Associate Medical Director - Hospice - San Antonio

Job Description

Job Description

Hospice Medical Director and/or Associate Medical Director

1. Responsibilities of Physician:

1. Medical Oversight:
   1. The Medical Director or Associate Medical Director (herein referred to as Medical Director) shall provide medical direction and oversight of the clinical aspects of the hospice care program, ensuring that all services provided to patients comply with applicable state and federal regulations, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations.
   2. Upon admission and on an ongoing basis, the Medical Director will collaborate with the patient's attending physician to manage the palliation and care of the patient's terminal illness and related conditions, as part of the Plan of Care (POC). If the attending physician is unavailable, the Medical Director will be responsible for addressing the medical needs of the patient.
2. Patient Care and Clinical Supervision
   1. The Medical Director will work with Kindful Health in the review of and help to ensure the implementation of patient care policies, and ensure that care plans are tailored to the specific medical needs of each patient.
   2. The Medical Director will provide clinical guidance to the interdisciplinary team and offer consultation on complex medical cases, ensuring that the interdisciplinary team functions optimally.
3. Compliance with Laws and Regulations
   1. The Medical Director will work with Kindful Health's CCO to ensure that the hospice program complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations, including those set forth by CMS, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Hospice Conditions of Participation (CoP).
   2. The Medical Director will work with Kindful Health's CCO to ensure compliance with the rules set by any other regulatory bodies with jurisdiction over hospice services.
4. Education and Training
   1. The Medical Director will provide education and training to hospice staff at the CCO's direction, including other physicians, nurses, and other team members, on medical care, hospice policies, and regulatory compliance.
   2. The Medical Director will also participate in Hospice orientation and ongoing palliative care education.
5. Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI)
   1. The Medical Director shall actively participate in the hospice's Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) activities, including reviewing patient care outcomes and recommending improvements as necessary in collaboration with the CCO.
   2. The Medical Director will provide input into the development and revision of Hospice policies and procedures to ensure ongoing clinical and regulatory compliance in collaboration with the CCO.
6. Medical Certifications
   1. The Medical Director shall complete the certification of terminal illness and subsequent recertifications as required by CMS and other relevant agencies, in collaboration with the attending physician as appropriate.
7. Service Delivery and Visits
   1. The Medical Director will provide services and visits to hospice patients according to the POC, only with express authorization from Hospice.
   2. Patient and family visits will be scheduled through interdisciplinary meetings in alignment with the POC.
   3. The Medical Director will act as a medical resource for the clinical staff and will participate as a member of the interdisciplinary team, providing input on the patient's POC.

1. On-Call and Availability
   1. The Medical Director will provide 24-hour on-call coverage for medical emergencies and address patient care concerns that arise outside regular hours; on-call will be scheduled collaboratively with the Dir. of Clinical Services.
2. Compliance with Hospice Policies
   1. The Medical Director agrees to adhere to all applicable policies, including those regarding personnel qualifications and patient care standards.
   2. The Medical Director's qualifications will be consistent with state medical board requirements and all services will be provided in compliance with state and federal regulations.
   3. The Medical Director will allow Hospice to perform a criminal history check as required by regulation for all employees or contracted entities who have direct patient contact or access to patient records.
   4. The Medical Director agrees to allow Hospice to complete the OIG Exclusion List check on a monthly basis.
3. Record Keeping and Documentation
   1. The Medical Director shall maintain accurate, timely records that reflect all services provided. Documentation will be submitted to the Hospice office on a weekly basis.
   2. The Medical Director's clinical documentation will include evidence of compliance with all aspects of patient care as outlined in this agreement.
4. General Provisions
   1. The Medical Director will participate in all aspects of the Hospice's operations as required, contributing to ongoing improvement in patient care and clinical operations as requested.
   2. The Medical Director will provide guidance and leadership in maintaining a high standard of medical care, ensuring that the needs of the patients are met in accordance with the law and best practices in hospice care.

1. Responsibilities of Hospice:

1. Pre-Admission:
   1. The Hospice will assess the patient and family, gathering clinical information necessary for consultation with the Physician prior to admission.
   2. If the patient is admitted, Hospice will complete initial and comprehensive assessments for both the patient and family, ensuring that all relevant clinical data is obtained.
2. Care Coordination:
   1. The Hospice will ensure that the Physician is kept informed about the patient's medical condition, needs, and progress throughout their care, maintaining continuous communication.
3. Patient Services:
   1. Hospice will ensure that all services are delivered in a timely, safe, and effective manner, in strict adherence to the Plan of Care (POC).
   2. Services provided will be in compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations and standards.
4. Case Management:
   1. Hospice will collaborate with the Physician to review patient assessments regularly, including any changes in medications, drug interactions, side effects, or treatments, ensuring that the care plan is updated accordingly.
   2. The Hospice will also assist in the adjustment of the care plan based on any changes in the patient's medical condition.
5. Training and Education:
   1. Hospice will provide palliative and end-of-life care training to the Physician during orientation and periodically thereafter, as required by policy and regulation. This training will ensure that the Physician is equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide the highest level of care.
6. Qualified Personnel:
   1. Hospice will ensure the availability of qualified personnel to deliver safe and effective care in compliance with state and federal regulations. This includes maintaining appropriate staffing levels and ensuring all team members are properly trained and licensed as needed.
7. Record Keeping:
   1. Hospice will maintain accurate and up-to-date clinical records for all patients, ensuring that records are kept in compliance with regulatory requirements and are available for review by appropriate parties when necessary.
8. Supervision and Evaluation:
   1. Hospice will supervise and evaluate the activities of the Physician, ensuring that the Physician attends interdisciplinary team (IDT) and interdisciplinary group (IDG) meetings as required.
   2. Hospice will also ensure that the Physician is responsive to calls and requests for consultation in a timely manner, providing necessary oversight for the quality of care delivered.

III. Licensure and Qualifications:

1. Physician: Maintain a current license to practice medicine in the state (or states) where the Hospice is located. Physician will notify Hospice immediately concerning any proposed, threatened or actual revocation, termination of state license or federal restrictions.
2. Hospice: Maintain a current state hospice license and Medicare certification from CMS and provide services in compliance with Medicare Conditions of Participation and state regulations. Hospice will notify the Physician immediately concerning any proposed, threatened or actual revocation or termination of state license or Medicare certification.

Kindful will run a state and national background check on all potential employees.