Medical Director

Job Description

Position Summary

The Medical Director is responsible for modeling the 3 Company values of Compassion, Integrity, and Excellence, and for promoting the Hospice Compassus philosophy, using the 6 Pillars of success as the foundation. S / he is responsible for upholding the Code of Ethical Conduct and for promoting positive working relationships within the Program, between the Program and other Company departments, and between the Program and all external stakeholders. The Medical Director assumes overall responsibility for the medical component of the hospice's patient care program including all multiple sites attached to the hospice's certification number. S / he does not replace the patient's primary physician, but serves in a consultative, supportive role. S / he functions as a liaison between the medical community and Hospice Compassus. The Medical Director provides support to both corporate and agency staff intercedes with attending physicians and facilities provides community and physician education and development. S / he is responsible for applying the rules and regulations of state and federal regulatory agencies and other certified agencies.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Supports corporate policies, goals, and objectives.
• Promotes a positive working relationship between corporate and agency personnel.
• Provides support and consultation to both corporate and agency personnel.
• Attends and participates in corporate staff meetings.
• Promotes hospice philosophy.
• Communicates identified needs and potential solutions to supervisor.
• Assumes overall responsibility for the medical component of the hospice’s patient care program including all multiple sites that might be attached to the hospice’s certification number.
• Develops proficiency in Clinical Services activities including, but not limited to Medicare / Medicaid regulations, corporate policies, provider contracts, and quality improvement.
• Makes determination regarding admission to hospice while considering (1)
• The primary, terminal condition.
• Related diagnosis(es).
• Current subjective and objective medical findings.
• Current medication and treatment orders.
• Information about the medical management of any of the patient’s conditions unrelated to the terminal illness.
• Provides written certification and composes narrative statement of eligibility(after determination of appropriateness) that it is anticipated that the patient’s life expectancy is six months or less if the illness runs its normal course.
• Provides medical guidance and expertise in decisions regarding patient care.
• Attends weekly team meetings.
• Reviews clinical information and composes narrative statement of eligibility before the recertification period for each patient and participates in recertification at appropriate intervals, as specified by law.
• Meets the general medical needs of the patients to the extent that these needs are not met by the attending physician.
• Consults with the interdisciplinary team during a crisis situation when primary physician cannot be reached.
• Makes home visits to patients if needed.
• Functions as liaison between the medical community and the hospice.
• Promotes hospice philosophy of care in medical community.
• Offers insight from the medical community to the hospice staff.
• Consults with patient’s primary physician regarding appropriateness of specific treatments and procedures.
• Assists with physician and facility communication and public relations.
• Actively collaborates regarding the QAPI activities of the agency.
• Develops recommendations for resolution for the PIP resulting in agency intervention.
• Inputs into policy / procedure formulation.
• Oversees Associate Medical Director(s) or other hospice physicians, if any.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and / or Experience

Must be a licensed Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopath in the state of employment.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from patients, patient’s family, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and / or boards of directors.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Office software.

Other Qualifications

Understanding and acceptance of hospice philosophy. Excellent communication skills. Completion of medical school. Must be of high integrity including maintenance of confidential information including all patient records.

Certifications, Licenses and Registrations

Licensed as a Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopath in the state of practice. A valid driver's license and auto liability insurance.

Other Skills And Abilities

Strong leadership, organizational and interpersonal skills. Ability to work a flexible schedule, to include some evenings and weekends. Ability to understand, read, write and speak English.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a colleague to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

While performing the duties of this Job, the colleague is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The colleague is frequently required to walk. The colleague is occasionally required to stand and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The colleague must regularly lift and / or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and / or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and / or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a colleague encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

There will be possible exposure to infectious diseases. Circumstances can be unpredictable in patient's or family's home. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. Frequent driving is required.