Access Physician

It’s inspiring to work with a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they’re doing!

When you become part of the Chapters Health Team, you’ll realize it’s more than a job. It’s a mission. We’re committed to providing outstanding patient care and a high level of customer service in our communities every day. Our employees make all the difference in our success!

The Hospice Access Physician ensures that physician services are provided to the Patient Access Department in order to facilitate timely access to care for eligible patients who have been referred to the hospice. Provides physician direction and education to admissions personnel, assists in obtaining additional information, when required, in order to establish eligibility, and completes regulatory hospice physician documentation for each admission.

Qualifications:
• MD or DO from an accredited medical school
• Licensed to practice medicine in the State of Florida with willingness to obtain additional states as required - currently requesting District of Columbia, State of Maryland, State of Georgia, and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Additional states for continued growth and service support.
• Current DEA number for FL and additional states requested - currently requesting District of Columbia, State of Maryland, State of Georgia, and the Commonwealth of Virginia. State Controlled Substances Registration in above jurisdictions for Maryland and District of Columbia is required.

- Current Medicare and Medicaid Numbers

• Active BLS certification completed by either American Heart Association or the Red Cross, with in person training.
• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience or Fellowship
• If not already certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine, completion of either the ABMS Board Certification in Hospice and Palliative Medicine or the HMDCB certification preferred
• Eligible for malpractice coverage under Chapters’ policy terms
• Board eligible or board certified in a recognized field of the American Board of Medical Specialties preferred
• Certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties in Hospice and Palliative Medicine preferred
• Knowledge and experience in palliative medical practice and symptom management
• Basic computer skills including use of email and word processing (Microsoft Outlook and Word or equivalent programs)
• Must be able to physically access any home in the Organization’s service area (i.e., navigate stairs, and narrow spaces, tolerate heat and lack of air conditioning)
• Ability to manage the emotional stress of working with and caring for terminally ill patients and their families

Responsibilities of all staff:
• Represent the Company professionally at all times through care delivered and/or services provided to all clients
• Comply with all State, federal and local government regulations, maintaining a strong position against fraud and abuse
• Comply with Company policies, procedures and standard practices
• Observe the Company's health, safety and security practices
• Maintain the confidentiality of patients, families, colleagues and other sensitive situations within the Company
• Use resources in a fiscally responsible manner
• Promote the Company through participation in community and professional organizations
• Participate proactively in improving performance at the organizational, departmental and individual levels
• Improve own professional knowledge and skill level
• Advance electronic media skills
• Support the Company’s research and educational activities
• Share expertise with co-workers both formally and informally
• Participate in Quality Assessment Performance Improvement activities as appropriate for the position

Leadership Success Factors:
• Communication: Express thoughts and ideas clearly; adapt communication style to fit audience
• Initiative: Originate action to achieve goals
• Management Identification: Identify with and accept the problems and responsibilities of management
• Judgment: Make realistic decisions based on logic, facts and in consideration of organizational resources
• Planning, Organizing and Controlling: Establish course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a specific goal; plan proper assignments of personnel and appropriate allocation of resources; monitor results
• Leadership: Use appropriate interpersonal styles and methods in guiding others toward task accomplishment
• Work Standards: Set high goals or standards of performance for self and others; compel others to perform
• Tolerance for Stress: Maintain stability of performance under pressure and/or opposition
• Innovativeness: Generate and/or recognize imaginative, creative solutions in work related situations
• Delegation: Allocate decision making and other responsibilities effectively and appropriately
• Staff Development: Develop the skills & competencies of subordinates
• Organizational Sensitivity: Perceive the impact and implications of decisions on various components of the organization
• Ethics: Model highest standards of conduct and ethical behavior, adopting a strong position against fraud and abuse
• Regulatory Compliance: Educate and monitor staff regarding their own and the organization's responsibilities for regulatory compliance

Job Responsibilities:
• Works collaboratively with the Director of Patient Access Services and the Patient Access/Admissions Department to maximize access to hospice care for patients who are eligible for hospice services.
• Reviews, confirms, and evaluates the patient information obtained from medical records, referring and/or primary Physicians, and from Patient Access/Admissions Nurses who have assessed patients for admission.
• Determines initial and ongoing eligibility for hospice services based upon prognostic indicators, Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) and other contributing factors including coexisting conditions and rate of disease progression.
• Provides verbal certification of hospice eligibility for those patients who are eligible for hospice services.
• Completes written certification and clinical narrative for those patients who are eligible for hospice services and admitted into the program.
• Orders medications, in a timely manner, required to promote comfort for newly admitted patients.
• Evaluates admissions process and provides recommendations for improved efficiencies and accuracies.
• Provides ongoing education to the Patient Access/Admissions and Professional Relations Departments regarding information necessary to establish eligibility of patients for hospice services and regulatory changes affecting the admissions process.
• Provides determination of related/unrelated medications, treatments and hospitalizations, and documents in the electronic medical record (EMR).
• Assists in reviewing hospital patients for appropriate levels of care and participate in hospital interdisciplinary group (IDG).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Compensation Pay Range:

$30,000.00 - $700,000.00

This position requires consent to drug and/or alcohol testing after a conditional offer of employment is made, as well as on-going compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Policy.

All Chapters Health System employees performing services for Florida affiliates are submitted through the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse to verify eligibility after a conditional offer of employment is made as well as ongoing eligibility. For more information, please visit https://info.flclearinghouse.com/.