Advise in the recruitment and selection of program medical directors. Participate in the training of program medical directors, utilizing VITAS training materials as they are developed. Participate in assuring that program medical directors have appropriate competencies as defined by VITAS. Participate in the yearly evaluation of the program medical directors they work with. Establish and maintain direct communication with program medical directors as assigned by the Chief Medical Officer. Consult with and advise these program medical directors regarding certification and recertification standards for patients taken under care. Oversee and mentor program medical directors in implementing pain and non-pain symptom management guidelines. Assist each program medical director assigned in development of personal yearly work goals and mentor medical directors to the achievement of these goals. Assist in professional development of program medical directors in the areas of administration and management, leadership sld11s, and presentation skills. Assist and guide program medical directors in recruitment, selection and training of team physicians. Assist in assuring that all team physicians have appropriate competencies as defined by VITAS. Participate in role of internal consultant to program clinical staff in the areas of hospice and palliative care. Assist National Patient Care Administrators in the clinical development of team managers and primary care nurses. Assist Regional Directors of Market Development in their goals and projects to further education and information dissemination in the communities served. Participate in strategic meetings with potential collaborative partners in the various markets, and provide medical expertise, professional relationship building and public presentations Participate in strategic meetings with potential collaborative partners in the various markets, and provide medical expertise, professional relationship building and public presentations Provide updates and reports to the Chief Medical Officer on trends and issues unique to the region served and on strategic challenges and opportunities. Participate in VITAS committees and on projects as requested. Create a model that supports the organization's mission and values based on an internal and external needs assessment. Monitors the internal/external environment and identifies opportunities to fulfill the corporate strategy. Sets priorities for planning activities for assigned programs Participates in medical policy development QUALIFICATIONS Five to ten years as a practicing physician and demonstrate administrative/managerial responsibilities in a healthcare setting Demonstrated knowledge and well-developed skills in: general medicine and ppharmacology; Palliative medicine, pain and non-pain symptom control; Psychosocial and spiritual care for the dying Knowledge of: Healthcare law, Medicare and Medicaid/MediCal regulations as they relate to hospice and palliative medicine. Conditions of Participation in the Medicare Hospice Benefit Stark regulations Knowledge of policies and practices involved in the human resources function Ability to manage a staff in a positive and productive manner by motivating, developing and managing employees as they work Ability to utilize and administer the disciplinary action process through coaching and counseling to improve performance or terminate employment. Ability to communicate tactfully, verbally and in writing with department heads, managers, coworkers and vendors to resolve problems and negotiate resolutions Working knowledge of computers, internet access, and the ability to navigate within an automated systems as well as a variety of software packages such as Excel and Word. EDUCATION Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy degree Unencumbered licensed to practice medicine in primary state of Residence SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES EOE/AA M/F/D/V