Physician, Palliative Care

As a compassionate non-profit organization since 1983, Chapters Health System is committed to enhancing the lives of those affected by advancing age or illness. Through our comprehensive system of healthcare choices, we deliver expert care and heartfelt support to guide the community during the aging and end-of-life journey. From hospice and palliative care for adults and children suffering with life-limiting illnesses to in-home and community-based services for frail but independent seniors, Chapters Health offers a wide range of support services along life's ever-changing landscape. As we continue to grow throughout our serivce areas, we are seeking: 

Physicians - Full-time and PRN available

Tampa, FL area

The Palliative Care Physician has the responsibility of providing high quality care and treatment of palliative care patients served by the company. S/he provides comprehensive and efficient consultative patient care and utilizes clinical expertise in decision making while promoting maximization of quality of life for the company's patients and caregivers. S/he provides physician direction and guidance to the company's palliative staff while assisting in maximizing access to care for eligible palliative care patients.

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide high quality consultative patient palliative care through hospital, nursing home, assisted living facility, home, or clinic visits as appropriate and as designated by the Medical Director
• Work collaboratively in protocol with non-physician practitioners (ARNPs, CNSs, PAs, etc) from the company's medical staff
• Provide clinical expertise and participate in interdisciplinary team decisions regarding diagnosis and medical management of patient/family needs, assuring that the highest quality of medical care is provided and that continuity and comprehensiveness of care is maintained in a cost-effective manner
• Consult with patients' primary and attending physicians regarding integration of patients' palliative care with their primary or other care
• Make visits to care for patients to meet assigned productivity goals
• Evaluate patients for eligibility for hospice care according to current guidelines and make referrals as appropriate 
• Work cooperatively with the Enrollment Center and organization staff to facilitate timely provision of services to potential company patients
• Utilize practice opportunities to provide expert physician care to patients and provide clinical learning activities for internal staff and the staff of our partners
• Act as a role model for professional practice by integrating all components of the professional role: clinical practice, consultation, collaboration, leadership, education, and research/evaluation
• Collaborate with all disciplines within the agency and community partners to develop effective patient care programs
• Participate in after-hour and weekend coverage for palliative care patients cared for by Palliative Care medical staff
• Provides crossover coverage to all contracted facilities; including but not limited t hospitals, ALF's, Nursing Homes, and as needed in patient's homes. 
• Maintain defined patient care data for clinical activities
• Maintain accurate record of administrative, non-billable activities
• Utilize appropriate CPT and ICD-9 codes that are supported by medical documentation
• Completes billing documentation and submission on a daily basis for daily activities
• Prepare patient billing information in conjunction with the appropriate billing agency
• Complete timely medical documentation of medical information on all patients seen by physician using the electronic health record 
• Manages productivity by meeting and/or exceeding budgeted RVU's on a monthly/yearly basis
• Meets the administrative (number of hours) billing expectation as noted in contracts with facilities
• Contribute to Performance Improvement efforts of medical documentation by company staff
• Contribute to research efforts of the company by actively recruiting research subjects
• Promote the company's programs to nursing homes, ALFs, insurance companies, hospitals, and other referral sources
• Actively participate in ongoing education about our company and palliative care services to our community partners, referring providers, and general public
• Attend the Palliative Care Staff meetings regularly, a minimum of 50% of all scheduled staff meetings and review minutes of meetings not attended within 5 days of their being made available
• Represent the company at appropriate local, state, national, and international forums*
• Evaluate patient care outcomes and propose solutions to opportunities identified
• Participate in appropriate agency-wide committees
• Supervise and educate fellows, residents, and medical students participating in company programs
• Support research to promote clinical knowledge, development, and research-based clinical practice
• Participate in development of clinical policy and procedures to improve quality of care delivery
• Evaluate current research findings for specialty
• Assist in the development, implementation, and evaluation of standards of practice within the palliative care specialty
• Assist in developing unique roles for non-physician practitioners (ARNP, CNS, PA, etc.) in order to expand medical services in a cost-efficient manner
• Provide care in efficient manner
• Exhibit flexibility in schedule regarding appointment changes, care settings, and coverage issues
• Work collaboratively with palliative care interdisciplinary staff as available in each care setting
• Participate in programs to maximize access to palliative care for eligible patients
• Identify opportunities for improvement in services and work cooperatively with Medical Director to implement appropriate changes
• Participate in other clinical/administrative responsibilities as directed by the Medical Director*
• Work cooperatively with and reports to the Medical Director to ensure quality care delivery to all company patients
• Display attributes of consultation etiquette when providing consultative services to referring clinicians
• Provide coverage in the event of absence
• Assume responsibility as a self-directed professional for own continuing education. Identify needs or seek direction in identification of needs to maintain expertise and keep current with health care trends 
• Other duties as assigned by Medical Director