Physician Medical Director – Hospice, Palliative Medicine & Clinical Leadership | Bowling Green, KY (BB 135315)
Updated 10/26/26
42104, Bowling Green, Kentucky, United States
Physician
Family Practice-Without OB
By applying you agree to our Terms of Service
Job at a glance
Degree Required
MD/DO
Position Type
Full-Time
Work Environment
Inpatient
Outpatient
Visa Sponsorship
No
Job description
Job description
We are seeking an experienced, compassionate, and clinically skilled Medical Director to lead our hospice and palliative care programs. This physician leadership role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and families by ensuring high-quality, evidence-based, and patient-centered care focused on comfort, dignity, symptom management, and quality of life.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Medical Director will provide strategic medical leadership, clinical oversight, and professional guidance while collaborating closely with the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) and interdisciplinary team members.
As a key physician leader, you will work with physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), social workers, chaplains, bereavement counselors, and volunteers to oversee individualized plans of care, support clinical decision-making, maintain regulatory compliance, and advance continuous quality improvement.
The ideal candidate combines strong clinical judgment and leadership skills with excellent communication, emotional resilience, and a deep commitment to compassionate end-of-life care.
Job Responsibilities
Provide clinical leadership and oversight for hospice and palliative care medical programs, ensuring consistent, high-quality, patient-centered care.
Oversee and, as applicable, supervise Associate Medical Directors, nurse practitioners, and contracted physicians in collaboration with the CEO.
Ensure appropriate physician coverage and timely delivery of medical services when attending physicians are unavailable.
Ensure daily physician rounds for General Inpatient (GIP) patients at the Hospice House and local hospitals are completed by the Medical Director or another qualified physician.
Guide hospice leadership and clinical staff on medical care standards, clinical decision-making, and treatment approaches.
Promote a collaborative, respectful, and accountable work environment aligned with organizational objectives.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Care Coordination
Attend scheduled Interdisciplinary Group (IDG) meetings to develop, review, and oversee individualized patient plans of care.
Collaborate with attending physicians, facility providers, and other healthcare professionals to establish and revise treatment plans as patient needs evolve.
Promote effective communication and coordination among physicians, nursing staff, social workers, chaplains, and other care team members.
Build and maintain strong professional relationships with hospitals, long-term care facilities (LTCFs), community physicians, and healthcare organizations.
Support community outreach and organizational growth by strengthening referral relationships and increasing awareness of hospice and palliative care services.
Educate physicians and healthcare professionals on hospice services, admission criteria, eligibility requirements, and available care options.
Clinical Consultation and Patient Care
Serve as a primary medical resource for hospice staff, patients, families, attending physicians, and community providers regarding pain management, symptom control, and complex clinical concerns.
Maintain availability for timely clinical consultation and medical decision-making, both in person and by telephone.
Conduct home visits, required face-to-face encounters, Hospice House rounds, hospital visits, and long-term care facility visits as clinically indicated.
Provide pre-election evaluations and counseling for prospective hospice patients and their families when requested.
Guide patients and families through discussions about disease progression, prognosis, goals of care, treatment options, and end-of-life decisions.
Review patient medications at admission and throughout care as appropriate, ensuring prescribing decisions align with individualized care plans and formulary guidelines.
Provide clinical oversight of pharmacy utilization, intravenous (IV) therapy, and treatment-related expenses while maintaining appropriate standards of care.
Support care decisions that respect patient preferences, advance directives, individual values, and family needs.
Regulatory Compliance and Clinical Documentation
Ensure physician and nurse practitioner documentation, billing, coding, and medical records meet applicable regulatory, professional, organizational, and accreditation standards.
Maintain accurate, timely, and complete documentation to support continuity of care, medical necessity, regulatory compliance, and appropriate reimbursement.
Obtain and maintain required medical staff privileges at hospitals and long-term care facilities, as applicable.
Ensure clinical practices comply with applicable federal and Kentucky state laws, regulations, accepted medical standards, and organizational policies.
Respond promptly to requests for physician signatures, medical orders, certifications, recertifications, and other required clinical documentation.
Support appropriate documentation and verification of hospice eligibility and ongoing medical necessity.
Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement
Participate actively in the Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program.
Identify opportunities to improve clinical outcomes, patient comfort, care coordination, documentation quality, and operational effectiveness.
Support the development and implementation of clinical policies, protocols, and evidence-based practices.
Review clinical concerns, care delivery trends, and performance indicators to identify improvement opportunities.
Collaborate with leadership and interdisciplinary teams to implement corrective actions and promote continuous improvement.
Encourage a culture of patient safety, professional accountability, and compassionate, high-quality care.
Qualifications
Provide ongoing clinical education, training, and guidance to hospice physicians, nurse practitioners, nursing staff, and other relevant team members.
Promote evidence-based approaches to pain management, symptom control, palliative care, and end-of-life decision-making.
Educate staff on clinical protocols, documentation requirements, hospice eligibility, and relevant regulatory developments.
Support professional development and consistent application of clinical best practices.
Maintain current knowledge of advances in hospice and palliative medicine, regulatory requirements, and accepted standards of care.
Required Qualifications
Education
Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree from an accredited medical school.
Licensure and Certification
Current, unrestricted medical license in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Valid Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration.
Valid National Provider Identifier (NPI).
Board certification in primary care or a related medical specialty.
Board certification in Hospice and Palliative Medicine preferred.
Professional Competencies
Demonstrated clinical judgment and ability to manage complex medical situations.
Strong leadership and interdisciplinary team collaboration skills.
Excellent communication, counseling, and relationship-building abilities.
Commitment to patient dignity, compassionate care, confidentiality, and professional ethics.
Ability to work effectively in emotionally demanding and high-stress clinical environments.
Strong organizational skills and attention to clinical documentation, regulatory compliance, and quality standards.
Ability to balance clinical responsibilities, administrative oversight, and organizational priorities.
Reporting Relationships and Professional Collaboration
The Medical Director serves as the senior clinical leader for the hospice and palliative care medical program, reporting directly to the CEO and collaborating closely with the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO).
Internal collaboration includes hospice physicians, nurse practitioners, nursing teams, social workers, chaplains, bereavement counselors, and other interdisciplinary team members. External relationships include community physicians, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare partners.
These partnerships promote coordinated care delivery, shared clinical decision-making, continuity of care, stronger referral networks, and expanded access to compassionate end-of-life care throughout the community.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions
The position requires work across multiple clinical settings, including patient homes, hospitals, hospice facilities, and nursing homes.
Essential requirements include:
Ability to sit for extended periods and communicate effectively in person and by telephone.
Ability to travel to patient locations and navigate clinical environments that may have accessibility limitations.
Ability to respond to clinical needs in a variety of care settings.
Occasional physical assistance with patient-related clinical needs in coordination with appropriate care team members.
Potential exposure to communicable diseases and emotionally challenging situations.
Flexibility to meet on-call responsibilities, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as required.
The Medical Director is expected to maintain professional composure, exercise sound clinical judgment, and demonstrate compassion and discretion in all patient, family, and professional interactions.
Compensation and Benefits
The benefits package includes:
401(k) retirement plan
Health insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Life insurance
Paid time off (PTO)
Make a Meaningful Difference in Hospice and Palliative Care
Join a team committed to honoring life through exceptional service and compassionate care. As Medical Director, you will play a vital role in ensuring patients and families receive coordinated, respectful, and compassionate support throughout the hospice and palliative care journey.
We seek a physician leader who shares our commitment to clinical excellence, supporting families, advancing interdisciplinary collaboration, and ensuring every patient receives care that reflects their individual goals, wishes, and dignity.
By applying you agree to our Terms of Service