Affinity Health Management
Job Description Summary
The hospice Medical Director will have overall responsibility for the medical component of the hospice program, acting as a medical resource to the interdisciplinary group, assuring continuity of hospice medical services, controlling patient symptoms, and complementing attending physician care. The Medical Director will serve as a hospice champion—promoting and representing the program to physicians, physician groups, discharge planners, other referral sources, community health organizations, and potential donors.
Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities
Providing overall medical direction to the program.
Ensuring that the organization’s policies, bylaws, rules, and regulations are followed.
Adhering to Medicare Conditions of Participation, accrediting body requirements, and federal and state statutes governing service provision.
Participating as an active member of the Interdisciplinary group to establish and review policies and procedures related to patient care, emergency procedures, and infection control.
Developing and reviewing criteria to monitor the quality of education programs for physicians, personnel, and volunteers in cooperation with the Executive Director/Administrator and Director of Clinical Services.
Evaluating quality assessment and performance improvement (QAPI) plans and identifying medical education needs; actively participating in QAPI meetings and Performance Improvement Projects (PIPs).
Proposing organizational programs to address identified needs with the assistance of specialty consultants.
Working with leadership after program implementation to determine impact on quality of care.
Reviewing and developing treatment protocols and proposing current intervention options.
Assisting in evaluating protocols and procedures for quality and cost outcomes.
Community Liaison/Education
Serving as a hospice champion in the community.
Acting as a liaison to community physicians by providing consultation and education regarding admission criteria for hospice and palliative care.
Educating practicing physicians and other healthcare professionals about the hospice program and its benefits to patients.
Patient Care
Reviewing clinical information for each hospice patient before certification or recertification, providing written certification that life expectancy is 6 months or less if the illness follows its normal course.
Considering terminal condition, related diagnoses, current medical findings, medication and treatment orders, and management of unrelated conditions.
Establishing a plan of care with the attending physician and interdisciplinary group prior to official certification.
Performing medical examinations to confirm appropriateness of hospice services when required.
Reviewing referral source data to validate diagnosis and limiting prognosis.
Conducting face‑to‑face encounters within 30 days of the third and subsequent certification periods and documenting these encounters.
Consulting with attending physicians on pain and symptom management.
Managing oversight of patient medications and treatments.
Acting as a medical resource to the interdisciplinary group and attending meetings.
Updating the plan of care in collaboration with the physician at least every 15 days.
Documenting care in the patient’s clinical record to evidence progression of end‑stage disease.
Serving as primary physician for patients if the referring or attending physician relinquishes care or is unavailable.
Ensuring availability of physician services and providing substitutes during absences.
Maintaining current knowledge of research and trends in hospice care, pain/symptom management.
Demonstrating effective communication and counseling skills with patients and families regarding end‑of‑life issues.
Supervision
Conducting periodic reviews of clinical care quality and documentation of physician visits.
Ensuring proper physician participation in the Interdisciplinary Group and support of patient care in the field.
Participating in the selection, onboarding, and orientation of new Associate Medical Directors, physicians, and physician extenders.
Resolving interpersonal conflicts and clinical or ethical concerns.
Maintaining 24/7 physician coverage for hospice patients and families.
Communication
Completing, maintaining, and submitting accurate clinical notes regarding patient condition and care.
Collaborating with organizational personnel to support patient care.
Assisting patients, families, and caregivers in ensuring continuity of care.
Attending interdisciplinary group meetings.
Additional Duties
Participating in on‑call duties as defined by the on‑call policy.
Maintaining professional growth through continuing medical education and in‑service classes.
Fulfilling requested or accepted attending physician responsibilities.
Actively participating in QAPI teams and activities.
Performing additional duties as delegated.
Position Qualifications
Licensed as a Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy in the state without restriction or subject to disciplinary action.
Maintains DEA registration and all controlled‑substance authorizations with state and federal authorities.
Has experience in hospice or palliative care and/or training in end‑of‑life care; board certification in Hospice and Palliative Care preferred.
Participates in ongoing medical education related to hospice and palliative care.
Not excluded from Medicare/Medicaid or any federally funded program.
Minimum of one year experience in health care (hospice preferred); understanding of hospice philosophy, death/dying issues, pain management, and LCD guidelines.
Demonstrates strong verbal and written communication and organizational skills.
Must be a licensed driver with a vehicle that is insured and in good working order.
Knowledge of business management, governmental regulations, and CHAP standards is preferred.
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Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities
Providing overall medical direction to the program.
Ensuring that the organization’s policies, bylaws, rules, and regulations are followed.
Adhering to Medicare Conditions of Participation, accrediting body requirements, and federal and state statutes governing service provision.
Participating as an active member of the Interdisciplinary group to establish and review policies and procedures related to patient care, emergency procedures, and infection control.
Developing and reviewing criteria to monitor the quality of education programs for physicians, personnel, and volunteers in cooperation with the Executive Director/Administrator and Director of Clinical Services.
Evaluating quality assessment and performance improvement (QAPI) plans and identifying medical education needs; actively participating in QAPI meetings and Performance Improvement Projects (PIPs).
Proposing organizational programs to address identified needs with the assistance of specialty consultants.
Working with leadership after program implementation to determine impact on quality of care.
Reviewing and developing treatment protocols and proposing current intervention options.
Assisting in evaluating protocols and procedures for quality and cost outcomes.
Community Liaison/Education
Serving as a hospice champion in the community.
Acting as a liaison to community physicians by providing consultation and education regarding admission criteria for hospice and palliative care.
Educating practicing physicians and other healthcare professionals about the hospice program and its benefits to patients.
Patient Care
Reviewing clinical information for each hospice patient before certification or recertification, providing written certification that life expectancy is 6 months or less if the illness follows its normal course.
Considering terminal condition, related diagnoses, current medical findings, medication and treatment orders, and management of unrelated conditions.
Establishing a plan of care with the attending physician and interdisciplinary group prior to official certification.
Performing medical examinations to confirm appropriateness of hospice services when required.
Reviewing referral source data to validate diagnosis and limiting prognosis.
Conducting face‑to‑face encounters within 30 days of the third and subsequent certification periods and documenting these encounters.
Consulting with attending physicians on pain and symptom management.
Managing oversight of patient medications and treatments.
Acting as a medical resource to the interdisciplinary group and attending meetings.
Updating the plan of care in collaboration with the physician at least every 15 days.
Documenting care in the patient’s clinical record to evidence progression of end‑stage disease.
Serving as primary physician for patients if the referring or attending physician relinquishes care or is unavailable.
Ensuring availability of physician services and providing substitutes during absences.
Maintaining current knowledge of research and trends in hospice care, pain/symptom management.
Demonstrating effective communication and counseling skills with patients and families regarding end‑of‑life issues.
Supervision
Conducting periodic reviews of clinical care quality and documentation of physician visits.
Ensuring proper physician participation in the Interdisciplinary Group and support of patient care in the field.
Participating in the selection, onboarding, and orientation of new Associate Medical Directors, physicians, and physician extenders.
Resolving interpersonal conflicts and clinical or ethical concerns.
Maintaining 24/7 physician coverage for hospice patients and families.
Communication
Completing, maintaining, and submitting accurate clinical notes regarding patient condition and care.
Collaborating with organizational personnel to support patient care.
Assisting patients, families, and caregivers in ensuring continuity of care.
Attending interdisciplinary group meetings.
Additional Duties
Participating in on‑call duties as defined by the on‑call policy.
Maintaining professional growth through continuing medical education and in‑service classes.
Fulfilling requested or accepted attending physician responsibilities.
Actively participating in QAPI teams and activities.
Performing additional duties as delegated.
Position Qualifications
Licensed as a Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy in the state without restriction or subject to disciplinary action.
Maintains DEA registration and all controlled‑substance authorizations with state and federal authorities.
Has experience in hospice or palliative care and/or training in end‑of‑life care; board certification in Hospice and Palliative Care preferred.
Participates in ongoing medical education related to hospice and palliative care.
Not excluded from Medicare/Medicaid or any federally funded program.
Minimum of one year experience in health care (hospice preferred); understanding of hospice philosophy, death/dying issues, pain management, and LCD guidelines.
Demonstrates strong verbal and written communication and organizational skills.
Must be a licensed driver with a vehicle that is insured and in good working order.
Knowledge of business management, governmental regulations, and CHAP standards is preferred.
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