Care/Hospice Medicine.
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• All applicants must have an unrestricted New York State Medical License and Federally Issued DEA license.
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• Board certified in Internal Medicine or Family Practice
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• One to two years of medical physician experience, including pain and symptom management experience
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