Team Physician, Hospice Home Care (Per Diem)

* Participates in the evaluation and recertification of the terminal prognosis of patients at indicated intervals.
* Collaborates with interdisciplinary team (IDT) in the development, implementation, and ongoing revision of the physician plan of care (PPOC).
* Completes documentation of all patient care services provided.
* Intervenes when there is a possible revocation; reviews all revocations with the other members of the IDT.
* Provides medical expertise to admission and patient care staff on issues and challenges involving evaluation of terminal prognosis and pain and symptom management. Reviews patients' medication regimens for adverse reactions, inappropriate usage, and inappropriate duration.
* Collaborates with attending, referring, and/or inpatient physicians regarding issues and challenges involving determination of terminal prognosis and pain and symptom management, as well as transfer of patient from home care to inpatient care.
* Provides home visits based on the agreed upon plan of care and as directed by the Hospice Team Manager (HTM) based on patient and family needs.
* Provides for the general medical needs of the patients to the extent that these needs are not met by the attending physician, including but not limited to, E prescribing when attending physician chooses not to or not licensed to do so, signing death certificate and/or accepting full responsibility for the care of the patient if the attending physician does not desire to provide care to the patient.
* Provides family members with information about the medical management and prognosis of the patient, within HIPPA guidelines.
* Provides medical care within Hospice regulations and VNS Health guidelines, policies, and procedures.
* Provides medical oversight and clinical support for hospice patients during evenings, weekends, holidays, and other designated on-call periods.
* Collaborate with the interdisciplinary hospice team to ensure the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered end-of-life care. Responsibilities include responding to urgent clinical needs, providing symptom management recommendations, authorizing orders, and supporting patients, families, and staff in accordance with hospice philosophy, regulatory requirements, and organizational policies.
* Provide medical consultation and support for hospice patients during assigned on-call coverage periods.
* Respond promptly to urgent clinical calls from hospice nurses and when escalated to patients, caregivers, facilities, and other healthcare providers.
* Assess and manage acute symptom issues including pain, dyspnea, agitation, nausea, anxiety, delirium, and other end-of-life symptoms.
* Review patient status and provide verbal or written medical orders as clinically indicated.
* Determine the need for medication adjustments, emergency interventions, or changes in the plan of care.
* Authorize hospice admissions, transfers, discharges, and inpatient hospice care when appropriate and within scope of practice.
* Provide guidance regarding goals of care, advance directives, and end-of-life decision-making.
* Participates in weekly Medical Staff meetings.
* Provides in the moment education to the nurses about symptom management, eligibility and other relevant topics.
* Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

Licenses and Certifications:
Licensed and currently registered to practice medicine or osteopathy in New York State required
PECOS enrollment required

OPRA enrollment required
DEA license required
Board eligible/certified in Internal Medicine, Family Practice, Hospice and Palliative Medicine or other related specialty with a working knowledge of the principles of palliative medicine and symptom management required
Valid driver's license may be required, as determined by operational/regional needs

CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) Certification preferred

Education:
Medical Degree required

Work Experience:
Minimum of two years of experience in a medical practice, preferably in a hospice or palliative care setting OR one year of fellowship training in Hospice and Palliative Care OR Hospice and Palliative Care Board eligible/certified required
Bilingual skills may be required, as determined by operational needs required