Director, Frederick Health Hospice and Palliative Care

Job Summary

The Hospice and Palliative Care Director is responsible for providing leadership, oversight and guidance in support of day-to-day operations of Frederick Health Hospice and Palliative Care.

Will collaborate with Frederick Health Hospice’s Board and Frederick Health’s Senior Leadership Team to develop short and long-term goals, objectives and action plans based on community needs and the strategic initiatives of Frederick Health. Is also responsible for Frederick Health Hospice’s business direction, policies and programs and oversight of clinical operations to ensure optimal care is provided to patients and families served.

The  Director is instrumental in the building of partnerships and promoting a positive organizational culture.  They are responsible for developing and cultivating relationships to ensure best practices and evidence-based outcomes are in place through the delivery of Hospice and Palliative Care. In addition, will oversee compliance with various state and federal laws and regulations as well as accreditation agency standards for Hospice programs.

The Director is a highly visible, external-facing role and represents Frederick Health Hospice and Palliative Care in establishing, reinforcing, and growing private philanthropy efforts to meet critical financial, strategic and other related goals, as well as planning, designing, and implementing community outreach programs to heighten community awareness.  Works collaboratively and strategically with Frederick Health Hospice’s Board of Directors, Frederick Health’s Development Council, Frederick Health’s Senior Leadership Team, Frederick Health Hospice’s Medical Director, assigned staff, contractors, vendors and other stakeholders to cultivate and solicit donors to support the provision of Hospice care.

Example of Essential Functions:

Operations

·         Responsible for the development and implementation of Frederick Health Hospice and Palliative Care’s strategic goals and objectives.

·         Provide leadership, oversight, supervision and other related guidance to assigned staff (clinical and non-clinical) to ensure successful operations of established goals and objectives.

·         Achieve performance targets, including but not limited to, patient experience, quality, safety, community and financial.

·         Oversees the development of policy and procedures related to all programs and services; ensures policies and procedures are reviewed annually or as needed.

·         Synthesize complex and diverse information; collect and objectively weigh data; use experience, intuition, and critical thinking to complement data; and design effective processes and workflows.

·         Monitors reimbursement for all services and adjusts program as necessary.

·         Participates on committees/task forces at state and national levels, when possible, to represent the unique needs of the geographical area regarding end-of-life care

·         Participates and oversees the provision of reports for regulatory and benchmarking data.

·         Works with Frederick Health Hospice’s Board Chair regarding agenda and meeting facilitation for Frederick Health Hospice Board meetings.

·         Maintains direct, open communication with other Frederick Health’s entities.

·         Determines and understands customers' needs and expectations; develops and implements action plan to meet and exceed customer expectations.

·         Serves as a liaison and interfaces with community organizations to increase awareness of Hospice philosophy and available programs/services.

·         Effectively delegates responsibility and authority to Managers and staff. Empowers employees through coaching and skill development.

·         Retains adequate pool of administrative, patient care volunteers as well as bereavement care volunteers.

·         Assists in the development and orientation of new staff and volunteers. Through in-services, orientation, trainings and continuing education to improve the expertise of department personnel and volunteers.

·         Facilitates group process and consensus-building to develop a team committed to the success of Frederick Health Hospice and Palliative Care as well as the broader Frederick Health system.

·         Develop/implement action plans to achieve operational as well as financial goals.

·         Inspires the trust of others; balance team and individual responsibilities; give and welcome feedback; exhibit objectivity and openness to others’ views, contribute to holding each other accountable and building a positive team spirit; put the success of team above own interests.

·         Meets challenges with creativity and resourcefulness; remain open to change, encourages idea generation, and trying new things

·         Demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness; look for ways to improve and promote quality; monitor and self-correct own work processes and outcomes; apply feedback from others to improve performance.

·         Encourages staff member development and education and assist staff in relating their specialized work to the total program of the organization.

·         Organizes, directs, and coordinates appropriate people, structures, and systems to fulfill the department’s purpose.

·         Maintains and develops key external relationships with collaborators, suppliers and customers within and outside of Frederick Health and Frederick Health Hospice and Palliative Care; seeks to understand opportunities to create alignment and synergies; develops strategies and operational plans accordingly.

·         Establishes a professional relationship with physicians, hospital and nursing home administrators, civic leaders, and health-related agency executives by making personal contact on a regular scheduled basis.

·         Actively engages in community marketing development plans and makes recommendations to support growth initiatives in collaboration with the Frederick Health Marketing and Communications team.

·         Work collaboratively with key stakeholders to implement areas of responsibility; including but not limited to, expansion and /or divesture strategies and/or adaptation of new technology as needed.

·         Leads through direct oversight, but also through influence and without total hierarchical authority. Fosters strong teams and performs as a strong team member with colleagues to ensure mutual success towards system goals.

·         Managing hospice and palliative care personnel in a manner that minimizes stress, promotes quality service, and provides a professional work atmosphere, with minimum staff turnover.

·         Works with the management team to identify long and short-term needs and general management concerns of the hospice program.

·         Coordinates employee recruitment, hiring, appraisals, discipline and discharges with Human Resources.

Clinical

·         Leads the transformation of services to meet the needs of patients across the continuum of care; sponsors and/or leads improvement efforts, especially related to transitions of care, support of complex, chronically ill patients, hospice and palliative care.

·         Develops ongoing strategies to monitor quality of care and services provided.

·         Ensures that the service line is positioned to optimize the performance of the EMR strategy with goals to improve quality, clinical outcomes, and productivity.

·         Establishes and implements measurable performance, clinical and other related goals.

Finance

·         Prepares departmental capital and operating budgets and manages operations within constraints of approved financial plan.

·         Annually develops budget, including projected volumes, manpower needs, capital and operating expenses.

·         Assures regular budget and financial reports on all aspects of hospice operations are provided to Frederick Health Hospice’s Board.

·         Evaluates financial provisions of proposed contracts and agreements for provision of services to optimize financial viability of the agreements.

·         Monitor actual financial performance compared to budget.

·         Understands volume based financial metrics and how areas of responsibility contribute to the bottom line.

·         Understands market drivers, reimbursement and payment systems now and on the horizon. Identifies gaps and convenes appropriate team members to evaluate models, strategies and tactics as needed.

Fund Development

·         Provides administrative oversight to assure proper record keeping and reporting of donations and gifts; assures appropriate and timely donor recognition.

·         Develop long-term philanthropic relationships with donors and prospects, with the goal of soliciting these individuals for major and/or planned gifts to Frederick Health.

·         Works collaboratively with Frederick Health’s Development Office on fundraising initiatives.

·         Facilitate and implement a multi-purpose development plan that supports Frederick Health Hospice and Palliative Care and Frederick Health’s mission, vision, values, strategic goals and objectives.

·         Conduct ongoing individual community focused development programs that incorporate annual giving, major and planned gifts, corporate and foundation grants, capital fund appeals and special events.

·         Build, nurture and cultivate relationships with current donors, prospective donors, hospital foundation, board members, volunteers and local community (including Foundations, Corporations, faith-based organizations and individuals).

·         Provide direction and assistance to system-wide efforts to generate funds through stewardship, advocacy and community outreach.

Regulatory & Compliance

·         Ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local and corporate quality improvement regulations and or policies and procedures, serving on committees when required by policy or regulation.

·         Participate in regulatory surveys (TJC, State, Federal), initiates corrective action plans and monitors performance as needed to maintain compliance with applicable law and regulations

·         Ensures compliance with all local, state and federal Hospice and Hospice care related regulations and mandates.

·         Monitors market drivers, reimbursement and payment systems now and on the horizon. Identifies gaps and convenes appropriate team members to evaluate models, strategies and tactics as needed.

·         Facilitates all appropriate regulatory and internal audits and reviews and provides appropriate responses/documentation to all appropriate regulatory authorities and or corporate departments to assure accurate and timely compliance and or corrective action, thus assuring legal, ethical, quality and consistent patient care.

·         Monitors legislative policy regarding changes to regulation, reimbursement, and end-of-life issues and ensures education of staff.

·         Maintains current and up-to-date knowledge of Federal laws, Medicare and TJC guidelines so that criteria for licensure, certification and accreditation are met.

·         Ensures compliance with clinical and patient care policies, objectives and standards (HIPAA, TJC, CMS, etc).

 Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

·         Ability to rapidly become familiar with Frederick Health Hospice and Palliative Care and to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

·         Working knowledge of Federal and State regulations as they pertain to the provision of comprehensive, hospice, palliative care, and their administration, and related reimbursement.

·         Knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of the operations and functions of Hospice Post-Acute Care modalities.

·         Knowledge of all applicable laws, ordinances, policies, standards, and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position.

·         Knowledgeable and proficient with the use of computers, complex spreadsheets and software related to the position.

·         Ability to develop and administer policies, procedures, plans, and activities and to monitor the performance of subordinates against established goals.

·         Ability to keep abreast of any changes in policy, methods, operations, budgetary and equipment needs, etc. as they pertain to Frederick Health Hospice and Palliative Care operations and activities.

·         Ability to effectively communicate and interact with subordinates, management, employees, members of the public, and all other groups involved in the activities of Frederick Health Hospice and Palliative Care.

·         Ability to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear and effective manner.

·         Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and related information.

·         Ability to relate well and work effectively with multiple constituencies and audiences.

·         Ability to plan and organize work initiatives to successfully accomplish Frederick Health Hospice and Palliative Care goals and objectives.

·         Ability to be a team player, committed to developing and working within a collaborative environment.

·         Ability to multi-task.

·         Strong analytical, problem solving and interpersonal skills.

·         Ability to identify, develop and implement short/long-term strategic goals and objectives.

·         Ability to influence, build credibility and trust.

·         Ability to think critically.

·         Excellent leadership, customer service, and organizational skills as well as the ability to lead, and motivate others.

·         Demonstrated ability to promote Hospice philosophy and practice.

 Minimum Education, Training, and Experience Required:

·         Bachelor’s degree in health care administration, business, or related field.  Master's degree preferred

·         Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership experience at a Hospice facility, acute healthcare hospital/health system or similar environment.

Physical Demands:

Light Work - Lifting up to 20 pounds on an infrequent basis (less than one lift every three minutes and/or carrying up to 10 pounds or requiring walking or standing to a significant degree (about six [6] hours a day).

 Reporting Relationship:

-       Reports to the Vice President of Integrated Care and Chief Population Health Officer

* The content of this document reflects the general duties, responsibilities, minimum skills, abilities and competencies necessary to perform the essential functions of the job and should not be considered as an exhaustive detailed description of all the work requirements of the position.  Frederick Memorial Hospital may change the specific job duties with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization.

Caring for you as you care for the CommUNITY
Frederick Health offers a comprehensive and affordable benefits package. Health, Dental and Vision insurance are offered the 1st of the month after 30 days of employment to all employees hired to work at least 20 hours per week and we offer multiple plans to best meet your and your family's needs. Life insurance, Short-Term Income Replacement and Long-Term Disability are employer paid for eligible employees. Frederick Health offers a robust Paid Time Off program for eligible employees. Our 403B retirement plan helps you save for your retirement and includes an employer match to eligible employees. All employees have access to free financial planning sessions. We also offer an educational assistance program to support your education goals as well as an employer paid Employee Assistance Program. 

Pay is based on experience, skills and education.   If position is part-time, salary will be pro-rated based on scheduled hours.  The pay range may also vary within the stated range based on specialty if applicable. Non-Exempt positions may have shift differential and/or Overtime paid, if applicable.

Pay range: $98,092.80 - $156,936.00

Salary : $98,093 - $156,936