Hospice Physician Designee

Gentiva Hospice•Palm Desert, CA

About The Position

The Hospice Physician Designee provides clinical oversight of hospice physicians and supports compassionate, goal-directed care for hospice patients. The role collaborates with interdisciplinary teams, oversees regulatory compliance, and guides quality improvement efforts to enhance patient outcomes. Responsibilities span multiple locations and include physician supervision, patient eligibility certification, clinical consultations, on-call coverage coordination, documentation, medication oversight, and engagement with hospice leadership and community partners. This is a job notification only. The Hospice Physician Designee will not be employed by Gentiva and will invoice Gentiva for services rendered. The position requires a current California medical license, at least two years of full-time supervisory or managerial experience in hospice, home health, or palliative care within the past five years, no disciplinary action within the past seven years, and no concurrent employment with other hospices. Travel of 15–25% may be required based on program needs. The position is identified as safety-sensitive.

Requirements

Doctorate degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from an accredited medical school.
Current State of California medical license; the qualifications also specify a current and unrestricted medical license in the practicing state.
At least two years of full-time supervisory or managerial experience in a hospice, home health agency, or providing palliative care to patients within the last five years.
No disciplinary action within the last seven years.
Must not have concurrent employment with other hospices.
Board certification in a specialty recognized by ABMS or AOA-BOS.
Valid National Provider Identifier (NPI) and DEA registration for controlled substances.
Current Medicare Provider Enrollment (PECOS) and Medicaid certification if required.
Ability to travel 15–25% based on program needs.
CPR and TB clearance required.
Extensive knowledge of hospice and palliative care principles, regulations, and best practices.
Leadership and mentorship skills to inspire interdisciplinary teams and improve patient care.
Strong organizational skills to manage multiple priorities and regulatory requirements.
Compassionate communication and empathy toward patients and families facing end-of-life situations.
Proficiency in healthcare compliance, quality improvement, and ethical considerations.
Ability to collaborate effectively with attending physicians, staff, and community healthcare providers.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Positive reputation in the medical community and commitment to collaborative practice.
Flexibility and adaptability to dynamic healthcare environments.
Commitment to maintaining professional standards and compliance with hospice regulations.

Nice To Haves

Board certification in a specialty recognized by ABMS or AOA-BOS, preferably primary care.
Hospice and Palliative Medicine board certification and/or Hospice Medical Director Certification Board certification.

Responsibilities

Oversee and ensure quality medical services delivered by hospice physicians across multiple locations.
Certify and recertify hospice eligibility, ensuring timely compliance with Medicare and other regulations.
Conduct and supervise face-to-face patient visits, including home consultations for complex cases.
Lead physician recruitment, training, supervision, and performance evaluation.
Coordinate 24/7/365 on-call physician coverage with hospice physicians.
Maintain accurate, timely medical documentation and support regulatory reviews.
Participate in interdisciplinary group (IDG) meetings to coordinate patient care and medication management.
Monitor pharmacy utilization and ensure appropriate medication prescribing and administration.
Collaborate with hospice leadership on policy development, compliance, and quality assessment and performance improvement (QAPI) initiatives.
Serve as a community liaison, enhancing hospice visibility and partnerships with healthcare providers.
Support educational programs for staff, physicians, and community partners.

Benefits

Competitive pay.
401(k) with company match.
Career advancement opportunities.
National and local recognition programs.
Teammate Assistance Fund.
Medical, dental, and vision insurance for full-time associates.
Mileage reimbursement or fleet vehicle program for full-time associates.
Generous paid time off and 7 paid holidays for full-time associates.
Wellness programs, including telemedicine, diabetes management, and joint and spine concierge care, for full-time associates.
Education support and tuition assistance for full-time associates.
Free continuing education units (CEUs) for full-time associates.
Company-paid life and long-term disability insurance for full-time associates.
Voluntary benefits including pet, critical illness, accident, and long-term care coverage for full-time associates.