Come join this collaborative and innovative team. At Integritus Healthcare (formerly Berkshire Healthcare) you will enjoy WEEKLY pay, generous time off, exceptional health insurance, and the ability to grow in your career.
Pioneer Valley Hospice & Palliative Care (formerly Hospice of Franklin County) is growing into the Greater Springfield area and looking for experienced candidates interested in becoming part of our growing team! Our goal has always been to support and care for those living with life-limiting illnesses so they may live as fully and comfortably as possible.
We are committed to the core principles of hospice: to compassionately care for patients at end-of-life. We support the patient and caregivers by addressing physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and bereavement needs. We are dedicated to giving the very best care we have to offer to people wherever they are living – whether that be at home, in nursing homes, assisted living facilities or in the hospital.
Position Summary: This is a Full-time, contracted position. The Medical Director will have the overall responsibility for the medical component of the hospice program and will provide oversight of physician services by determining eligibility for hospice services, complementing attending physician care, acting as medical resource for the IDT, assuring continuity of hospice medical services and assuring appropriate measures are taken to control patient symptoms. The Medical Director will serve as a hospice champion – promoting and representing the program to physicians, physician groups, discharge planners, referral sources, community health organizations and potential donors as appropriate.
Essential Job Functions
- Confirmation of patient eligibility for hospice services upon admission and throughout care in accordance with hospice regulations and agency policy.
- Consults with community physicians about current and potential hospice patients.
- Confirms statement of prognosis for each patient admitted to PVHPC.
- Assists in the development of the hospice plan of care for each patient and family.
- Consults with attending physicians and hospice staff as requested, so that pain and symptom management for patients is effectively and expeditiously accomplished.
- Coordinates with attending physicians to provide medical care if physician us unable or unavailable.
- Responsible for providing 24 hours availability of physician coverage in accordance with hospice care policy. Occasional patient visits may be necessary.
- Offers advice and information to staff and referring physicians on medical interventions consistent with hospice philosophy and the plan of care.
- Serve as medical liaison with physicians in the community and promote referrals to hospice.
- Clinical supervision of Palliative Care NP with review of patient care management issues and outcomes.
- Assists in the planning and implementation of quality control programs quarterly, at minimum.
- Actively participates in patient IDT meetings with emphasis on the medical management of patient’s plan of care.
- Present education and information to members of the interdisciplinary team and/or medical community as needed.
- Participate in the review and development of practice protocols proposing the most current options for interventions.
- Participates in the resolution of interpersonal conflict and issues of clinical and ethical concern.
- Participate in research activities or special projects as assigned and needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
(Minimum qualifications will be considered required unless specifically stated otherwise)
Experience:
- Experience in hospice or home care preferred.
- Experience in acute care in an institutional setting preferred.
- Understands hospice philosophy, and issues of death/dying.
Education and Training:
(Acquired through formal education, outside study, training on jobs of lesser degree, or by any combination of these. May be expressed in terms of formal educational equivalents):
- A physician qualified by virtue of training and experience in the practice of medicine or osteopathy.
- Knowledge and well-developed skills in:
- Medicine, Oncology, Pharmacology,
- Pain and Symptom Control,
- Psychology of Loss
- Understanding and Acceptance of Hospice Care Principles.
License, Certification & Registration:
- Possesses and maintains current CPR Certification.
- Current Massachusetts licensure: Medical Doctor, without restriction
- Valid driver’s license
- Hospice and Palliative Care Certification preferred.
Other Requirements:
- Complies with accepted professional standards of practice.
- Ability to counsel patients and families in dealing with end of life issues.
- Understands principles of pain and symptom management.
- Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication, and organization skills.
- Strong observation skills, judgment skills, and problem-solving skills.
- Experience working with an Interdisciplinary Team preferred.
Working Conditions
- Uniform / Dress Requirements (Beyond those requirements outlined within Policy No. C:3-015.1):None
Working Location/Conditions:
- Work space is assigned in the Greenfield office and is a busy, professional office with a moderate level of noise, activity and interaction with others. Travel may be required using the employee’s vehicle. The majority of hours will be spent attending meetings in the office or in community, with occasional visits to patient/family homes where space, climate, facilities and access may vary.
- May be exposed to extremes of heat and cold in all weather conditions. Must drive in various weather conditions on roads in varying repair.
- May be exposed to infections and contagious diseases. Contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances. May be exposed to/occasionally exposed to patient elements. Subject to varying and unpredictable situations. Handles emergency or crisis situations. Travel required. OSHA exposure category:
