Associate Medical Director

VITAS Healthcare • Middlebury, CT

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Medical Director of VITAS fulfills two primary functions, each expected to consume approximately half of the position's time and effort. The first function involves overall responsibility for the medical direction of patient care and treatment provided by the hospice care team, including consultation and cooperation with the patient's attending physician. The second function is to provide physician direction and guidance to the hospice program, its physician employees, and other staff and volunteers to ensure the maintenance of quality standards of care. Additionally, the Associate Medical Director educates practicing physicians and other healthcare professionals about the hospice program and its benefits to patients.

Requirements

• License to practice medicine in the state in which the program is operating.
• Board certification in a medical specialty which deals with care of the terminally ill, such as Internal Medicine, Oncology or Family Practice.
• At least a working knowledge of medical oncology.
• Demonstrated expertise in the principles of palliative medicine and symptom management.
• Knowledge of the principles and practice of primary medical care, with at least a working knowledge of oncology.
• Knowledge of palliative care with particular emphasis on control of symptoms associated with terminal illness.
• Ability to work collaboratively with patients' attending physicians to implement the hospice program and effect optimum medical care.
• Ability to work collaboratively with hospice employees and volunteers as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Membership in good standing on the medical staff of an accredited hospital in the state in which the hospice is located.
• Medical malpractice and liability insurance in amounts and with carriers satisfactory to VITAS.
• Positive recommendation to the general manager or area vice president from corporate medical officer.

Responsibilities

• Assure appropriate evaluation and certification of terminal prognosis of patients.
• Assure the quality of initial and comprehensive plans of care.
• Assure the accuracy of documentation.
• Review revocations and recertifications of terminal prognosis.
• Review the quality of pain and symptom management and provide medical expertise to staff.
• Actively participate in formal QI functions, committees, the Interdisciplinary Group, and the Ethics Committee.
• Interact with attending physicians regarding pain, symptom management, and patient prognosis.
• Periodically attend home care team meetings and rounds in inpatient units.
• Supervise team physicians, including interviewing, hiring, orienting, and reviewing their clinical care and documentation quality.
• Ensure documentation supports billed CPT codes and that team physicians support the hospice team.
• Participate with the team manager in yearly formal evaluations of team physicians.
• Ensure a 24/7 physician on-call rotation is established.
• Participate as an active member of the local/regional management team, including budget and strategic planning.
• Actively participate in responding to audits and denials from third-party insurance and intermediaries.
• Ensure all contracted physicians are properly credentialed via the VITAS Credentialing process and serve on the VITAS Credentialing Committee.
• In Wisconsin, supervise the consultant pharmacist's functions related to medication standards and controlled drug disposal.
• Educate community physicians on palliative medicine principles, provide consultative support, and attend/present at medical community conferences.
• Serve as a liaison between the hospice and community physicians, making regular contacts to introduce the program, educate on appropriate referrals, and address concerns.
• Assist in introducing the VITAS program to long-term care providers, managed care providers, hospitals, and others.
• Conduct educational seminars and presentations to healthcare professionals to ensure hospice services are accessible.
• Assist in the development of and actively participate in clinical training for hospice patient care and admissions personnel.
• Actively participate in medical and nursing education programs on palliative medicine.
• Assist in the development of and actively participate in research protocols.
• Be a member of and participate in professional organizations related to palliative medicine.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior