Medical Director - Hospice Care

Heritage Healthcare Services; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PRN Benefits

Competitive compensation

Supportive interdisciplinary team

Opportunity to shape program growth

Job summary

Heritage Hospice in Albuquerque seeks a Medical Director to provide clinical leadership and oversight for hospice services. The role ensures accurate eligibility determinations, regulatory compliance, and collaboration with the interdisciplinary team to deliver compassionate care.

Qualified candidates hold an MD or DO, possess NM licensure, and have 2–3 years of relevant hospice or geriatric experience. Strong communication skills and commitment to patient-centered care are essential.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams.
• Understanding hospice regulations and Medicare requirements.
• Ability to lead clinical teams and ensure high-quality patient care.

Responsibilities

• Provide medical oversight and direction for all hospice clinical services.
• Review and certify terminal prognosis and eligibility for hospice care.
• Conduct physician-level assessments for complex cases and care planning.
• Lead and participate in IDT meetings and quality reviews.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and CMS hospice regulations.

Skills

Medical leadership

Regulatory compliance

Clinical documentation

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

MD/DO

Job description

Heritage Hospice is excited to resume services in the Albuquerque community. Our dedicated team is back and ready to provide compassionate, high-quality end-of-life care for patients and families across the region.

The Hospice Medical Director provides clinical leadership, oversight, and guidance to ensure the delivery of high-quality, compassionate hospice care. This position serves as the primary medical resource for the interdisciplinary team (IDT), supports accurate and compliant hospice eligibility determinations, and upholds regulatory standards established by Medicare, state regulations, and organizational policy.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide medical oversight and direction for all hospice clinical services.
• Review and certify terminal prognosis and eligibility for hospice care, including recertification decisions and documentation.
• Conduct physician-level assessments as needed for complex cases, symptom management, and care planning.
• Partner with Nurse Practitioners performing Face-to-Face visits to ensure accurate alignment of clinical findings with certifying statements.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team (RN Case Managers, Social Workers, Chaplains, CNAs) to develop and review individualized plans of care.
• Provide expert consultation on pain and symptom management, medication use, and evidence-based hospice practices.
• Participate in IDT meetings, quality reviews, and case conferences.
• Lead quality improvement initiatives focused on symptom control, service intensity, regulatory compliance, and patient outcomes.
• Serve as a clinical liaison with attending physicians, specialists, and healthcare partners.
• Support staff education on disease trajectories, eligibility criteria, documentation standards, and hospice philosophy.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and CMS hospice regulations, including timely completion of physician certification statements and oversight responsibilities.
• Represent the hospice program professionally within the community and healthcare network.

Qualifications

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO).
• Current and unrestricted New Mexico medical license.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of relevant clinical experience; hospice, palliative care, or geriatric experience strongly preferred.
• Understanding of hospice regulations, Medicare requirements, and clinical documentation standards.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care.

What We Offer

• PRN Benefits
• Competitive compensation
• Supportive interdisciplinary environment
• Opportunity to shape clinical excellence and hospice program growth