Hospice & Palliative Care Physician

Position Summary

Functions under the direction of the medical director and is designated to assume the medical director’s responsibilities and obligations in his/her absence. The physician, in conjunction with the patient’s attending physician, is responsible for the palliation and management of the terminal illness and conditions related to the terminal illness. The physician educates and collaborates with physicians and others engaged in health care services regarding the hospice and palliative care program and its potential benefits to eligible patients in the community.

• Make rounds and visit patients in the Hospice Care Center at least daily on weekdays and as deemed appropriate on weekends.
• Take on the role of primary care provider for hospice patients without a primary care provider/attending physician.
• Participate in the Hospice Care Center IDT meetings.
• Share night and weekend call duties with other hospice and palliative care physicians for home care and care centers.
• Make home visits and face-to-face visits as deemed necessary.
• Provide medical coverage as needed for the Hospice Home Care Program.
• Complete face-to-face visits for certification/re-certification of the patient’s prognosis at appropriate time intervals as needed.
• Participate in the home team IDT meetings as needed.
• Home visits as needed.
• Consults with the patient’s attending physician as needed and appropriate. If the attending physician is not available, the Medical Director or the Hospice and Palliative Care Physician is responsible for meeting the medical needs of the patient.

• Develop/Coordinate the palliative care program.
• Provide face-to-face palliative care consult visits within acute and long-term facilities within the Hawaii Care Choices service area.
• Provide face-to-face palliative care consult visits in the Hawaii Palliative Care Center Clinic.
• Foster collaboration and teamwork with providers.
• Provides expert care to alleviate pain and other distressing symptoms associated with serious illness.
• Facilitates discussions about goals of care and treatment preferences.
• Works with other healthcare professionals, such as RNs, MSW & CLS, to ensure a coordinated approach.
• Clearly communicates information about the patient’s condition and treatment options.
• Advocates for the patient’s needs and preferences within the healthcare system.
• Provides education to the patients and families about palliative care, its benefits, and available resources.

• Actively foster an increase in appropriate referrals to the hospice and palliative care program.
• Ensure and actively promote the delivery of the highest quality of care for our patients and families; providing and promoting the highest standards of care and proving best practices.
• Actively seek out opportunities to establish professional and collegial relationships within the healthcare system and community.
• Participate in learner education ( medical residents, APP in training) as approved and directed by the Medical Director.

• Knowledge of the principles and practice of primary medical care.
• Advanced and ongoing training in Hospice and Palliative Medicine Physician training, diagnostic skills, knowledge in symptom management, and communication skills required.
• Ability to work collaboratively with Hospice of Hilo employees as part of the IDT.
• Ability to build effective relationships and build an improved culture of collaboration among healthcare professionals to meet the needs of end-of-life care.
• Effective leadership skills and relationship maintenance attributes.
• Credentialed for medical practice at contracted hospitals and nursing facilities.
• Current Medical License and Driver’s License from the State of Hawaii.
• Current Federal and State of Hawai’i Controlled Substance Registration Certificate.

• Graduate of an accredited School of Medicine.
• Two years of experience as a practicing physician with experience in pain management and palliative care.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid Hawai’i State Physician’s license to practice medicine in the state.
• Adequate educational and…