Hospice Physician

Hospice Physician

The Hospice Physician creates and oversees the medical component of each patient's plan of care. The Hospice Physician is responsible for medical oversight for each patient and working with the entire interdisciplinary team to provide high quality Hospice care.

Job Duties

• Reviews patients medical records and certifies patient eligibility for Hospice care upon admission and the beginning of each subsequent benefit period.
• Serves as attending physician for patients without a primary physician at the request of the patient and or medical power of attorney. In this capacity, provides all legally required orders for care and signs death certificate.
• Acts as attending physician as requested in the absence of other attending physicians; assures the availability of 24 hour per day, 365 days per year medical care to all patients and consultation to all interdisciplinary team members.
• Acts as the Medical Director in the Medical Director's absence
• Coordinate medical care to assure competent, appropriate delivery of Hospice services. Review patient medication lists for accuracy, safety and drug interactions.
• Participates in the interdisciplinary development, evaluation, and revision of plans of care during IDG and outside of IDG as necessary.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members and attending physicians in resolving care conflicts and ethical dilemmas.
• Make medically necessary visits in-person (or telehealth visits when appropriate) as well as assist in face-to-face encounters as needed.
• Provides leadership in delivery of state-of-the-art pain and symptom management.
• Responds in a timely manner to questions and clinical concerns (within 15 minutes for texts/calls and 24 hours for emails).
• Participates in the development of standing orders, clinical protocols, policies, procedures, forms, quality improvement monitors, and service programs as requested.
• Effectively represents the Hospice program through routine communication with physician colleagues; seeks opportunities to act as an advocate for Hospice care.
• Participates in the presentation of community education programs for the health care professional and the public.
• Respects the autonomy and the right to confidentiality of all patients and families.
• Seeks opportunities for professional growth, including demonstrating the ability to receive constructive performance feedback.
• Participate in departmental and/or agency quality improvement activities, and management meetings as requested.
• Acts independently and responsibly to perform job duties on a consistent basis.
• Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state or organizational requirements and is in good working order. Must be willing to travel the entire service area.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Board certified or board eligible in Hospice and Palliative Medicine, preferred.
• Licensed by the Commonwealth of VA as a Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy.
• Demonstrated willingness and ability to participate in direct clinical practice.
• Demonstrated understanding of hospice philosophy and pain and symptom management.
• Ability to work within diverse social and economic situations without imposing own values.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with team members, patients, families and providers.
• Contribute as part of a collaborative team.