Hospice Physician

Goodwin Living•Alexandria, VA

7d•$225,000 - $250,000

About The Position

The Hospice Physician creates and oversees the medical component of each patient’s plan of care, providing medical oversight and working with the interdisciplinary team to deliver high-quality hospice care. The physician may serve as attending physician for patients without a primary physician or when other attending physicians are unavailable, and acts as Medical Director in the Medical Director’s absence. The role includes direct clinical practice, medically necessary in-person or appropriate telehealth visits, and travel throughout the service area. The physician contributes to care planning, pain and symptom management, clinical protocols, quality improvement, and community education. They collaborate with patients, families, attending physicians, and interdisciplinary colleagues while respecting patient autonomy and confidentiality.

Requirements

Licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy.
Demonstrated willingness and ability to participate in direct clinical practice.
Demonstrated understanding of hospice philosophy and pain and symptom management.
Ability to work within diverse social and economic situations without imposing personal values.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with team members, patients, families, and providers.
Ability to contribute as part of a collaborative team.
Valid driver’s license, insured automobile meeting state or organizational requirements, and willingness to travel throughout the service area.

Nice To Haves

Board certified or board eligible in Hospice and Palliative Medicine.

Responsibilities

Review medical records and certify patient eligibility for hospice care upon admission and at the beginning of each subsequent benefit period.
Serve as attending physician for patients without a primary physician when requested by the patient or medical power of attorney; provide required care orders and sign death certificates.
Act as attending physician when other attending physicians are absent, ensuring access to medical care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and consultation for interdisciplinary team members.
Act as Medical Director when the Medical Director is absent.
Coordinate medical care and review patient medication lists for accuracy, safety, and drug interactions.
Participate in interdisciplinary development, evaluation, and revision of plans of care during and outside IDG meetings as needed.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members and attending physicians to resolve care conflicts and ethical dilemmas.
Make medically necessary in-person visits, use telehealth when appropriate, and assist with face-to-face encounters as needed.
Provide leadership in pain and symptom management.
Respond to texts and calls within 15 minutes and emails within 24 hours.
Participate in developing standing orders, clinical protocols, policies, procedures, forms, quality improvement monitors, and service programs as requested.
Represent the hospice program through routine communication with physician colleagues and advocate for hospice care.
Participate in community education programs for healthcare professionals and the public.
Respect the autonomy and confidentiality rights of patients and families.
Pursue professional growth, including receiving constructive performance feedback.
Participate in departmental or agency quality improvement activities and management meetings as requested.
Perform job duties independently and responsibly on a consistent basis.
Maintain a valid driver’s license, an insured and well-maintained automobile, and willingness to travel throughout the service area.
Perform other duties as assigned.