Palliative Care Physician (MD/DO) - Texas

Palliative Care Physician (MD/DO)

Position Summary

The Palliative Care Physician provides specialized medical care focused on improving quality of life for patients with serious, complex, or life-limiting illnesses. This role emphasizes expert symptom management, goals-of-care discussions, and support for patients and families, working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams across the continuum of care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Evaluate and manage patients with serious or life-limiting illnesses in inpatient, outpatient, or community settings

• Provide expert management of complex symptoms including pain, dyspnea, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, and depression

• Conduct goals-of-care discussions, advance care planning, and code status conversations

• Support patients and families with decision-making aligned with patient values and preferences

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams including nursing, social work, chaplaincy, case management, and specialty consultants

• Provide consultation services to primary and specialty teams

• Assist with transitions of care including hospice referral when appropriate

• Educate patients, families, and healthcare teams on palliative care principles

• Maintain accurate, timely clinical documentation

• Participate in quality improvement, patient safety, and program development initiatives

• Supervise and educate advanced practice providers, residents, fellows, or medical students as applicable

• Comply with all regulatory, accreditation, and professional standards

Qualifications

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from an accredited medical school

• Completion of an accredited residency program (Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Neurology, Oncology, or related specialty)

• Fellowship training in Hospice and Palliative Medicine preferred

• Board-eligible or board-certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine preferred

• Ability to obtain and maintain unrestricted state medical licensure

• DEA registration or eligibility

Skills and Competencies

• Expertise in symptom management and serious illness care

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

• Ability to facilitate complex and sensitive conversations

• Compassionate, patient- and family-centered approach

• Ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary teams

Work Environment

• Hospital inpatient units, outpatient clinics, and community-based care settings

• Call responsibilities as determined by program structure

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, and move throughout clinical environments

• Manual dexterity for clinical examinations and office-based procedures

• Visual and auditory acuity sufficient for patient assessment