Hospice Physician

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

• Provide medical evaluation and ongoing care for hospice patients in home, inpatient, or facility-based settings
• Manage pain and complex symptoms including dyspnea, nausea, anxiety, delirium, and terminal agitation
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary hospice team members including nursing, social work, chaplaincy, and therapy services
• Certify and recertify hospice eligibility in accordance with regulatory requirements
• Develop and oversee individualized plans of care focused on comfort and quality of life
• Participate in family meetings and goals-of-care discussions
• Provide clinical guidance and support to hospice nursing staff and advanced practice providers
• Participate in after-hours or on-call coverage as required
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation
• Participate in quality improvement, patient safety, and compliance initiatives
• 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 (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, or related specialty)
• 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 end-of-life care
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to conduct sensitive discussions with patients and families
• Commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care
• Ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary teams

Work Environment

• Patient homes, hospice inpatient units, nursing facilities, and community-based settings
• Call responsibilities as determined by hospice program needs

Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel to patient care locations
• Ability to sit, stand, and move throughout care environments
• Visual and auditory acuity sufficient for patient assessment

Must maintain state certification and/or licensure.