Associate Hospice Medical Director

Magnet Recognized:  Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center has received consecutive ANCC Magnet re-designations for meeting rigorous standards for nursing excellence and job satisfaction.

Culture:  Be part of a multidisciplinary team built on teamwork, with compassion and the goal of Moving Health Forward for you and our patients. Work where you matter.

You Belong at Avera:  Competitive pay, free health insurance, and options for: Student Loan Repayment Program, sign-on bonuses, various shifts and career growth opportunities.

Avera is currently seeking an Associate Hospice Medical Director!

Position Highlights:

• Positive Work Environment: Be part of an organization where we practice the mission in our daily operations and demonstrate our pride by delivering excellent care.
• Career Growth: You have the opportunity to go beyond licensure and employment requirements and become nationally certified.

Education and/or Experience

• Medical Doctor degree require

Licensure/Certification/Registration

• South Dakota Medical License
• Federal DEA and South Dakota State CSR.

Work Schedule

• 16 hours in a two week period. Days with weekend, holiday and call time involvement. 

Position Duties 

A.          Patient Care Program.  To be responsible for the overall medical component of the patient care program and to insure consistence with Avera@Home’s philosophy.

B.          Representative. To be a Medical Representative of Avera@Home in the community.

C.          Liaison.  To serve as a liaison with community physicians, medical schools and hospitals.

D.          Patient Care Planning.  Participate in patient care planning as follows:

               1.          To participate in making decisions regarding admissions to Avera@Home’s home care or inpatient setting(s), in conjunction with the Hospice Interdisciplinary Group (IDG).

               2.          To certify (along with the attending physician) that each patient accepted for admission to Avera@Home’s hospice program has a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six (6) months or less.

               3.          To recertify the patient's limited life expectancy at subsequent 30 and 90 day periods; and at end of total 210 day period, if necessary.

               4.          To participate in the continuing education of Avera@Home’s nurses regarding palliative medical management and symptom control.

               5.          To participate in patient care plan at the time of admission to the program, in development and revision of patient care plan and in patient care conferences in order to review the care being provided.

               6.          To participate in Interdisciplinary Group (“IDG”) conferences to review Avera@Home’s patient care planning and serve as a medical resource.

               7.          To be available for on-call consultation with team members regarding patient's condition (in-house or telephone).

               8.          To present specific educational information at patient care conferences relevant to case presentations, including offering advice and information to staff and referring physicians on medical interventions to relieve pain and symptoms of disease.

               9.          To act as liaison between the attending physicians and the IDG; resolves conflicting care decisions per Avera@Home policy.

E.          Health Policies Advice.  Advise on hospice policies for Hospice employees.

F.           Home Visits and Availability.  The Associate Medical Director shall make home visits when indicated and shall assure availability of physician services for routine and emergency situations.

G.          Director of Care.  In the event the patient has no personal physician the Associate Medical Director will be the director of care.

H.          Back-up Physician.  Provide and train a Physician to cover responsibilities when Associate Medical Director is absent.

I.           Marketing.  Physician actively shall participate in the marketing of Avera@Home's services to the public and the physician community.

J.           Continuing Education.  Physician shall participate in the educational programs conducted by Avera@Home necessary to ensure Avera@Home's compliance with regulatory, accreditation and insurance requirements and shall participate in such other educational programs within Avera@Home as may be reasonably requested.

K.          Quality Assessment.  Physician shall participate in the quality assessment programs conducted by Avera@Home necessary to ensure Avera@Home’s compliance with regulatory, accreditation and insurance requirements and shall participate in such other quality review programs within Avera@Home as may be reasonably may requested.

L.           Utilization Review.  Physician shall participate in the utilization review programs conducted by Avera@Home and the Medical Staff necessary to ensure the Avera@Home's compliance with regulatory, accreditation and insurance requirements, and shall participate in such other utilization review programs within Avera@Home, as may be reasonably requested.

M.         Risk Management.  Physician shall participate in the risk management programs conducted by Avera@Home and the Medical Staff necessary to ensure the Avera@Home's compliance with regulatory, accreditation and insurance requirements, and shall participate in such other risk management programs within Avera@Home, as Avera@Home may reasonably request.

N.          Availability.  Physician shall be available to fulfill such responsibilities and duties during the regular working hours of Avera@Home.  Scheduling of defined activities shall be by mutual agreement between Avera@Home and Physician.

What Makes Avera Special?