Hospice Clinical Director

Clinical Director

Reports To: Executive Director/Administrator

Job Description Summary

The Clinical Director is responsible for the overall direction of hospice clinical services. The Clinical Director establishes, implements and evaluates goals and objectives for hospice services that meet and promote the standards of quality and contribute to the total organization and philosophy.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities

• Coordinates and oversees all direct and indirect patient services provided by clinical organization personnel.
• Provides guidance and counseling to coordinators and Clinical Supervisors to assist them in continually improving all aspects of hospice care services, provided through organization personnel.
• Assists Clinical Supervisors in managing clinical teams and planning.
• Provides help in assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient and family/caregiver care to all clinical personnel as indicated.
• Assists the Executive Director/Administrator in the preparation and administration of the organization's budget.
• Interprets operational indicators to detect census changes and increases or decreases in volume that could impact staffing levels, revenues or expenses.
• Evaluates performance of Clinical Supervisors.
• Assists Clinical Supervisors to develop skills and techniques in evaluating the performance of clinicians.
• Hires, evaluates, and terminates organization personnel.
• Conducts annual evaluations on clinicians, or more frequently if indicated.
• Oversees the maintenance of patient clinical records, statistics, reports and records for purposes of evaluation and reporting of organization activities.
• Assures proper maintenance of clinical records in compliance with local, state and federal laws.
• Responsible for the maintenance of adequate and appropriate inventory supplies and equipment for the provision of patient services.
• Develops, implements and evaluates the orientation program for new organization personnel. Responsible for orientation of new organization personnel, directly or delegated.
• Plans and implements in-service and continuing education programs to meet education and training needs of organization personnel at least quarterly.
• Assists with the evaluation of organization performance via performance improvement program, productivity, quarterly and annual reviews. Assures for the quality and safe delivery of hospice services provided through the Organization.
• Assists in the development of organization goals. Develops, recommends, and administers Organization policies and procedures.
• Assures compliance with all local, state and federal laws regarding licensure and certification of organization personnel and, maintains compliance to the CHAP Home Care standards.
• Stays informed about changes in the field of nursing and hospice care; shares information with appropriate organization personnel.
• Promotes hospice referrals in the health care community.
• In the absence of the Executive Director/Administrator, the Clinical Director/Director of Patient Care Services will become the acting Executive Director/Administrator and will be vested with authority to act in behalf of the Executive Director/Administrator.
• In the temporary absence (in excess of twenty [20] consecutive working days) of the Clinical Director/Director of Patient Care Services, a Registered Nurse shall be designated in writing as responsible for fulfilling the duties of Clinical Director/Director of Patient Care Services.
• Any vacancy in the Clinical Director/Director of Patient Care Services position shall be filled within sixty (60) days of the vacancy and the Department notified of the replacement.
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director/Administrator.
• Responsible for the coordination and integration of nursing services with other hospice services to provide a continuum of care for the patient.
• Responsible for the development of protocols for regular verbal communication, including case conferencing, between the nursing service and other disciplines based on the needs of each patient.
• Responsible for the development of written job descriptions and performance criteria for nursing personnel, and assigning duties based upon education,training, competencies and job descriptions.
• Ensures that nursing services are provided to the patient as specified in the nursing plan of care.

Position Qualifications

• Registered nurse in the State with current licensure to practice professional nursing in the State.
• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from an accredited program by the National League for Nursing. Master’s degree in hospice preferred.
• Three years of management experience within the last five (5) years in a hospice or related health care organization, at least one (1) year of which was in a supervisory or administrative capacity, OR A Registered Nurse with four (4) years’ experience within the last five (5) years in a hospice, home health agency, primary care clinic or health facility, at least one (1) year of which was in a supervisory or administrative capacity.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and direct professional and administrative personnel.
• Ability to market and deal tactfully with customers and the community.
• Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state and/or Organization requirements and is in good working order.
• Has excellent observation, verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of business management, governmental regulations and CHAP standards.