Palliative care Physician

Responsibility

The hospice and palliative care Physician provides clinical services that reflect the organization’s philosophy and mission; to provide dignity, compassion and comfort for persons on the journey to life’s end. The care will reduce physical, psychosocial, and spiritual suffering and increase the quality of life for hospice patients and families.

As a member of the interdisciplinary team, the physician works under the direction and the supervision of the Medical Director regarding all medical issues. He/ She will also be guided and directed by the Medical Director, in providing skilled medical assessment, planning and care provision in order to maximize the comfort and health of patients and families.

The Palliative physician is responsible for identifying patient/ family needs and for providing supportive care in accordance with the plan of care set with the hospice Nurse.

Functions

The physician is expected to work 12 hours per week under the supervision of the Medical Director and in coordination with the Medical Coordinator and the Head of the nursing unit. The physician is expected to carry out the following tasks in accordance with the organization's clinical practice policies:

1. Clinical tasks

• Approves patient admissions,
• Supervises the medical admission evaluation to determine Goals of care, care plan, and monitoring of plan implementation.
• Ensures that the care plan for patients encompasses the ethics and values of palliative care,
• Coordinates care plan with the primary physician of patient.
• Performs home visits (at least once a week for all patients),
• Provides medical advice and prescriptions for SANAD hospice nurses,
• Monitors the quality of care provided by the nurses,
• Evaluates the effects of the care given and regularly reevaluates the patient’s nursing needs,
• Conducts regular and periodic meetings with the team, to ensure implementation of the internal medical and nursing policies,
• Ensures end of life discussion taking place with the family takes place as set in the Practical Policy,
• Ensures a weekly meeting with the Nurse to discuss patients’ update, progress, and challenges faced,
• Is available for the families to respond to and provide answers should they need it throughout the care period,
• Is available for the Nurse/s on as deemed necessary or urgent by the Nurse/s.
• Conducts periodic meetings with the Medical Director in Beirut to ensure regular discussion over progress, challenges faced, alternative solutions and all other technical matters.  

• Participates in related conferences, trainings, workshops and study groups to enhance his/her experience and in turn share all findings with the hospice team,

Non-clinical

The physician may be invited to take part in the organization’s training and awareness raising projects as needed.

Qualifications:

• Medical degree from an accredited School of Medicine
• Current license to practice medicine in Lebanon with
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience. 
• Experience in hospice and palliative care strongly preferred.
• Able to communicate effectively in Arabic and in English, both verbally and in writing
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent writing and presentation skills
• Knowledge in computer software applications such as Microsoft Office