Palliative Physician Catholic Palliative Care Services

Summary & Objective

The Palliative Care Physician provides high-quality care and treatment of patients served by Catholic Palliative Care Services (CPCS). Responsibilities include comprehensive, consultative palliative patient care, utilizing clinical expertise in decision making, while promoting the greatest quality of life for patients and caregivers. The Palliative Care Physician provides supervision, direction, guidance and support, as an active participant in the palliative interdisciplinary team.

This requires leading symptom management for patients with serious illnesses and related conditions, and addressing vast, dynamic psycho-social needs of patients, families, and caregivers.

• Provide high quality consultative patient palliative care through hospital, nursing home, assisted living facility, home, or clinic visits as appropriate and as designated by the Medical Director.
• Provide clinical expertise and participate in interdisciplinary team decisions regarding diagnosis and medical management of patient/family needs, assuring that the highest quality of medical care is provided, and that continuity and comprehensiveness of care is maintained in a cost‑effective manner.
• Demonstrate medical knowledge and maintain proficiency in primary medical field and in palliative and hospice medicine.
• Identify and provide ongoing palliative assessment of the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of the patient and family and act accordingly or initiate appropriate intervention or referral.
• Demonstrate knowledge of palliative and hospice levels of care and Medicare and Medicaid Hospice Benefits.
• Provide appropriate documentation and utilize appropriate CPT and ICD‑10 codes supported by medical documentation.
• Complete billing documentation and submission based on CPCS policies and procedures.
• Complete timely medical documentation on all patients seen using the electronic health record.
• Adhere to the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care, 5th Edition.
• Interact with the public and other employees in a positive manner and promote a cooperative working environment.
• Handle sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
• Work a flexible Full‑time schedule that may include weekends and holidays.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

• Provide inpatient and outpatient consultation services in palliative care.
• Conduct palliative visits as coordinated by administrative staff of CPCS.
• Review medical records and/or perform history and physical exams with appropriate documentation.
• Facilitate clarification of patient and family goals of care.
• Develop treatment plans and coordinate interdisciplinary palliative care.
• Ensure timely clinical documentation per CPCS policies and procedures.
• Attend and participate in CPCS Team Meetings as required.
• Ensure effective communication with the CPCS team members, physicians, staff, partners, and across Catholic Health Services (CHS) lines of business.
• Act as a consultant to attending physicians and members of the interdisciplinary team.
• Maintain liaison with community physicians.
• Participate in palliative activities and educational events such as support groups, community education, etc., as requested.
• Assist in providing orientation to new employees.
• Participate with on‑call rotations and be responsible for on‑call emergencies, including weekends and holidays.
• Apply for and maintain medical staff privileges at hospitals in service areas.
• Visit the patient and/or family in the event of an emergency or when requested.
• Remain current in knowledge about hospice and palliative care and dedicate to the provision of quality patient care.
• Work within diverse social and economic situations without imposing own values.
• Encourage the reporting of suspected fraud and other improprieties.
• Comply with all policies, local, state and federal laws and regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• May serve as an interim department leader depending on need.

• Must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and push/pull up…