I. Qualifications

The associate medical director shall be licensed to practice medicine in the State of Pennsylvania and either have an MD or DO degree. It is preferred that the Associate Medical Director has had professional experience in the care of terminally ill patients. This position has an emphasis on pain and symptom management and psychosocial care of the patient/family.

II. Responsibilities

The Associate Medical Director is responsible for the medical component of Care Comfort Hospice patient care services. The Associate Medical Director works in conjunction with the Executive Director, the Director of Nursing, Medical Director, Patient Care Coordinator, and the members of the Interdisciplinary Team to:

§Certification and recertification of patient’s terminal condition in consultation with the attending physician.

§Participate in the decisions regarding admission of patients into the hospice program.

§Provide input and consultation as a member of the Interdisciplinary Team on medical issues.

relating to the patient/family Plan of Care and resolving conflicting patient care decisions.

§Assist in the implementation and review of policies and procedures relating to patient care.

§Assist in orientation and education and educational presentations for hospice staff and medical community members.

§Participate in QAPI and other assigned committees and Utilization Review activities.

§Assist with employee health activities.

§Assure the availability of physician services in his/her absence.

§Work as a team member at all times and uphold the Hospice Code of Ethics.

§Serve as a liaison to primary physicians on medical interventions consistent with the hospice philosophy.

§Participate in patient visits as required by state, federal, joint commission, and Premier Hospice Care admission policies.

Orientation and Training

Care Comfort Hospice will provide orientation and training, as necessary, to assist the Associate Medical Director in performing the responsibilities listed above. The Governing Body, Executive Director, and the Management Team will act as a resource for integrated services available within the parent organization. Trainings may be in-house or outside seminars or approved self-study and research. Documentation of orientation and training will become part of the personnel file.

III. On Call

The Associate Medical Director is available at all times to Care Comfort Hospice Team members for consultation and input to the patient’s Plan of Care, Changes in condition and medical interventions necessary for the control and management of symptoms related to the disease process.

The Associate Medical Director assigns an alternate Medical Director to provide coverage for the medical component of the program for those times that he/she is unavailable.

IV. Accountability

§Reports directly to the Executive Director and/or the Director of Nursing

§Works cooperatively with the site Director of Nursing

§Works cooperatively with all members of the Interdisciplinary Team.

§Works cooperatively with the QAPI Director and or designee and assigned committees.