MD Care Hospice is looking for a Medical Director experienced in end-of-life care.

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

The Medical Director provides patient care and support and supervision of the medical care provided by other Hospice and Palliative Care (MDC) clinicians. This person is an essential partner in compliance, quality assurance and performance improvement activities along with the day to day operations of MDC. This includes acting as a medical resource to the interdisciplinary group, assuring continuity of hospice medical services, and assuring appropriate measures to control patient symptoms.

The Medical Director will serve as an ambassador – promoting and representing the program to physicians, physician groups, community health organizations, potential donors, and other organizations in our service area as appropriate.

Job Details and Essential Functions:

The Essential duties include but are not limited to:

Reviewing clinical information to determine initial eligibility for services pursuant to Medicare Conditions of Participation (COP).

Visiting, or ensuring that another physician or an advanced practice clinician (Nurse Practitioner) visits patients at the end of their second certification period and at the end of every certification period thereafter to ensure that they continue to qualify for services.

Attending weekly IDT meetings and working collaboratively with other IDT members to develop, review, and update the patient’s plan of care on an as needed basis.

Visiting and providing medical care to patients for the relief of symptoms related to the patient’s terminal diagnosis at the request of and in coordination with the Interdisciplinary Team.

Assuring that the medical care provided by clinicians meets the medical needs of the patient and is consistent with the patient’s plan of care.

Acting as the patient’s attending physician when requested by the patient or patient’s representative if the patient is not competent.

When not acting as the patient’s attending physician, consulting with and coordinating care with the patient’s attending physician.

Being available for telehealth consultation 24-hours a day during scheduled on-call shifts.

Documentation:

The Medical Director provides timely and accurate documentation of all services provided to Hospice patients, including but not limited to:

Entering chart notes and clinical findings in the patient’s Electronic medical record within 24 hours of each visit.

Providing a written certification of terminal illness based on documented clinical findings before a patient is enrolled in Hospice.

Providing written recertification of terminal illness based on documented clinical findings for patients enrolled in hospice at intervals specified in the Medicare Conditions of Participation.

Compliance and Quality Improvement:

The Medical Director plays a pivotal role in the agency’s compliance with state and federal regulations and quality assurance and performance improvement. Essential duties include but are not limited to:

Being responsible for the quality of overall medical care of Hospice and Palliative patients by clinicians and assuring that all clinicians follow evidence-based practices.

Participating in ongoing continuing medical education related to palliative and end of life care.

Suggesting in-service training and clinical pathways for hospice clinicians to assure that medical care is consistent with professional guidelines for hospice and palliative medicine.

In collaboration with the Quality and Staff Education Coordinator, participating in the development and implementation of MD Care Hospice policies and practices relating to the care provided by the IDT.

Maintaining expertise in, and ensuring compliance with, the Medicare Conditions of Participation and other standards that guide the provision of hospice services.

Complying with all of the provisions of the Compliance Plan and the Code of Conduct.

Meeting the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

Knowledge and Skills:

Required

Minimum of four years of experience as a physician within the past five years in hospice, home health agency, or hospital.

Experience in hospice or palliative care and/or training in end of life care.

Desired

Public speaking, developing relationships with identified partners, groups, businesses with whom MD Care Hospice may have or need to establish affiliation.

Education and Experience:

Required

Graduate of an accredited medical school or school of osteopathy.

Desired

Computer skills.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: Salary adjusted based on census scale

Medical specialties:

Hospice & Palliative Medicine

Schedule:

On call

License/Certification:

California DEA (Required)

California Medical License (Required)