Physician, Hospice & PC

The Physician, Palliative Care position includes a combination of hospice attending rounds, direct patient care for hospice patients (including face-to-face visits), and management of complex patients at the DOHC congregate facility (six-bed SNF-like setting). Responsibilities also include conducting goals-of-care and life planning consultations for patients in the DOHC Palliative Care Program, the Life Planning Program (including non-palliative patients), and those in hospital and SNF settings.

• Professional Duties

  - Complete documentation for new hospice admissions, including CTI narratives and medication reconciliation at the time of acceptance.
• - Conduct monthly custodial progress visits for patients in nursing homes.
• - Responsible for direct patient at the DOHC congregate high acuity care facility, including rounding, follow ups, admissions, discharges.
• - Perform face-to-face (F2F) visits for hospice recertifications, new admissions requiring F2F, and nursing home admissions.
• - Conduct inpatient Goals of Care consultations at local hospitals shared between two physicians, with cross-coverage as needed.
• - Perform outpatient Life Planning (Goals of Care) consults referred through DOHC.
• - Complete all clinical documentation and notes on the same day of service.
• - Participate in after-hours call coverage, shared with two other physicians, one week at a time, for clinical needs and admissions.
• - Assume coverage responsibilities in the absence of Medical Director, including but not limited to leading two interdisciplinary group (IDG) meetings per week (each lasting approximately three hours), completing CTI narratives for both new admissions and recertifications, and preparing for upcoming IDG meetings by reviewing face-to-face (F2F) visit documentation in advance.
• - Sign medical orders, including co-signing NP/PA orders as required.
• - Collaborate with NPs/PAs, the Director of Palliative Care, Medical Director of Complex Care, hospice teams, and other DOHC staff.
• - Maintain patient confidentiality and understand compliancy such as HIPAA and FWA.
• - Maintain a flexible schedule to meet patient and program needs. Typical duties include outpatient Life Planning consults (morning), hospital consultations (early afternoon), and SNF, home, or hospice visits (late day). Additional outpatient consults may be added based on demand.
• - This role requires a high degree of flexibility and comfort working across multiple care settings. Strong communication skills and the ability to navigate complex goals-of-care conversations are essential.
• - Perform other duties as assigned.
• - Be an active listener (make eye contact, validate)
• - Assume a neutral position and suspend judgment of others
• - Be accountable for your work
• - Speak clearly and use understandable language (avoid medical jargon or slang)
• - Demonstrate appropriate body language and tone of voice
• - Speak positively about your work, co-workers and Desert Oasis Healthcare and Family Hospice Care
• - Avoid gossip and negativity
• - Inform patients and co-workers of how and when to contact you under normal circumstances (phone number, email, a help line, Immediate Care, etc.) or when unforeseen issues arise

• Qualifications

  - Board Certification in Hospice and Palliative Care, or Internal Medicine, or Family Medicine required. License to practice medicine in California: active DEA number required.
• - Comprehensive experience in Internal Medicine or Palliative/Hospice Medicine. Five years of healthcare experience. Palliative Care/Hospice experience preferred. Preferred experience in managed care environment/or a clear understanding of managed care systems.
• - Strong knowledge and experience in managing complex medical conditions and symptoms; understanding of hospice terminality; familiarity with the Palliative Performance Scale and other functional assessment tools; and expertise in Advance Care Planning, including POLST and Advance Directives.
• - Is self-directed and must have excellent organizational and managerial skills.
• - Must have strong interpersonal communication (written and verbal) skills.
• - Driving required. Current California driver's license and proof of automobile insurance required.

• Physical Demands

  type

  Sitting

  - Approximately 70% of day.
• type

  Standing

  - Approximately > 15% of day.
• type

  Walking

  - Approximately > 15% of day.
• type

  Lifting

  - 0 - 20 lbs. (equipment, supplies) approximately >10% of day.
• type

  Bending

  - Approximately >10% of day. Kneeling <20%.
• type

  Hearing/Visual Acuity

  - Adequate for use with computers, telephone and/or Blackberry. Approximately 50% of day.
• type

  Computer

  - Highly technical work environment. Must be able to work minimum of 6 hours a day using keyboard, mouse and monitor.
• type

  Reaching

  - Above head 75 degrees approximately 25% of day.
• type

  Hand grip dexterity

  - Approximately 40% of day.