Portland, OR

External Description

POSITION SUMMARY: The PALLIATIVE CARE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR is responsible for the oversight and direction of the Company's palliative care program. The position requires excellent organizational, communication, and critical thinking skills. The manager requires exquisite interpersonal and group dynamic skills, as well as proven skills as an administrator or program director.

This manager works autonomously and collaboratively with the Company's staff, physician groups, clinics, hospital case management, and supportive care services within the communities. Ongoing education of the Company's personnel by the manager is a requirement.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Works as a member of the palliative care team.


• Arranges NPs to assess and develop treatment plans for symptoms associated with serious illness


• Provides psychological, spiritual and existential support as needed. Helps to coordinate support with hospice chaplains, hospice social workers and community providers as needed.


• Creates and participates in palliative care quality improvement initiatives.


• Facilitates advance care planning, discussion of values and goals, provides documentation in EHR of advance care directives.


• Assists in communicating medical information and prognosis to medical team -- NPs, Chaplains, SW, on Call Nurses, and other professionals in helping clarify goals of medical care assuring that plan of care is in accordance with patient goals and values.


• Educates patients, families and providers on the benefits of the community based palliative program-Palliative Care 101. Assist with the consents with patients and families.


• Coordinates/communicates with community agencies to facilitate transitions of care.


• Coordinates care of the terminal patient, supportive care for loved one including answering questions about what to expect during the end of life period. Having the difficult conversation.


• Coordinates interdisciplinary team meetings for patient and family care updates. Document the updates to the care plan after each team meeting.


• Participates in meetings, events, facility care plan conferences, hospital conferences and physician group meetings to update on the status of the palliative care patients. Distributes IDT updates to partners in care or contracted partners. Compiles data and reports of progress for meetings with contracted providers.


• Communicates with the billing departments (internally/externally) the level of care/type of care provided by NPs for each consult. Reviews documentation on a regular basis to ensure timely completion by NPs.


• Actively communicates and collaborates with NPs, Medical Directors, MDs and other professionals regarding patient specific/changing palliative care goals achieving optimal patient outcomes.


• Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team in the management of patients who are clinically complex and/or require long-term palliative management. Prepares patients/families for discharge off palliative program due to chronic nature or improvement of symptoms.


• Provides direction and support to patients and families and to health care providers in addressing ethical and legal concerns. Assures the IDT discusses the ethical concerns.


• Demonstrates awareness of program financial performance, budgeting and planning. Assists in cost reduction and improved efficiency.


• Conducts regular staff meetings and maintains minutes.


• Ensures complete, appropriate and adequate staff development including orientation, in service, continuing education, competency testing, and quality assessment performance improvement.


• Performs related other duties as required and/or assigned.

ADDITIIONAL DUTIES:

• Maintains knowledge of and compliance with current Medicare/Medicaid, state/federal rules and regulations for palliative services.


• Ensures compliance with the Medicare conditions of participation and other state regulations govern the provision of healthcare.


• Complies with all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements in accordance with federal, state and organizational policies.


• Assumes responsibility for personal growth. Develops, maintains and upgrades professional knowledge and practice skills through attendance at seminars, conferences and participation in continuing education and in-service classes.


• Fulfills the obligation of requested and/or accepted assignments.


• Demonstrate knowledge in communication and counseling patient/family in dealing with end-of-life issues.

The above statements are only meant to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.

Licensure Certifications Position Qualifications:

• Must be a full time employee and be willing to travel.


• Must have a minimum of two years of hospice/palliative/home health management experience.


• Must have a good working knowledge of palliative care, outpatient care guidelines and billing.


• Must be familiar with the national Center for Palliative Care Guidelines --CAPC, National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization -NHPCO.


• Must have knowledge of Advance Care Planning and be willing to assist patients and families with the process.


• Must be able to coordinate/direct an interdisciplinary team.


• Preferred certification in Hospice and Palliative Care, and or ELNEC training.


• Bachelor's degree preferred.


• Must have a demonstrated ability to hire, supervise, direct, and motivate professional and administrative personnel.


• Must have the ability to deal tactfully with the community and have knowledge of corporate business management.


• Must be able to communicate an understanding of palliative care and the services provided to patient and family/caregivers through an interdisciplinary team approach.


• Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state and/or organization requirements and is in good working order.


• Demonstrates excellent observation, problem solving, verbal and written communications; skills per competency checklist.


• Shows ability to organize and prioritize workload independently. Works indoors in patients' homes.


• May be required to work in undesirable areas.


• Must maintain a current knowledge of advance care planning in Oregon.