Palliative Care Physician

Overview

We are seeking a dynamic physician who will be an addition to our palliative care team in caring for Kaiser Permanente Georgia (KP GA) members with potentially life limiting illnesses. There will be a mix of inpatient and outpatient palliative medicine, but the primary focus is on outpatient care, providing assessments, treatment, and recommendations. The physician will work closely with the team’s nurses, chaplains, social workers, clinical pharmacy specialist, and other team members.

Outpatient visits with members will primarily occur in KP medical offices and virtually. Inpatient work occurs at the two core hospitals, Emory St. Joseph’s, and Emory Decatur Hospitals. Collaborating with the member’s other physicians, the physician in this position will treat and/or recommend care for members  medical problems and illnesses with emphasis on patients’ quality of life and functional ability.

This will include counseling on advance directives, physical and psychosocial concerns, end of life care, and other topics as appropriate.

Ideal candidates must be board certified in internal medicine or family medicine or other relevant certifications and board certified in palliative care medicine.

Conducts office, telephone, video, and inpatient visits as appropriate. Assesses, treats, and/or makes care recommendations for members referred to Palliative Care. Addresses clinical issues and develops medical aspects of care plan (included but not limited to recommendations regarding observations, lab tests, medications, referrals, ordering tests and prescribing medications as appropriate). Working collaboratively with the other members of the Palliative Care Team, as well as the member’s PCP, Oncologist, Cardiologist, and others involved in member’s care, to optimize the member’s overall health and functional status.

Serves as resource for other clinicians, nurse, clinical pharmacy specialist (e.g., authorizing medication changes as appropriate), social worker, and chaplain to enhance care for members with potentially life limiting illness.

Participates in Palliative Care-related meetings, including relevant work groups and department meetings, reviewing team goals, activities, and quality metrics, and recommending interventions as appropriate to improve overall care for KP GA members with potentially life limited illnesses.

Participates in community presentations, KP GA presentations, and TSPMG continuing medical education activities regarding Palliative Care as appropriate, to enhance awareness and knowledge of conditions and issues important for those facing a potentially life limiting illness. Also participating in ongoing educational activities to increase staff awareness of palliative care services in other departments.

• One-year post-residency experience in caring for palliative care patients in an outpatient and/or facility setting.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with patients with potentially life-limiting illness, their family members/caregivers, and other physician and non-physician health professionals.
• Ability and willingness to travel to various locations for patient care.

• Two years post-residency experience in providing palliative care services to patients in the outpatient and/or hospital/facility setting.
• Experience working as part of an interdisciplinary team.