We are expanding and continuously growing which has heightened a need to bring on an additional physician. Additionally, a couple of providers are nearing retirement.

PACE Program Overview

Our PACE program provides total health care…all in one place.

We provide complete care through the PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) model since 1995. From primary care to dentistry, nutritional counseling to physical therapy, we take a team approach to providing coordinated, comprehensive care, whether it's in the centers, patients homes, or a participating local hospital.

Conveniently located PACE Centers are staffed to provide medical, socialization, social work, personal care, physical and occupational therapy services. From learning about nutrition to competing in stationary bike races...from acquiring new gardening skills to sharpening old dance moves...their PACE Center programs enrich the lives of participants.

They provide care in our PACE centers, in patients homes, and also work closely with local hospitals.

PACE services include, but aren’t limited to:

• Primary, specialty and emergency medical care
• Home care including nursing, personal care, homemaking and meal preparation
• Medications, medical equipment and supplies
• Transportation and companion services
• Adult Day Health Center including activities, exercise programs, meals
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Behavioral health, counseling and social work services
• Assisted living and Nursing home care, including respite
• Full dental care
• Hearing Aides
• Acupuncture, chiropractic care and other medically necessary treatments

Eligibility

To start, a patient can schedule a tour of a PACE site or have a team member come to their home to discuss needs and to make sure all questions about PACE are answered. To be eligible for PACE one must:

• Be 55 years old or older
• Live within the service area, which includes: Amesbury, Andover, Beverly, Billerica, Boxford, Burlington, Chelmsford, Danvers, Dracut, Dunstable, Essex, Georgetown, Gloucester, Groveland, Hamilton, Haverhill, Ipswich, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Lynnfield, Manchester, Marblehead, Melrose, Merrimac, Methuen, Middleton, Nahant, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, North Reading, Peabody, Reading, Rockport, Rowley, Salem, Salisbury, Saugus, South Hamilton, Stoneham, Swampscott, Tewksbury, Topsfield, Wakefield, Wenham, West Newbury, Westford Wilmington, Woburn, and Winchester
• Be screened by a nurse as meeting nursing facility clinical eligibility criteria (requires help with two activities of daily living and at least one daily nursing need).
• Have the ability to continue living safely at home.

Position

The Physician participates as a member of the PACE Interdisciplinary Team in the planning, implementation and evaluation of care plans that meet the objectives, standards and policies of the PACE model of care. Incumbent demonstrates proficiency in collaborating with the Nurse Practitioners at the site to provide complete primary care to the participants. The Physician is the leader of the Clinical Team whose primary mission is to assist frail elders to remain living in the community for as long as they may do so safely.

Essential Responsibilities

• Performs initial examinations of PACE applicants.
• Completes periodic evaluations and annual physical examinations of the participants.
• Evaluates participants for episodic visits, for acute illnesses and for follow-ups of hospitalizations.
• Makes nursing home visits in accordance with the state nursing home requirements and as needed.
• Makes home visits as needed acutely or in chronic situations when participants are home bound.
• Participates in the PACE hospital rounding system and the on-call schedule.
• Evaluates the needs of the participants and develops treatment plans in concert with the other members of the Interdisciplinary Team.
• Provides appropriate health care teaching to patients, their families and caregivers, as well as to other members of the Interdisciplinary Team.
• Adheres to the standards set forth in the Element Care NP/MD Collaborative Practice Guide.
• Completes appropriate, accurate, timely documentation, onsite and offsite.
• Ensures that duties are accomplished in a fiscally responsible manner adhering to established budgetary constraints.
• Ensures that all interactions with clients are conducted in a manner that adheres to the highest standards of care for all Element Care clients.
• Frequent local travel.
• Performs other duties as required.

Job Specification

• Board Certified in Internal Medicine or Family Practice, or eligibility for Board Certification (for recent graduates).
• Board Certified in Geriatric Medicine, preferred.
• Current License to practice medicine in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• Current Massachusetts and DEA Prescription Privileges.
• Maintains appropriate hospital and long term care facility credentials and privileges.
• Current CPR Certification.
• At least one (1) year of experience working with a geriatric population. Ability to be able to relate well to participants, to anticipate their needs and to encourage their independence.
• Ability to convey information clearly and succinctly with team members.
• Ability to be able to work well with others and to be a dedicated team member.
• Ability to pay attention to detail, to be a self-starter, and to complete assignments on time with minimal direction.
• Ability to be able to quickly recognize situations/problems before they become acute, and to be able to implement effective solutions and understand consequences.

Physician Work Schedule

Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm. *Patients are typically bused out by 1:30pm each day.

Approximately 10-15 patients are seen per day and the physician will schedule the length of appointments for the time necessary or desired. The patients are between the ages of 55-65 and are typically disabled and/or have a psychiatric diagnosis.

The physician will see patients at the day center as well as participate in home visits, nursing home visits and change in care plans. All appointments and patient contact is done during the regular hours to ensure the physician has a true quality of life/work balance.