Hospice and Palliative Physician

HOSPICE OF THE CHESAPEAKE•Pasadena, MD

2d•$200,000 - $2,500,000

About The Position

The Hospice and Palliative Care Physician works in concert with Hospice of the Chesapeake’s other Hospice and Palliative Care Physicians under the supervision of the Medical Director. The physician provides expertise in hospice and palliative care through referral, patient admission, care planning, and throughout the course of service. The role supports regulatory compliance, survey preparation, policy development, and quality/performance improvement. It includes confirming hospice eligibility and completing required certification and attestation documentation, making patient and family visits in homes, hospitals, residences, or HOC facilities, and providing face-to-face visits as assigned. The physician also supports attending physicians and interdisciplinary teams with medical consultation, pain and symptom management, and education about hospice and palliative care. The physician participates in interdisciplinary and committee meetings, supports staff education, documents visits within 24 hours, and distinguishes billable from administrative visits for accurate coding. Assignments are based on patient and service needs and medical team availability.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited school of medicine or osteopathy.
Current Maryland physician’s license.
At least two years of experience practicing medicine.
Board certification in Hospice and Supportive Care or certification as a Hospice Medical Director within 2–3 years of employment.
Understanding of and commitment to the philosophy of hospice care.
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Excellent customer service philosophy and skills.
Current knowledge of management and administration and applicable federal, state, and local regulations and statutes governing hospice operations and patient care.
Adequate professional development to maintain licensure.
Ability to take initiative independently and exercise good judgment in decision-making.
Ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure, attend to details and deadlines, and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
Professional maturity in carrying out the responsibilities of the position.
High degree of honesty, integrity, and confidentiality.
Flexibility and willingness to undertake new responsibilities as assigned.
Computer skills, including EMRs.
Ability and willingness to work as a team player, including some evenings and weekends if needed to accommodate organizational needs.
Understanding of the mission, vision, and financial limitations of a nonprofit organization.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a hospice or Supportive Care setting is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Assist the Hospice Medical Director and Director of Medical Services with staff and departmental compliance with organizational, local, state, and federal laws, regulations, standards, and accreditation requirements.
Provide medical expertise for survey preparation, administrative and peer reviews, and maintaining licensure and accreditation standards and procedures.
Assist in implementing corrective actions arising from survey or review findings.
Contribute to departmental policies and procedures and ensure consistency with organizational policies.
Participate in Quality/Performance Improvement programs, use trends and needs to inform planning, seek staff input, and ensure appropriate tools are available to meet goals.
Confirm patient eligibility for hospice services according to admission and recertification criteria and policy, including completing the certificate of terminal illness and attestation statement for each patient admitted under the physician’s responsibility.
Ensure medical devices are provided safely and staff are oriented to and knowledgeable about hospice-wide and departmental safety policies and procedures.
Visit patients in homes, residences, hospitals, or HOC facilities to provide medical support and consultation to patients, families, attending physicians, and the interdisciplinary team.
Provide face-to-face visits for team patients and as assigned.
Serve as a liaison to current and potential referral sources, including physicians, discharge planners, and third-party payers, educating them about end-of-life care, hospice capabilities, pain management, and symptom management.
Educate the medical community in the service area about the value of hospice and palliative care.
Contact physicians who are new referral sources, arrange visits to hospital medical staff, offer physician education programs and materials, and consult with attending physicians on pain management and symptom control.
Attend and participate in assigned interdisciplinary team meetings, collaborating with the clinical manager to ensure they comprehensively address patient and family needs and encourage efficient participation.
Provide staff education on specific patient diagnoses and hospice and Supportive Care issues.
Distinguish billable from administrative visits, code appropriately, and submit documentation within 24 hours of visits.
Attend and actively participate in appropriate committee meetings at affiliated hospitals and facilities to communicate and address hospice and palliative care needs and concerns.