Hospice Physician (MD/DO) - Texas
Job at a glance
Job description
Hospice Physician (MD/DO)
Position Summary
The Hospice Physician provides medical oversight and direct patient care for individuals with life-limiting illnesses, focusing on comfort, symptom management, and quality of life. This role emphasizes compassionate, patient- and family-centered care while collaborating with an interdisciplinary hospice team to support patients throughout the end-of-life journey.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
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Provide medical evaluation and ongoing care for hospice patients in home, inpatient, or facility-based settings
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Manage pain and complex symptoms including dyspnea, nausea, anxiety, delirium, and terminal agitation
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Collaborate with interdisciplinary hospice team members including nursing, social work, chaplaincy, and therapy services
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Certify and recertify hospice eligibility in accordance with regulatory requirements
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Develop and oversee individualized plans of care focused on comfort and quality of life
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Participate in family meetings and goals-of-care discussions
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Provide clinical guidance and support to hospice nursing staff and advanced practice providers
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Participate in after-hours or on-call coverage as required
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Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation
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Participate in quality improvement, patient safety, and compliance initiatives
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Comply with all regulatory, accreditation, and professional standards
Qualifications
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Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from an accredited medical school
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Completion of an accredited residency program (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, or related specialty)
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Board-eligible or board-certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine preferred
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Ability to obtain and maintain unrestricted state medical licensure
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DEA registration or eligibility
Skills and Competencies
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Expertise in symptom management and end-of-life care
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Strong communication and interpersonal skills
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Ability to conduct sensitive discussions with patients and families
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Commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care
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Ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary teams
Work Environment
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Patient homes, hospice inpatient units, nursing facilities, and community-based settings
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Call responsibilities as determined by hospice program needs
Physical Requirements
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Ability to travel to patient care locations
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Ability to sit, stand, and move throughout care environments
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Visual and auditory acuity sufficient for patient assessment