Hospice / Palliative Medicine Physician

Hospice / Palliative Medicine Physician at VITAS Healthcare summary :

The Medical Director of a hospice organization is responsible for overseeing the medical direction and care provided to patients and their families, ensuring quality standards are maintained. This role involves supervising team physicians, participating in quality improvement initiatives, and educating community healthcare providers about palliative medicine. The Medical Director also engages in management activities, including budget processes and insurance audits, while actively participating in clinical training and research.

The Medical director shall be a physician licensed to practice medicine in the state where the hospice is located. In his / her absence, the medical director shall designate another physician to serve as acting medical director.

The Medical director of VITAS fulfills two primary functions, each of which is expected to consume approximately one half of the time and work effort of the position :

• The Medical director has overall responsibility for medical direction of the care and treatment of patients and their families rendered by the hospice care team, and shall consult and cooperate with the patient's attending physician. The medical director provides physician direction and guidance to the hospice program, its physician employees, and other staff and volunteers to assure the maintenance of quality standards of care for patients and families.
• Educates practicing physicians and others engaged in health care services regarding the hospice program and its potential benefits to patients.

In fulfilling the two primary functions explained above, performs the following duties :

Assure appropriate evaluation and certification of terminal prognosis of patients.

Interview and participate in the hiring and contracting of team physicians with the general manager, patient care administrator and / or team manager.

Participate as an active member of the local / regional management team (includes budget process, strategic planning, etc.)

Educate community physicians on the principles of palliative medicine.

Assist in the development of and actively participate in clinical training for all hospice patient care and admissions personnel.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Keywords :

Hospice care, Palliative medicine, Medical director, Patient care, Chronic illness, Health education, Quality assurance, Symptom management, Healthcare leadership, Community outreach