Clinical Director

About the Role

The Clinical Director is responsible for managing the hospice’s clinical department, including hiring new staff, preparing budgets, and ensuring all records are up-to-date. This role oversees all hospice care for terminally ill patients, families, and caregivers, providing 24/7 support.

Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited school of nursing.
• Currently licensed as a registered nurse to practice in the state.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in hospice/home care and at least 1 year of supervisory experience.
• Active patient contact within the past three years (preferred).
• Ability to work independently, make accurate and timely judgments, and supervise others appropriately.
• Ability to respond appropriately to crises (patient or employee-related).
• Acceptance of and adaptability to diverse social, racial, cultural, and religious backgrounds.

Physical Requirements

• Requires considerable physical effort most of the day, including kneeling, squatting, reaching, twisting, climbing, and walking.
• Exposure to temperature and humidity changes.
• Maximal assistance in lifting and/or transferring patients up to 100 pounds.
• Must possess sight/hearing senses or use adaptive devices to meet essential duties.
• Must provide evidence of annual TB test and other state-required examinations.

Mental Requirements

• Ability to work independently, make judgments based on assessments, and act accordingly.
• Flexibility, innovation, and strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to cope with mental and emotional stress while demonstrating emotional stability.

Working Conditions

• Exposure to odors, blood, body fluids, excrements, and hazardous materials.
• Adverse environmental conditions.
• Must have a current valid driver’s license, auto liability insurance, and reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

• Develops and ensures compliance with standards for safe and effective patient and family care.
• Participates in strategic planning and staffing decisions with the Executive Director.
• Recruits, hires, evaluates, and terminates clinical staff.
• Plans and conducts orientation, training, and continuing education for employees.
• Maintains and revises policies and procedures to meet Medicare, Medicaid, accreditation, state, and federal standards.
• Coordinates interdisciplinary team services, ensuring ongoing patient/family assessments and updates to care plans.
• Assures physician approval of care plans for continuity of medical care.
• Provides support to staff regarding job-related stress or issues.
• Organizes hospice operations, delegating authority and defining roles for safe and effective service delivery.
• Coordinates hospice services with community agencies.
• Serves as a role model for professionalism in attendance, conduct, and job performance.
• Ensures confidentiality and safeguards patient-related information.
• Develops cooperative relationships with physicians and communicates professionally.
• Investigates and reports patient care issues or conditions that may harm patients or employees.
• Reports accidents, incidents, or unusual occurrences to the Executive Director immediately.
• Attends continuing education programs and shares knowledge with staff.
• Works with the Executive Director to identify budgetary needs and monitor resource use.
• Oversees the Quality Assessment/Performance Improvement (QAPI) program.
• Available during and after operating hours, with designated coverage for absences.
• Participates in 24/7 on-call coverage.
• Plans and supervises clinical staff assignments.
• Ensures development, implementation, and evaluation of patients’ plans of care.
• Conducts patient case conferences, in-services, staff meetings, and community education projects.