Hospice Medical Director

Internal Number: 4368209
Posted: 13-Jul-26
Location: Modesto, California
Type: Full Time, Exempt

About the role

Community Hospice & Health Services (CHHS) is the largest and oldest nonprofit hospice, advanced care management (non-pharmacological palliative care), and support services provider in the Central Valley. Accredited by Community Health Accreditation Partners (CHAP), CHHS has been supporting and providing compassionate, high-quality services to the community since 1979. Our mission is to embrace individuals and families facing life-changing journeys, enhancing quality of life for all.

The Medical Director leads physician and nurse practitioner teams to ensure regulatory compliance, high-quality patient care, and revenue goals. This executive leadership role involves active engagement with referral partners, strategic oversight of interdisciplinary teams, and advocacy for hospice and palliative care in the community.

Average daily census: Hospice #265 and Palliative #150. CHHS operates a sixteen-bed inpatient unit, Alexander Cohen Hospice House, and seven Hope Chest Thrift Stores throughout the Central Valley.

Responsibilities

• Provide general management of medical care for assigned hospice patients, ensuring compliance with CMS quality standards and interdisciplinary team functioning.
• Supervise Associate Medical Directors, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician’s Assistants to achieve patient care within approved budgets, including performance evaluations.
• Oversee medical documentation, certification, and recertification to industry standards, including CTIs, Death Certificates, and Patient Visit notes.
• Certify and recertify patient eligibility for hospice care in conjunction with attending physicians, based on terminal diagnosis and six-month prognosis.
• Engage in QAPI processes to set and meet quality goals aligned with CMS regulations and Standards of Participation.
• Lead and oversee effective IDT meetings to manage patient care related to terminal illness.
• Consult with primary care/attending physicians on pain and symptom control, issue prescriptions (including Schedule II drugs), and develop clinical protocols.
• Provide training and ongoing education for AMDs, PAs, and NPs relevant to hospice care.
• Collaborate with the Business Development team to build and maintain relationships with referral sources through educational forums.
• Oversee physician care activities at Alexander Cohen Hospice House, including on-site visits.
• Determine on-call/weekend schedules at least one month in advance and provide coverage as needed.
• Visit patients in homes, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and Alexander Cohen Hospice House, and arrange palliative care consults as needed.
• Attend Senior Leadership, Strategic Planning, and Board meetings to report on medical services.
• Ensure compliance with audits and reviews, and work with Finance to provide billing and documentation data to AMDs, PAs, and NPs.
• Maintain clear and current licenses, certifications, and immunizations for all AMDs, PAs, and NPs.
• Advocate for CHHS and the hospice/palliative care industries in the community.
• Ensure all physician contracts are current and valid.
• Adhere to CHHS policies, including safety, infection control, privacy, confidentiality, and HIPAA.

Qualifications

• MD or DO with an active, unrestricted California license and primary certification in internal medicine or another specialty.
• 2+ years of experience in hospice care.
• Executive leadership management experience.
• Knowledge of California-specific regulations and Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoPs).
• Board certified in hospice and palliative care from ABIM, AAHPM, or HMDC (eligibility for future certification acceptable).

Skills

• Excellent written and oral communication, including explaining complex terms to patients, families, and staff.
• Strong interpersonal skills with patients, families, staff, and community medical providers.
• Ability to function as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to drive to patient homes and provide care in home settings.
• Physical ability to read data from screens, operate computers, and use portable devices.

Pay

Salary Range: $265,000 - $325,000 plus incentive opportunities for performance income.

Additional compensation includes E&M billing for patient visits and on-call opportunities.

Benefits

• CME reimbursement.
• Malpractice coverage.
• Generous health and retirement benefits.