Hospice Associate Medical Director

VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region•Bennington, VT

21d

About The Position

VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region is seeking a contracted Hospice Associate Medical Director serving Bennington County for 5–10 hours per week. The role has overall responsibility for the medical component of the hospice program, providing oversight of physician services, complementing attending physician care, serving as a medical resource to the interdisciplinary group, supporting continuity of hospice medical services, and helping ensure appropriate measures to control patient symptoms. The Associate Medical Director also represents and promotes the hospice program to physicians, referral sources, community health organizations, and potential donors as appropriate. The position works with attending physicians and the interdisciplinary group on patient eligibility and plans of care, supports compliance with applicable requirements, and participates in quality improvement activities. VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region is a Vermont-based nonprofit home health and hospice care agency providing advanced medical care to people of all ages. Its mission is to provide the best care for every person and bring compassion, dependability, and expertise to healthcare.

Requirements

Be licensed as a Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy in Vermont without restriction or disciplinary or corrective action.
Maintain controlled substances registration with state and federal authorities.
Have experience in hospice or palliative care and/or training in end-of-life care.
Participate in ongoing medical education related to the medical care of hospice and palliative care patients.
Hold a valid Vermont State Nursing or Therapy license.
Hold a valid state driver's license.
Successfully pass pre-employment driver-record, criminal, and adult and child abuse background checks/reviews.

Responsibilities

Provide overall medical direction to the hospice program, its employees, and individuals working under contract.
Review patients’ medical eligibility for hospice services according to program policies and procedures.
Establish the plan of care with the attending physician and interdisciplinary group before care is provided.
Adhere to Medicare Conditions of Participation, accrediting-body requirements, and applicable federal and state statutes governing services.
Consult with and educate community providers, clinical staff, colleagues, and attending physicians about hospice and palliative care admission criteria.
Act as a medical liaison with VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.
Provide written certification of terminal illness for all subsequent benefit periods.
Review and update the plan of care with the attending physician and interdisciplinary group at least every 15 days, or more frequently as needed.
Perform and attest to face-to-face encounters within 30 days of the third and subsequent hospice benefit certification periods; a nurse practitioner may complete the encounter and report findings to the hospice physician.
Participate in quality assessment and performance improvement plans and monitoring to identify medical education needs in cooperation with the Director/Administrator, Quality Director, and/or Clinical Director.
Participate in QAPI teams and activities as needed.
Serve as a hospice champion in the community and promote and represent the program to relevant community audiences.