At Virtua Health, we exist for one reason – to better serve you. That means being here for you in all the moments that matter, striving each day to connect you to the care you need. Whether that's wellness and prevention, experienced specialists, life-changing care, or something in-between – we are your partner in health devoted to building a healthier community. If you live or work in South Jersey, exceptional care is all around. Our medical and surgical experts are among the best in the country. We assembled more than 14,000 colleagues, including over 2,850 skilled and compassionate doctors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners equipped with the latest technologies, treatments, and techniques to provide exceptional care close to home. A Magnet-recognized health system ranked by U.S. News and World Report, we've received multiple awards for quality, safety, and outstanding work environment.In addition to five hospitals, seven emergency departments, seven urgent care centers, and more than 280 other locations (https://www.virtua.org/locations) , we're committed to the well-being of the community. That means bringing life-changing resources and health services directly into our communities through our Eat Well food access program (https://www.virtua.org/about/eat-well) , telehealth, home health, rehabilitation, mobile screenings, paramedic programs, and convenient online scheduling. We're also affiliated with Penn Medicine for cancer and neurosciences, and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for pediatrics. Location: Lippincott - 301 Lippincott Drive Employment Type: Employee Employment Classification: Per Diem Time Type: Part time Work Shift: 1st Shift (United States of America) Total Weekly Hours: 0 Additional Locations: Job Information: Job Summary: The Physician Hospice is responsible for providing clinical leadership and expertise to the palliative and hospice teams for the purpose of improving patient medical care. The Physician Hospice will facilitate a culture of collaboration among all medical and nursing staff involved with palliative and hospice patient care, build relationships with referring physicians, and with community specialists as needed. The Physician Hospice will identify opportunities to improve care delivery, use resources effectively, and comply with legal, regulatory and clinical policies and procedures. This program is designed to ensure that the care received by our patients during the last months of their life is reflective of their values, preferences and expectations. Position Responsibilities: Provides leadership and assists in the development of Palliative and Hospice Programs that will better serve our patients. Evidence-based national guidelines and clinical algorithms accepted as “best practice” will be used to decrease intra-system variability, and to ensure high quality care and cost accountability. Builds effective relationships with existing hospital-based care teams, partner companies, Hospice Physicians, hospital physicians, community physicians, nurses and other team members as well as community members to build a culture of collaboration and clinically integrated care across the continuum. This will ensure uniformity of practices amongst Virtua Health System, Virtua Home Care and Virtua Palliative and Hospice Programs and the partner companies including policies, procedures, surveys, assessments and outcomes reporting. Proactively identifies opportunities to improve the patient and family experience of care and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of resources. Certifies that the patient meets the medical criteria for hospice admission based upon available diagnostic and prognostic indicators, related diagnoses if any, current subjective and objective medical findings, current medication and treatment orders, information about the medical management of any of the patient’s medical conditions unrelated to the terminal illness. Maintains current knowledge of the latest research and trends in palliative and hospice care and pain/symptom management. Re-certifying patients, as appropriate, for continuation of the Medicare Hospice Benefit at the appropriate levels of care. Assures overall continuity of palliative and hospice medical services Assures that the patient receives appropriate measures to control uncomfortable symptoms. Assures physician representation and participation in the development of a patient’s hospice plan of care. In conjunction with the hospice team, Physician Hospice may participate in family meetings to educate patients and families on medical conditions and the pros and cons of treatments or medications. Consults with the patient’s PCP as needed regarding eligibility for hospice care, pain and symptom control. Complements attending physician care. Acts as a medical liaison between the palliative and hospice teams and physicians to address questions, concerns, and ensure patients and families are receiving consistent high-quality care. Remains current in knowledge and practice in Palliative and Hospice Care. Collaborates with clinical pharmacy around medication management. Assures coverage for medical emergencies and participates in decisions about the facility’s emergency equipment, medications, and supplies. Participate and provide clinical leadership in the development and review of appropriate clinical protocols and processes that support appropriate patient referral and consistent care. Work closely with the Program Director, and Palliative Care and Hospice Team members to assure that clinical protocols, utilization review, case management, quality assurance, and compliance Programs are implemented according to policy. Assist in the development, implementation and reporting of project components necessary to achieve the goals and objectives of the Palliative Care and Hospice Programs. Create, revise and make various presentations to the public, physicians and other relevant audiences. Provides guidance and leadership in ethical matters. Assure compliance with Joint Commission, CMS and other regulatory standards. Participate in quality assurance and peer review programs and assure compliance with and implementation of any resulting recommendations. Actively participates in the organization-wide Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Plan. Participates in Accreditation and all other audit processes. Ensures compliance with legal, regulatory, and medical policies and procedures. Contributes to the development, revision and implementation of medical policies and procedures. Participate in team meetings to review active cases. Participate in monthly and periodic team meetings for the operational and administrative functions of the Palliative Care and Hospice Programs. Be available ad hoc to support and consult with other team members and to assist them as needed to communicate with other physicians. Participates as an active member of Palliative and Hospice Committees, and other Committees as deemed necessary. Position Qualifications Required: Required Experience: Minimum of 3-5 years’ experience providing Hospice End-of-Life Care. Required Education: MD/DO degree, current license (in good standing). Training / Certification / Licensure: Certification in hospice medicine desirable.