Medical Director

Responsibilities

• As a member of the Hospice team, participates in the planning and developing of the patient/family plan of care managing 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, if any, current subjective and objective medical findings, current medication and treatment orders, information about the medical management of any of the patients’ 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 patient plan of care. If the attending physician is unavailable, the medical director is responsible for meeting the medical needs of the patient.
• 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 patient’s attending physician on pain control and symptom management to control uncomfortable symptoms.
• Coordinate efforts with attending physician to provide direct medical care if he/she 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 proposing 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. 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

Qualifications

• MD or DO degree and current license to practice medicine in the State of Connecticut
• An understanding of and commitment to hospice principles, psychosocial, spiritual and medical aspects of hospice care
• At least five year’s work experience in 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 telephone
• Other duties as assigned by Hospice Director