Medical Director

Education Required:
Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree from an accredited medical school.
Job Summary

The Medical Director provides leadership, oversight, and clinical direction for the hospice and palliative care medical program under the general direction of the CEO. This role is responsible for guiding patient care plans and ensuring the highest level of medical treatment, symptom management, and patient comfort for hospice and palliative care patients and their families.

As a physician member of the interdisciplinary team (IDT), the Medical Director collaborates with physicians, nurses, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), chaplains, social workers, bereavement counselors, and volunteers to coordinate comprehensive, patient-centered hospice care.

The Medical Director provides compassionate clinical leadership, ensuring patients and families receive coordinated, respectful, and consistently high-quality hospice and palliative care that honors each individual's goals, wishes, and unique journey.

The position requires the ability to work effectively in high-stress and emotionally complex environments, demonstrate sound clinical judgment, maintain confidentiality, and collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Oversight

• Provide clinical leadership and oversight of the hospice and palliative care medical program.
• Supervise Associate Medical Directors, nurse practitioners, and contracted physicians in coordination with executive leadership.
• Ensure direct medical services are provided to patients, either personally or through appropriate physician coverage.
• Ensure daily physician rounds for General Inpatient (GIP) patients at hospice facilities and local hospitals.
• Collaborate with hospice leadership and staff to achieve organizational goals while fostering a professional, respectful, and team-oriented environment.

Collaboration & Partnership

• Attend all scheduled Interdisciplinary Group (IDG) meetings.
• Collaborate with attending physicians and facility providers to develop, implement, and revise individualized patient care plans.
• Build and maintain relationships with physicians, hospitals, long-term care facilities (LTCFs), and other healthcare partners.
• Support organizational growth through physician outreach and promotion of hospice and palliative care services.
• Educate physicians and healthcare professionals regarding hospice services, admission criteria, and patient eligibility.

Clinical Leadership

• Serve as the primary medical resource for hospice staff, patients, families, and community providers regarding pain and symptom management.
• Remain available for timely clinical consultation and decision-making.
• Conduct home visits, face-to-face encounters, hospice rounds, hospital visits, and long-term care facility visits as clinically appropriate.
• Perform pre-election evaluations and counseling for prospective hospice patients and families.
• Counsel patients and families regarding disease progression, goals of care, and end-of-life decision-making.
• Review medications upon admission and ensure prescribing practices align with the patient's plan of care.
• Oversee pharmacy utilization, IV therapy, and treatment-related costs.

Compliance & Quality Improvement

• Ensure physician and nurse practitioner documentation, billing, coding, and clinical records meet regulatory and professional standards.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation supporting patient care and reimbursement.
• Obtain and maintain required medical staff privileges at hospitals and long-term care facilities.
• Participate in Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, accreditation standards, and organizational policies.

Education & Training

• Provide ongoing clinical education and training for hospice staff.
• Respond promptly to requests for physician signatures, orders, certifications, and other required clinical documentation.

Requirements
Licensure

• Current, unrestricted Kentucky medical license.
• Valid DEA registration.
• Valid NPI registration.

Board Certification

• Board Certified in Primary Care or a related specialty.
• Board Certification in Hospice and Palliative Medicine preferred.

Working Relationships

The Medical Director serves as the clinical leader of the hospice interdisciplinary team, working closely with executive leadership and nursing leadership. The role requires strong collaborative relationships with internal clinical teams as well as community physicians, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare partners to promote continuity of care and expand access to hospice and palliative care services.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

• Ability to sit for extended periods.
• Travel to patient homes, hospitals, hospice facilities, and nursing homes.
• Work in emotionally demanding clinical environments.
• Potential exposure to communicable diseases.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person and by telephone.
• Occasionally assist with patient-related clinical needs in coordination with the care team.
• Flexibility to participate in on-call responsibilities, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.