Job Description

Palliative Care Physician (MD/DO)

Position Summary

The Palliative Care Physician provides specialized medical care focused on improving quality of life for patients with serious, complex, or life-limiting illnesses. This role emphasizes expert symptom management, goals-of-care discussions, and support for patients and families, working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams across the continuum of care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Evaluate and manage patients with serious or life-limiting illnesses in inpatient, outpatient, or community settings
• Provide expert management of complex symptoms including pain, dyspnea, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, and depression
• Conduct goals-of-care discussions, advance care planning, and code status conversations
• Support patients and families with decision-making aligned with patient values and preferences
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams including nursing, social work, chaplaincy, case management, and specialty consultants
• Provide consultation services to primary and specialty teams
• Assist with transitions of care including hospice referral when appropriate
• Educate patients, families, and healthcare teams on palliative care principles
• Maintain accurate, timely clinical documentation
• Participate in quality improvement, patient safety, and program development initiatives
• Supervise and educate advanced practice providers, residents, fellows, or medical students as applicable
• Comply with all regulatory, accreditation, and professional standards

Qualifications

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from an accredited medical school
• Completion of an accredited residency program (Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Neurology, Oncology, or related specialty)
• Fellowship training in Hospice and Palliative Medicine preferred
• Board-eligible or board-certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine preferred
• Ability to obtain and maintain unrestricted state medical licensure
• DEA registration or eligibility

Skills and Competencies

• Expertise in symptom management and serious illness care
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to facilitate complex and sensitive conversations
• Compassionate, patient- and family-centered approach
• Ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary teams

Work Environment

• Hospital inpatient units, outpatient clinics, and community-based care settings
• Call responsibilities as determined by program structure

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, and move throughout clinical environments
• Manual dexterity for clinical examinations and office-based procedures
• Visual and auditory acuity sufficient for patient assessment

Requirements

Must maintain state certification and/or licensure.

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