Medical Director

JOB SUMMARY: The Medical Director is a licensed physician (a Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy) who organizes and assumes overall responsibility for the medical component of the hospice's patient care programs. When the Medical Director is not available, a physician designated by the hospice assumes the same responsibilities as the Medical Director.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Supervise all hospice physician employees and contract hospice physicians
• Act as a medical resource person to the IDT/IDG and attend IDT/IDG conferences
• Assure overall continuity of the hospice medical services
• Assure that the patient receives appropriate measures to control uncomfortable symptoms
• Collaborate with the IDT/IDG to ensure that the medical needs of the patient are met and provide oversight of the plan of care
• Certify that the patient meets the medical criteria for hospice admission based upon available diagnostic and prognostic indicators, related diagnosis(es) if any, 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
• Collaborate with the patient's attending physician to develop and update the patient's plan of care, to identify needs not met by the attending physician, and to ensure pain and symptom management and control
• Re-certify patients, as appropriate, for continuation of Medicare Hospice Benefit at appropriate levels of care
• Perform face to face visits as needed for recertification and symptom management
• Serve as a medical resource to hospice staff, patients, families and attending physicians
• regarding pain and symptom control management
• Ensure the provision of direct medical services to patients either directly or through arrangements, as appropriate, in the absence of the patient's attending physician
• Participate in plan of care development and managing oversight of medications and treatment
• Document care provided in the patient's clinical record providing evidence of progression of the end-state-disease process
• Maintain current knowledge of the latest research and trends in hospice care and pain/symptom management
• Participate in performance improvement programs, as indicated
• Provide consultation and education to colleagues and attending physicians related to admission criteria for hospice and palliative care
• Review and develop protocols for treatment and propose the most current options for interventions
• Demonstrate knowledge in communications and counseling of the patient/family in dealing with end-of-life issues
• Participate in resolution of interpersonal conflict and issues of clinical and ethical concern
• Participate in the development and updating of patient care policies and emergency procedures
• Act as a liaison to physicians in the community