HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE, INC,

POSITION DESCRIPTION OUTLINE

Physician

Exempt - Valdese, NC

POSITION SUMMARY:

Provide direct physician services to hospice and palliative care patients and coordinate clinical care

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• North Carolina
• Experience in palliative care medicine preferred

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Knowledge of and commitment to the hospice philosophy of care
• Ability to work on an interdisciplinary team
• Ability to work a flexible schedule
• Willingness to work with patients/families regardless of race, color, creed, age or sexual orientation. Must respect their beliefs and philosophy with an attitude of openness and receptiveness

Initial And Ongoing:

• Complete Hospice volunteer/staff training program
• Complete Hospice orientation program
• Obtain 12 hours of continuing education per year, including mandatory safety in-service
• Attend minimum of six staff meetings per year
• Attend IDG meeting in High Country
• Attend palliative care team meetings
• Continuing education hours required to maintain current physician license

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Adhere to strict confidentiality
• Adhere to safety policy and practices
• Complete physician log on a timely basis and submit to supervisor
• Cooperate with all government agencies and outside auditors
• Complete annual TB screening
• Assure all license, certifications, continuing education information and any other required documentation are submitted to human resources and kept current
• Maintain up-to-date documentation required and specified in Hospice policy and procedure
• Perform other duties assigned by medical director
• Serve as medical consultant to the board of directors, the chief executive officer and the director of nursing services in the implementation of the clinical program reflecting Hospice philosophy, mission, principles of practice and goals
• Serve as a consultant to Hospice staff and volunteers regarding clinical care issues
• Serve as liaison to attending physicians for consultation on medical management and resolution of conflicts over appropriate care to be prescribed and delivered under the professional and financial responsibility of the hospice program
• Participate with the director of nursing services or designee in determining initial and ongoing patient medical eligibility for patient care unit and home care program
• Perform hospital consults at Caldwell Memorial, Watauga Medical Center, Cannon Memorial and Ashe Memorial
• Perform home hospice consults in High Country and Caldwell
• Provide direct physician services to patients in the patient care unit and procedures
• Rotate 24-hour call of physician services and complete all on call duties
• Be available to make house calls as determined necessary by primary team
• Make and document all face to face visits for High Country hospice patients
• Complete Primary Plan of Care for assigned patients
• Complete death certificates as appropriate
• Complete initial certification and recertification of patient’s terminal condition in a timely manner to meet the Hospice Medicare Conditions of Participation
• Supervise and back up

High Country nurse practitioners

• Act as physician consultant for licensure, Medicare Conditions of Participation, and accreditation
• Serve as a resource regarding Hospice medical management and as a liaison to the medical community
• Assist with education/marketing with community providers

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Speech and hearing skills necessary for telephone interaction and face to face contact
• Visual acuity to read chart and physician’s orders
• Ability to stand and walk for long periods of time
• Manual dexterity to establish IV sites, manipulate tubing, and other patient care supplies
• With assistance, ability to lift and support an average of 150 lbs.
• Ability to sit as required to perform duties
• Ability to pull/push, and bend frequently
• Ability to squat, kneel, climb, and balance

Rev. 5/05, 4/09, 11/13, 9/18, 11/18