Medical Director of Palliative Care

Job Description

Job Description

Senior Medical Director, Inpatient Palliative Medicine & Hospice

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, based in coastal Wilmington, NC, is one of the region’s most respected and rapidly growing nonprofit hospice and palliative care organizations. If you’re a physician ready to take the next step from clinical excellence into meaningful leadership, this is an opportunity to help define what comes next as the Senior Medical Director to lead inpatient palliative medicine and hospice services at a pivotal moment of evolution and growth.

You’ll guide a multidisciplinary team, strengthen partnerships with the medical center, and help shape innovative, patient-centered care models that meet the needs of today—and tomorrow. If you’re looking to join a highly engaged team as evidenced by physician satisfaction ranking in the 99th percentile of Press Ganey’s national employee experience survey, we want to hear from you!

Your Impact:

As Senior Medical Director, you’ll bring together clinical expertise, leadership, and vision to advance care delivery across inpatient palliative medicine and hospice programs.

Clinical & Program Leadership

• Provide expert palliative care consultation for patients and families facing serious illness
• Lead and coordinate comprehensive care plans in partnership with interdisciplinary teams
• Serve as attending physician for inpatient hospice patients and support care across settings
• Ensure high-quality, patient-centered care aligned with best practices in symptom management and end-of-life care

Team & Physician Leadership

• Supervise and mentor members of the hospice and palliative care teams, including 12 registered nurses, 11 advanced practice providers, 2 social workers, and 2 other physicians.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and development of team members
• Serve as a trusted liaison between clinical teams, hospital leadership, and community physicians

Strategy, Quality & Growth

• Help drive the strategic direction and continued expansion of palliative care services
• Lead quality improvement initiatives, performance metrics, and patient safety efforts
• Partner with leadership to enhance program visibility, access, and community engagement
• Contribute to operational planning, program development, and service line growth

Education & Advocacy

• Teach and mentor hospice and palliative medicine fellows, residents, and students
• Act as a resource for clinicians and the broader community on best practices in end-of-life care
• Represent Lower Cape Fear LifeCare in key committees, forums, and professional settings

What We’re Looking For:

• Physician Training & Board Certification
  Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) from an accredited program, with the ability to obtain and maintain licensure in North Carolina, along with hospital medical staff privileges. Board Certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine, or eligible and committed to obtaining certification within the first year.
• Clinical Experience & Leadership
  A minimum of five years of experience caring for patients with serious or life-limiting illness, with a strong foundation in hospice and palliative medicine. Experience leading teams, mentoring advanced practice providers, and helping others grow in their practice
• Commitment to Teaching & Growth
  An interest in education and mentorship, including working with fellows, residents, and learners as programs continue to expand
• Collaborative Mindset
  A physician who thrives in interdisciplinary environments and values partnership, communication, and shared purpose in delivering exceptional care

  What We Offer:

• Purpose-Driven Work
  Be part of a respected, mission-focused nonprofit organization where your work directly impacts patients, families, and the community.
• Growth & Transformation
  Join a leadership team that values physician voice, and empowers you to contribute to the continued expansions of palliative care programs and help guide Lower Cape Fear LifeCare through it’s next phase of evolution
• Professional Development & Leadership 
  Opportunities to expand your leadership influence, mentor future clinicians, and play a key role in education and program development.
• Work-Life Integration
  A structured weekday, on-site leadership role supported by generous paid time off and comprehensive benefits.