What are the responsibilities and job description for the Medical Director - Hospice Care position at Heritage Healthcare Services?
Heritage Hospice is excited to resume services in the Albuquerque community. Our dedicated team is back and ready to provide compassionate, high‑quality end‑of‑life care for patients and families across the region.
The Hospice Medical Director provides clinical leadership, oversight, and guidance to ensure the delivery of high‑quality, compassionate hospice care. This position serves as the primary medical resource for the interdisciplinary team (IDT), supports accurate and compliant hospice eligibility determinations, and upholds regulatory standards established by Medicare, state regulations, and organizational policy.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide medical oversight and direction for all hospice clinical services.
- Review and certify terminal prognosis and eligibility for hospice care, including recertification decisions and documentation.
- Conduct physician‑level assessments as needed for complex cases, symptom management, and care planning.
- Partner with Nurse Practitioners performing Face‑to‑Face visits to ensure accurate alignment of clinical findings with certifying statements.
- Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team (RN Case Managers, Social Workers, Chaplains, CNAs) to develop and review individualized plans of care.
- Provide expert consultation on pain and symptom management, medication use, and evidence‑based hospice practices.
- Participate in IDT meetings, quality reviews, and case conferences.
- Lead quality improvement initiatives focused on symptom control, service intensity, regulatory compliance, and patient outcomes.
- Serve as a clinical liaison with attending physicians, specialists, and healthcare partners.
- Support staff education on disease trajectories, eligibility criteria, documentation standards, and hospice philosophy.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and CMS hospice regulations, including timely completion of physician certification statements and oversight responsibilities.
- Represent the hospice program professionally within the community and healthcare network.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO).
- Current and unrestricted New Mexico medical license.
- Minimum of 2–3 years of relevant clinical experience; hospice, palliative care, or geriatric experience strongly preferred.
- Understanding of hospice regulations, Medicare requirements, and clinical documentation standards.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams.
- Demonstrated commitment to compassionate, patient‑centered care.
What We Offer
- PRN Benefits
- Competitive compensation
- Supportive interdisciplinary environment
- Opportunity to shape clinical excellence and hospice program growth