HOSPICE PHYSICIAN (MD/DO)
JOB DESCRITPION: HOSPICE TEAM PHYSICIAN
POSITION SUMMARY
The Team Physician assumes responsibility for the medical component of the hospice's patient care team. He/she provides medical direction, in collaboration with the Hospice Medical Director, patient's personal attending physician and in concert with the hospice team. Acts as a consultant to
the interdisciplinary team and to the attending physician with regard to pain and symptom management. Serves as a liaison with the physicians in
the community, develops and coordinates procedures for the provision of emergency care. He/she also meet the general medical needs of the patients to the extent that these needs are not met by the attending physician. The Team Physician reviews patients' eligibility for hospice services.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Graduate of an accredited school of medicine with a degree as a doctor of medicine or osteopathy.
Credentials: Current license within California. Possess a DEA number for prescribing scheduled II drugs. Board Certification in Hospice and Palliative Medicine desired.
Experience: Experience in hospice or palliative care in end-of-life care including effective pain management, symptom control and care of
terminally ill patients.
Core Competencies: High-level clinical skills, knowledgeable in the hospice concept of care, respect/receptivity by physician peers and the ability and
willingness to act as liaisons from the hospice to other physicians. Ability to work with dying patients and their families.Possesses a sympathetic attitude toward caring for the hospice patient and demonstrates positive communication skills in interacting with other members of the hospice team.
RESPONSIBILITIES &FUNCTIONS:
1.Certifies the patient medical eligibility for hospice care.
2. Provides medical supervision of and participation with the other members of the hospice interdisciplinary team.
3. Provides consultations on patient care and management to attending physicians.
4. Serves as an educator and hospice public relations officer to other physicians, hospitals and medical personnel.
5. Participates in care plan development evaluations and revision.
6. Certifies patient care plans or revisions.
7. Provides direct patient care for those patients without a personal physician.
8. Reviews current data from the referral source in order to validate diagnosis and terminal prognosis established by the attending or primary physician.
9. Reviews the clinical record and performs a medical examination to confirm the appropriateness of hospice services.
10. Assists in the development and implementation of the plan of care that is coordinated with the primary physician.
11. Insures the availability of physician services and the provision of a substitute in the absence of the primary physician.
12. Provides the necessary medical management, in consultation with the primary physician, consistent with the plan of care and the patient’s current needs.
13. Writes prescriptions if attending physician is unavailable.
14. Signs death certificates if attending physician is unavailable or unwilling.
15. Provides visits, as appropriate, and dictated by patient needs.
16. Observes for safety hazards in the patient’s and organization's environments and takes appropriate steps to reduce or eliminate them.