Chief Medical Officer, Family Hospice

Job Description

Job Description

Chief Medical Officer

Position Overview
The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at our organization is a senior physician executive tasked with delivering visionary clinical leadership across hospice services within our Integrated Delivery and Financing System (IDFS). This position is perfect for a physician leader dedicated to enhancing hospice care in acute care settings, improving care transitions, and influencing the future of serious illness management within a comprehensive academic health system. Our hospice collaborates closely with hospitals, service lines, and the Palliative and Supportive Institute (PSI) to provide exceptional, patient-centered care across various settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and community environments. The CMO plays a vital role in aligning hospice and palliative services with the organization’s strategic priorities, value-based care initiatives, and commitment to excellence.

Reporting Structure

• Reports to: President, Home Healthcare & Family Hospice
• Medical Advisory Relationship: Works in conjunction with Palliative and Supportive Teams
• Direct Reports: Hospice Medical Directors, Physicians, and Advanced Practice Providers

Key Responsibilities

• Acute Care & System Integration:
  • Lead the integration of hospice and palliative care services within acute care hospitals, including inpatient units, ICUs, emergency departments, and specialty service lines.
  • Collaborate with hospital leadership, physician practices, and community programs to enhance timely hospice referrals, GIP utilization, and smooth care transitions.
  • Act as the senior physician liaison among Family Hospice, hospitals, and system leadership.
• Clinical & Quality Leadership:
  • Provide comprehensive medical direction for all hospice programs, encompassing inpatient, hospital-based, SNF, and community settings.
  • Ensure adherence to CMS, federal, state, and payer regulations.
  • Oversee physician documentation, billing, and coding to maintain quality and financial integrity.
  • Establish and uphold a schedule of physician services to guarantee clinical and administrative support is available 24/7 for all hospice programs.
  • Lead quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing patient outcomes, safety, and overall experience.
• Growth, Innovation & Program Development:
  • Drive the growth of clinical programs in alignment with the organization’s value-based and population health strategies.
  • Collaborate with business development and system leaders to assess new care models and their ROI.
  • Encourage innovation in concurrent care, hospital-based hospice, and palliative pathways.
• Physician Leadership & Workforce Development:
  • Recruit, mentor, and retain a high-performing team of physicians and Advanced Practice Providers (APPs).
  • Establish standards for physician competency, performance expectations, and pathways for professional development.
  • Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and clinical excellence.
• Academic & Educational Leadership:
  • Collaborate with PSI and the University of Pittsburgh to support fellowship training and physician education.
  • Provide educational resources to hospital-based clinicians and community partners regarding hospice and palliative care.
  • Represent the organization as a thought leader in regional and national forums.
• Inpatient Hospice Medical Direction:
  • Serve as Medical Director for the Family Hospice inpatient unit, overseeing GIP care and interdisciplinary collaboration.
  • Participate in clinical coverage and call responsibilities as needed.
  • Act as the Medical Director for Home Healthcare and attend the Professional Advisory Committee, providing recommendations for palliative home care services.
• Fiscal & Operational Accountability:
  • Engage in annual budgeting and resource planning for the medical department.
  • Support effective physician staffing models and utilization management.

Required Qualifications

• MD or DO with an active medical license in Pennsylvania (or eligibility to obtain one).
• Board-certified or board-eligible in Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
• Proven leadership experience in hospice and/or palliative care.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills within complex healthcare systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Hospice or Palliative Medical Director.
• Experience in academic teaching.
• Background in an integrated delivery system or value-based care environment.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

In the course of fulfilling job responsibilities, the employee must be capable of:

• Performing tasks of moderate physical intensity, including exerting up to 10 pounds of force regularly and occasionally lifting up to 75 pounds.
• Engaging in activities that require visual, auditory, and manual dexterity skills, including kneeling, standing, walking, crouching, stooping, and reaching.
• Operating office equipment such as computers, copiers, and telephones, as well as clinical devices like oxygen therapy equipment, suction machines, feeding tubes, infusion pumps, and venous access devices.

The work environment may involve exposure to high-risk situations or unusual environmental stressors, including contact with blood or bodily fluids, necessitating the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses, face shields, surgical masks, gloves, and gowns.