Hospice and Palliative Care Physician

Want to join our Team? We are currently looking for a Hospice and Palliative Care Physician who is responsible for working in concert with Hospice of the Chesapeake’s (HOC’s) other Hospice and Palliative Care Physicians, while under the supervision of the Medical Director. In addition, the Hospice and Palliative Care Physician provides expertise in the delivery of hospice and palliative care services through the referral process, admission of the patient, plan of care, and throughout the course of service.

Coverage Area: Charles and Prince Georges County

Status: 40 hours/week

Salary: Competitive, commensurate with experience, education and credentialing

 

Main Responsibilities:

• Provides assistance to the Hospice Medical Director, Chief Medical Officer and Director of Medical Services in ensuring staff and department compliance with organization, local, state and federal laws, regulations, standards, and requirements of regulatory and accreditation agencies (e.g. JC/DOH/CMS), including those governing professional practice, and contractual arrangements (e.g. grants).
• Provides medical expertise to Chief Medical Officer and Director of Medical Services in effectively overseeing preparations for surveys, administrative review and/or peer reviews and in maintaining standards and procedures which comply with licensure and accreditation requirements. Assists in implementing corrective action required as a result of survey/review findings.
• Provides input to Chief Medical Officer and Director of Medical Services in developing and implementing department policies and procedures and ensuring consistencies with organization policies.
• Effectively participates in Quality/Performance Improvement (QI/PI) programs in collaboration with supervisor. Bases QI/PI plan decisions on trends and needs and seeks staff input. Ensures that appropriate tools are in place to achieve QI/PI goals.
• Demonstrates knowledge of regulations, policies and procedures applicable to the practice of hospice and palliative care. Confirms patient eligibility for hospice services in accordance with admission/recertification criteria and per hospice policy. This includes the CTI (certificate of terminal illness) and the attestation statement for each patient admitted under their responsibility.

• Ensures that medical devices are provided in a safe manner and that staff are oriented to and are knowledgeable of hospice-wide and departmental safety policies and procedures.

• Makes home/resident, hospital or HOC facility (i.e. ICC) visits to provide patient/family medical support and consultation to attending physicians and interdisciplinary team. Provides F2F visits for team patients and as assigned. Staff location assignments are based on patient and service need and medical team availability.
• Serves as a liaison with existing and potential sources of referral, including physicians, discharge planners, and third-party payers, by education regarding end-of-life care, hospice capabilities, pain and symptom management.
• Educates the medical community of our service area about the value of hospice and palliative care. Functions as a liaison when appropriate with the medical community by contacting physicians who are new referral sources, arranging visits to the medical staff of service area hospitals and offering programs and materials for physician education and providing consultation to attending physicians in the area of pain management and symptom control.
• Attends and participates in interdisciplinary (IDT) meetings where assigned. Collaborates with the clinical manager to assure IDT meetings are productive and comprehensive in addressing patient/family needs and that efficient participation of all team members is encouraged.
• The Hospice and Palliative Care Physician provides staff education pertinent to specific patient diagnoses and hospice and Supportive Care issues.

 

 

What We Offer:

• A rewarding and fulfilling career with a company that values your contributions.
• Competitive salary and generous paid time off, including 18 vacation days, 10 sick days, and 8 paid holidays in your first year of employment with HOC.
• Educational assistance to pursue professional development, additional certifications and degree programs.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage, company-paid Short-Term Disability and Life Insurance, and available accident and critical illness coverage.

 

About Hospice of the Chesapeake

At Hospice of the Chesapeake, we create meaningful experiences for those in the communities we serve who are experiencing serious advanced illness and loss. We believe truly meaningful experiences come from a partnership between highly skilled and compassionate professionals, our healthcare partners and the patient and family with a primary focus on living each day to the fullest extent possible. We develop care plans to minimize symptoms, articulate what matters most, and remember that each moment matters.

 

We are Your Hometown Hospice! Over the last 45 years, our team has cared for more than 50,000 hospice patients and nearly 100,000 family members.

 

To learn more please visit us at hospicechesapeake.org or find us on social media.

 

Your Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited school of medicine or osteopathy. Current Maryland physician’s license required.
• Minimum two years of experience in the practice of medicine required. Experience in a hospice and palliative care setting highly desirable.
• Board certified in hospice and palliative care or certification as a Hospice Medical Director within 2-3 years of employment.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the philosophy of hospice care.
• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent customer service philosophy and skills required.
• Current knowledge of management/administration; applicable federal, state, local regulations and statutes governing hospice operations and patient care and adequate professional development to maintain licensure.
• Ability to independently take initiative and exercise good judgment in decision-making.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure and with attention to details and deadlines and to simultaneously handle multiple projects.
• Professional maturity that daily sets the tone in carrying out the responsibilities of the position. High degree of honesty, integrity and confidentiality.
• Demonstrated flexibility and willingness to undertake new responsibilities as assigned. .
• Competency in computer skills, including EMRs.

 

In accordance with Hospice of the Chesapeake’s commitment to leadership and industry-leading care, we require that all employees be vaccinated against COVID and influenza, as well as being screened for TB upon hire and annually thereafter. Documented and supported requests for religious and medical accommodation may be considered but may not be approved in all circumstances.