Hospice Director

Tufts Medicine•Lowell, MA

About The Position

Under the direction of the Vice President/Chief Clinical Officer, this position is responsible for all community and hospice house performance metrics and program functions that include ensuring the quality of all services to meet/exceed industry standards; the agency meets/exceeds budgeted ADC goals for growth, GIP revenue, operating income and patient satisfaction. This role focuses on providing professional and nonprofessional nursing care services in accordance with physician orders. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Home Care Nurse duties: Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates the care needs of a designated group of patients or provides nursing care and identified clinical support tasks within the scope of practice for achievement of the patient's plan of care as directed. Provides professional nursing care to patients. Requires a nursing license. A professional individual contributor role that may direct the work of other lower level professionals or manage processes and programs. The majority of time is spent overseeing the design, implementation or delivery of processes, programs and policies using specialized knowledge and skills typically acquired through advanced education. A role that manages experienced professionals who exercise latitude and independence in assignments. Responsibilities typically include: policy and strategy implementation for short-term results (1 year or less), problems faced are difficult to moderately complex, and influences others outside of own job area regarding policies, practices and procedures.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN).
Massachusetts RN Licensure.
Three (3) years of experience in community hospice clinical operations and management.
Experience in progressive healthcare management.
Standing and walking for extensive periods of time.
Occasionally requires lifting and carrying items weighing up to 10 pounds.
Frequent exposure to hazardous chemicals, sick patients, bodily substances, noise and possible exposure to radiation, lasers, electric shock, etc.
Regularly exposed to the risk of bloodborne diseases and other transmissible infections.
Contact with patients under wide variety of circumstances.
Subject to varying and unpredictable situations.
Ability to handle emergency and crisis situations.
Subjected to irregular hours.
May have contact with hazardous materials.
Strong leadership and emotional intelligence skills.
Tact, diplomacy, and sensitivity in dealing with customer and staff relations.
Maintains current knowledge of, and ensures adherence to: laws; regulations; Medicare COPs; Joint Commission standards; standards of practice, and organization's policies and procedures.
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Good analytical and budget management skills.
Able to provide own transportation for job related meetings and appointments outside the office.
Understands operations of organization.
Promotes effective change.
Exercises independent judgment.
Ability to delegate.
Understands organizational human behavior.
Utilizes critical thinking skills

Nice To Haves

Master of Science in Business Administration (MBA) or related field.

Responsibilities

Works with Medical Director to deliver optimal hospice care.
Ensures contribution from all IDT members in delivery of hospice care for each patient.
Maintains measurement monitors of critical functions and corrects systems to ensure identified thresholds are met.
Implements corrective actions to improve clinical performance, workflow and quality. Reviews Incident Reports and complaints; conducts quality assurance assessments; recommends corrective action.
Maintains current knowledge of HealthWyse and uses software effectively to monitor operations. Monitors revenue and expenses including cost per patient day (CPPD) and implements corrective action when needed.
Hires, coaches, develops, and monitors staff productivity and performance. Address and documents employee performance issues in a timely manner.
Utilizes team building skills to promote optimal team performance and support.
Prepares and delivers balanced and professional performance evaluations in a timely manner.
Ensures retention of qualified staff. When staff exit, utilize exit interviews to prompt changes.
Works with VP to administer indigent and grant monies when available.
Works with Volunteer Coordinator to meet the needs of Hospice patients.
Assists with DPH and Joint Commission site visits.
Participates in development and revising of policies and procedures when needed.
Oversees planning and implementation of CQI and QA programs for Hospice including annual plan based on clinical, patient satisfaction and operational issues.
Reports Compliance concerns to the CEO or Chief Compliance Officer when applicable.
Promotes hospice services within the community, develops effective relationships with referral sources, and maintains liaison with community agencies, municipal, financial, and spiritual resources.
Works collaboratively with the Vice President of External Relations to develop a public relations and community education programs. Remains current on publicly reported outcome metrics.
Works with the VP/CFO regarding accounting, collections, cash flow, budget and other balance sheet areas. Ensures that all contractual agreements related to the Hospice Program are honored. Prepares business opportunity/cost-benefit plans as appropriate.
Acts as a team player with management staff to handle problems in a proactive manner and maintains a positive and supportive attitude while maintaining appropriate management boundaries. Ensures coordination/cooperation horizontally and vertically throughout the organization.
Works collaboratively with Performance Improvement Coordinator to ensure continual improvement in performance.
Ensures compliance within guidelines set forth by regulatory agencies (JCAHO, DPH, ERISA etc.) and demonstrates compliance with Home Health Foundation policies and procedures.
Seeks innovative and alternative ways to deliver care so as to contain costs and maximize reimbursement.
Establishes visit and patient/staff standards against which to measure performance and staffing need.
Utilizes problem solving skills in maximizing staff effectiveness, efficiencies, and cost effectiveness.
Communicates expectations to employees in a clear manner including updates and changes.