Clinical Director

Brief Description

JOB SUMMARY: The Clinical Director is a is responsible for managing the hospice’s clinical department. They hire new staff, prepare budgets, and ensure that all records are up-to-date. To provide and oversee all hospice care to the terminally ill patient, families, and caregivers, twenty-four hours/day, seven days/week.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate from an accredited school of nursing
• Currently licensed as a registered nurse to practice in the state.
• Ability to work independently, make accurate, and at times, quick judgments. Ability to supervise others appropriately.
• Ability to respond appropriately to crisis; patient or employee related.
• Acceptance of and adaptability to different social, racial, cultural and religious modes.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in Hospice /home care and at least one year of supervisory experience.
• Active patient contact within past three years, preferred.
  
  

Physical Requirements:

Requires considerable physical effort most of the day including kneeling, squatting, reaching, twisting,

climbing, walking, exposure to temperature and humidity changes and maximal assist in lifting and/or

transferring of a 100-pound patient. Must possess sight/hearing senses or use appropriate adaptive devices that will enable senses to function at a level required to meet the essential duties of the position. Must provide evidence of annual TB test and other state-required tests or examinations.

Mental Requirements:

Must be able to work independently, make judgments based on assessments and data available and act

accordingly. Must be flexible, innovative and possess good interpersonal skills. Must be able to cope with mental and emotional stress and demonstrate emotional stability.

Working Conditions:

Be able to tolerate exposure to elements including, but not limited to, odors, blood, body fluids and excrements, adverse environmental conditions and hazardous materials.

Transportation:

Must have a current valid driver’s license, auto liability insurance and reliable transportation.

Essential Functions:

• Participates in developing standards which ensure safe and effective service to patients and families. Has joint responsibility with the Executive Director for seeing that standards are met.
• Participates in developing and implementing objectives for Oakland Hospice strategic planning.
• Consults with the Executive Director to determine a staffing pattern to promote maximum utilization of personnel.
• Is responsible for recruiting, hiring, evaluating and terminating service personnel.
• Participates in planning for the orientation of new employees and participating in teaching as needed.
• Plans and arranges for consultation needs of staff; prepares and maintains current policies and procedures which meet Medicare, Medicaid, accreditation standards, state and federal laws, etc. and implements; revises concurrently.
• Displays a willingness to support the policies and procedures and uses appropriate channels for change of such policies; establishes criteria and procedures for selection, promotion and termination of employment of service personnel.
• Participates in establishing the functions and qualifications for each service position; coordinates interdisciplinary team services:
• Assures ongoing assessment of patient/family needs and implementation/updates of interdisciplinary group plan of care.
• Assures physician approval of plans for continuity of medical care.
• Provides individual or group support concerning job related stress or issues. Serving as a resource person to employees.
• Organizes the hospice to delineate and delegate authority, functional responsibility, lines of relationship and communication to provide safe and therapeutically effective service.
• Participates in coordinating hospice services with those of other community agencies.
• Serves as a role model for all colleagues by setting an example of high standards in attendance, dress, conduct, cooperation and job performance, without regard to time involved.
• Observes confidentiality and safeguards all patient related information.
• Develops a cooperative relationship and communicates effectively and professionally with the physicians.
• Investigates and reports any problem relating to patient care or conditions which might harm the patient and/or employee well-being.
• Immediately reports any accident, incident, lost articles or unusual occurrence to the Executive Director.
• Attends pertinent continuing education programs other than routine in-services and shares information with staff.
• Works with Executive Director in identifying budgetary requirements and determining appropriate use of allocations.
• Ensures that all necessary supplies and equipment for are provided to staff and monitors appropriate use and take steps to keep misuse to a minimum.
• Oversees the hospice’s ongoing Quality Assessment/Performance Improvement (QAPI) program.
• Is normally available at all times during and after operating hours; may designate a qualified temporary replacement if he/she will not be available. Participates in 24 hour/day, seven (7) days/week on-call coverage.
• Plans and supervises the hospice clinical staff and assignments.
• Ensures that patients’ plans of care are developed, implemented and evaluated.
• Conducts patient case conferences, in-services, staff meetings and maintains documentation; participates in community education projects.