Hospice Medical Director
Summary:
The Hospice Medical Director is a licensed physician (a Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy) who organizes and assumes overall responsibility for the medical component of the hospice’s care program. The Hospice Medical Director provides the palliation and management of the terminal illness, medical care interventions targeting unmet general medical needs, and hospice pre-election and counseling services when these specific needs are not met by the attending physician. The Hospice Medical Director is available for consultation 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and arranges coverage when not available.
Requirements:
- Provides comprehensive medical direction of the hospice program.
- The Medical Director has the required licensure, education, training, and qualifications required by rule, regulation, law and/or statute to qualify for the role in their state.
- A minimum of five years of clinical experience in the practice of medicine or osteopathy.
- Have current state and federal registrations to prescribe and administer drugs, including controlled substances.
- Eligible to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
- Board Certified in a related specialty.
- Has expertise in the medical care of terminally ill individuals.
- Knowledgeable about the psychosocial, spiritual, and medical aspects of hospice care.
Responsibilities:
The Hospice Medical Director provides oversight of physician services including:
- Complementing attending physician care.
- Acting as a medical resource person to the interdisciplinary team conferences.
- Assuring overall continuity of the hospice medical services.
- Assuring that all patients receive appropriate measures to control uncomfortable symptoms.
The Hospice Medical Director is responsible for:
- Collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to ensure that the medical needs of the patient are met and providing oversight of the plan of care.
- Certifying that the patients meet the medical criteria for hospice admission based upon available diagnostic and prognostic indicators, review of medical records, and hospice nursing reports.
- Completing all necessary documentation required of the Hospice Medical Director by Medicare and other payers to certify and recertify each patient’s terminal condition.
- Adhering to requirements, terms, and conditions required by Medicare Conditions of Participation, ACHC, and federal and state laws governing provision of services.
- Directing the symptoms management of hospice patients through consultation with hospice nurses.
- Collaborating with the patient’s attending physician to develop and update the patient’s plan of care, to identify needs not met by the attending physician, and to ensure pain and symptom management and control.
- Re-certifying patients, as appropriate, for continuation of the Medicare Hospice Benefit at appropriate levels of care funded through Medicaid, third-party payer, or other resources.
- Serving as a medical resource to hospice staff, patients, families, and attending physicians regarding pain and symptom control management.
- Acting as a resource to attending physicians regarding palliative medicine and hospice care and ensuring that the provision of direct medical services to patients are provided either directly or through arrangements, as appropriate, in the absence of the patient’s attending physician.
- Attending interdisciplinary team conferences weekly and assessing continued hospice appropriateness for patients.
- Participating in the plan of care development and managing oversight of medications and treatments.
- Documenting care provided in the patient’s clinical record providing evidence of progression of the end-stage disease process.
- Maintaining current knowledge of the latest research and trends in hospice care and pain/symptom management.
- Working in a team approach with the interdisciplinary team.
- Participating in performance improvement programs, including charts reviews, making recommendations for improving care as indicated.
- Providing consultation and education to colleagues and attending physicians, acting as a patient advocate.
- Reviewing and developing protocols for treatment and proposing the most current options for interventions.
- Demonstrating knowledge in communications and counseling patient/family in dealing with end-of-life issues.
- Participating in resolution of interpersonal conflict and issues of clinical and ethical concerns.
- Participating in the development, updates, and implementation of patient care policies and emergency procedures.
- Providing medical care for hospice patients without a primary physician or who require consultation.
- Making home visits to select hospice patients as needed.
- Providing consultation on all hospice patients admitted to a facility for inpatient care or residing in a skilled nursing facility.
- Acting as a liaison to physicians in the community.
Why Constellation?
- Family-Centered Culture: At Constellation, we treat our team members like family. We understand that exceptional patient care starts with a happy and supported workforce.
- Recognition as a Great Place to Work: We've been certified as a Great Place to Work for six consecutive years, from 2018 to 2023. We're also honored to be among the Top 25 Places to Work for in Healthcare in the US.
Constellation Hospice is a leading hospice care provider dedicated to providing compassionate and dignified end-of-life care to our patients and their families. Our team of experienced and dedicated professionals is committed to creating a supportive and collaborative environment where nurses can thrive and make a profound impact on the lives of others.
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