The Director of Medical Operations Northeast FL plans and coordinates the medical programs and activities of the organization in Northeast, Florida, to ensure the delivery of high-quality care, in a cost-effective manner, while meeting all compliance standards.
This position works closely with the Chief Medical Officer for purposes of compliance with 42 CFR § 418.102

Condition of Participation: Provides medical leadership and management to the organization in support and achievement of Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s strategic initiatives, goals, and mission. The Director of Medical Operations Northeast FL is responsible for developing and implementing standards of practice for all practitioners.

Job Description:

1. Provides leadership to the medical staff in Northeast Florida and communicates the vision and strategic plan of the hospice program.
2. Participates as a member of the senior management team to develop and implement the organization’s strategic plan, annual budget, clinical scope of services and annual goals.
3. Develops strategies for improving quality care, and strengthening the growth and image of Community Hospice in the community
4. Responsible for the development and implementation of standards of practice for all practitioners.
5. Participates in development and revision of policies and procedures of medical care, including pain and symptom management.
6. Maintains the physician schedule for coverage of all patient care needs in all settings. Is available, or designates an alternate physician to be available, for telephone consultation or visits 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Provides backup medical coverage for inpatient centers during absence of their Senior Medical Directors, Medical Directors, or Associate Medical Directors.
7. Remains current in knowledge of all hospice regulations and laws applying to the operation of the hospice and the clinical care and techniques of hospice and palliative medicine through continuing medical education, conferences, meetings, home study and consultation with legal counsel, regulatory and accrediting bodies and other experts in the field.
8. Employs and manages all practitioners and medical staff in Northeast Florida. Manages the training of medical staff, contracted medical staff, medical students and resident physicians and participates in the training of other hospice medical professionals and nursing, social work and chaplain students through lectures, case presentations, interdisciplinary team meetings, home visits and inpatient rounds.
9. Monitors the interdisciplinary team physicians’ home visits and assures appropriate documentation for medical records and coding for reimbursement.
10. Provides assistance to hospice marketing representatives by visiting and educating the community physicians how hospice care benefits their patients and practice.
11. Provide timely diagnosis and signature on death certificates.
12. Collaborates with attending physicians to interpret the hospice program and promote optimum care.
13. Resolves conflicts with physicians in reference to patient care issues. When a medical expert is needed, assists in the resolution of high-risk patient and family issues.
14. Confirms patient diagnosis and prognosis at time of referral, reviews admissions to, and discharges from, the hospice program in Northeast Florida.
15. Acts as a resource for the referral coordinator in evaluating patient medical condition and nature of the medical plan of care. This responsibility may be delegated as needed to other Community Hospice medical staff.
16. In conjunction with the Utilization Management Committee, recertifies continued terminal prognosis for all patients in the hospice program in Northeast Florida. Specifically, confirms all patients’ appropriateness for hospice care at prescribed Medicare/ Medicaid benefit period intervals and evaluates those patients on the hospice program for longer than 210 days as often as deemed necessary to confirm a terminal prognosis even prior to the required 60-day recertification period.
17. Assists with the interpretation, analysis and teaching of hospice data, regulations and practice with staff, volunteers, consultants, business partners, customers, community members, patients and their families and regulators.
18. Reinforces and educates through physician-to-physician contact about specific cases, the value of hospice services, and the full scope of hospice care for patient and family.
19. Other duties assigned by the Chief Medical Officer

• About Community Hospice & Palliative Care

Established in 1979, Community Hospice & Palliative Care is an innovative national leader in palliative and hospice care, as well as providing programs and services to meet the diverse needs of the communities it serves. During its 42-year history, through the support of more than 1,000 employees and 1,000 volunteers, the organization helps approximately 1,600 patients per day to live better with advanced illness – at home, in long-term care and assisted living facilities, in hospitals and at its 10 inpatient care centers.

Education/Experience: Required Licenses/Certification:

• Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy degree from an accredited medical school with a current Florida license.
• Must be eligible for or have membership, in good standing, on the medical staff of at least one of the accredited hospitals in the Community Hospice service area.
• Minimum of five (5) years of medical experience in a hospice, hospital, skilled nursing facility and/or home health agency. Experience with oncology, home health or hospice care delivery is desirable.
• At least two (2) years in a management or executive level position that included supervision of other physicians, budget accountability and program development responsibilities (preferred).
• Current Florida Medical License.
• Controlled Substance license.
• Board Certified in Primary Specialty and (ABIM) Board eligible in Hospice and Palliative Medicine preferred. 
• Must have privileges at one or more hospitals commonly serving patients in that hospice’s service area.
• Current State of Florida driver’s license with driving record acceptable to Community Hospice insurance carrier, and reliable transportation.
• Knowledge of hospice and palliative care medicine.
• Knowledge of regulations / CoP’s and compliance.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skill.
• Demonstrated ability to work non-judgmentally with persons of varied cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds and lifestyles.
• Attendance is an essential function of this role, as is the ability to handle stress and get along well with others.

About Alivia Care/Community Hospice & Palliative Care

Our mission is to improve the quality of life for patients and families and be the Compassionate Guide for end-of-life Hospice care in our community. Since 1979, Community Hospice & Palliative Care has become a trusted leader in compassionate hospice care and palliative care for patients and families living throughout Northeast and North Central Florida. Our experienced staff provides patients with specialized care, helping alleviate physical and emotional pain while addressing their spiritual and social needs.

Connections working at Alivia Care/Community Hospice & Palliative Care