Job Description: Hospice Medical Director

  Location: Oregon; Portland Metro Service Area

Position Type: Part Time to Full Time; Hybrid

  About Us

Primrose Hospice is a company formed by career healthcare providers who are dedicated to returning to the heart of hospice care—putting patients, families, and care providers at the center of the experience. Unlike the corporate model of hospice, our mission is to restore the personal, flexible, and compassionate approach that honors the dignity of each life; a truly compassionate, comforting holistic care model.

This position offers the rare opportunity to shape a growing organization from the ground up, with the ability to grow in scope as our patient census increases.

Position Summary

The Hospice Medical Director serves as the physician leader of the interdisciplinary group (IDG) and provides overall medical direction and guidance for the hospice program in compliance with Medicare Conditions of Participation (42 CFR Part 418), Oregon Administrative Rules for Hospice Programs (OAR 333-035), and ACHC accreditation standards. This role ensures the delivery of medically appropriate, compassionate, and ethical hospice care to each patient on service, while collaborating with clinical and administrative leadership.

This is initially a stipend/per-diem position with a flexible schedule, designed for a physician who desires meaningful, patient-centered work outside of the corporate hospice environment or daily routine of clinical work. The role has the opportunity to grow as patient census grows, and as desired, into a scheduled part time or full time schedule.

The Hospice Medical Director is responsible for providing clinical leadership and expertise to the hospice for the purpose of improving patient medical care and symptom palliation. This position collaborates with the hospice team and ensures integration of primary and palliative medicine by coordinating with referring PCPs and specialists and/or becoming the attending MD.

The Hospice MD attends IDG meetings as scheduled (remotely or in-person), acting as a medical resource for the team, guiding the work of those who provide direct medical services (RN, NP, PA, LPN, CAN and others), and assuring compliance with medical standards of care for hospice.

Essential Responsibilities

Clinical

• Evaluates patient eligibility for hospice care.

• Certifies that individuals meet the medical criteria for admission and ongoing recertification, based on recognized prognostic indicators.

• Collaborates with the IDG and attending physician to create, implement, and update individualized plans of care that address patient needs/goals.

• Provides medical oversight and support to hospice staff as attending physician or in situations where the attending physician is unavailable.

• Delivers medical management in alignment with the patient’s plan of care, in coordination with the attending physician (if not the hospice MD) and tailored to the patient’s condition.

• Serves as a resource for hospice staff, patients, families, and attending physicians in matters of pain control and symptom management.

• Conducts home visits for patient evaluation and care when clinically indicated and appropriate.

• Ensures round-the-clock (24/7) access to medical services for patients and the IDG through pre-established coverage arrangements, or personally.

• Offers consultation, education, and support to the IDG and attending physicians on issues related to eligibility, symptom control, and overall hospice care.

• Accurately documents evidence of disease progression in the patient’s medical record alongside IDG.

• Reviews patient medications and treatment plans to confirm medical necessity and cost-effectiveness.

• Provides leadership in developing and reviewing clinical guidelines and protocols to promote appropriate referrals and consistent, high-quality care.

• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of hospice care practices, including regulations and reimbursement requirements, and integrates this knowledge into daily clinical practice.

Operations

• Ensures the consistent delivery and coordination of hospice medical services.

• Confirms that patients receive proper interventions to effectively manage discomfort and symptoms.

• Guarantees physician involvement in the creation and ongoing review of each patient’s hospice plan of care.

• Engages in quality improvement efforts, helping to identify and act on opportunities to enhance patient care and safety.

• Contributes to organizational budgeting processes and strategic planning initiatives.

• Participates in the creation, revision, and implementation of patient care policies and emergency response procedures, as necessary.

• Responds promptly and appropriately to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.

Education/Counseling

• May be asked to participate in family meetings to educate patients and families on medical conditions and the pros and cons of treatments or medications.

• Consults with the patient’s PCP as needed regarding eligibility for hospice care, pain and symptom control. Complements PCP/attending physician care or becomes attending physician upon Hospice care election.

Qualifications

• Licensed MD/DO in Oregon (unrestricted)

• Experience in hospice, palliative care, geriatrics, or related field preferred

• Knowledge of hospice CoPs, Oregon hospice rules, and ACHC standards

• Knowledge of LCD Guidelines and Disease Progressions in Hospice

• Strong communication and collaboration skills

• Board certification in Hospice & Palliative Medicine a plus

Compensation & Opportunity

• Initial Role: Stipend/Per-Diem, with highly flexible scheduling.

• Growth Potential: As the patient census increases, this role has opportunity to scale with an increased compensation package and PT/FT involvement.

• A chance to step away from the corporate medical environment and engage in truly meaningful, personal, and flexible work.

Join Us

✨ If you are a physician seeking an opportunity to guide and shape a new hospice organization, to practice medicine at the heart of compassion, and to help restore dignity to end-of-life care in Oregon, we invite you to apply.

Together, we can bring hospice back to where it belongs—Join us in shaping a hospice that is a sanctuary of comfort and care.

Submit your resume and a brief letter of interest, so we may get to know you a little better!