Hospice Physician (MD/DO)
Position Summary
The Hospice Physician provides medical oversight and direct patient care for individuals with life-limiting illnesses, focusing on comfort, symptom management, and quality of life. This role emphasizes compassionate, patient- and family-centered care while collaborating with an interdisciplinary hospice team to support patients throughout the end-of-life journey.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide medical evaluation and ongoing care for hospice patients in home, inpatient, or facility-based settings
- Manage pain and complex symptoms including dyspnea, nausea, anxiety, delirium, and terminal agitation
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary hospice team members including nursing, social work, chaplaincy, and therapy services
- Certify and recertify hospice eligibility in accordance with regulatory requirements
- Develop and oversee individualized plans of care focused on comfort and quality of life
- Participate in family meetings and goals-of-care discussions
- Provide clinical guidance and support to hospice nursing staff and advanced practice providers
- Participate in after-hours or on-call coverage as required
- Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation
- Participate in quality improvement, patient safety, and compliance initiatives
- Comply with all regulatory, accreditation, and professional standards
Qualifications
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from an accredited medical school
- Completion of an accredited residency program (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, or related specialty)
- Board-eligible or board-certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine preferred
- Ability to obtain and maintain unrestricted state medical licensure
- DEA registration or eligibility
Skills and Competencies
- Expertise in symptom management and end-of-life care
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to conduct sensitive discussions with patients and families
- Commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care
- Ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary teams
Work Environment
- Patient homes, hospice inpatient units, nursing facilities, and community-based settings
- Call responsibilities as determined by hospice program needs
Physical Requirements
- Ability to travel to patient care locations
- Ability to sit, stand, and move throughout care environments
- Visual and auditory acuity sufficient for patient assessment
Requirements
Must maintain state certification and/or licensure.