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 the physical, psychosocial and spiritual suffering and increase the quality of life for hospice patients and families.

As a member of the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT), 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 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

Under the supervision of the Medical Director and in accordance with the "Practice Policy" and the "Medical protocol", the physician is expected to carry out the following tasks:

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

2. Technical knowledge tasks

• Participates in the development of written material, published papers and articles on hospice care
• Participates in efforts to increase community awareness on end-of-life issues
• Conducts desk research on palliative / hospice care to inform SANAD policies and strategy
• Participates in the development of palliative care projects and activities in Lebanon and in the Region
• Contributes to technical training plans for the executive team
• Contributes to SANAD’s research direction and annual plans
• Contributes to training workshops, lectures and related activities in hospice and palliative care
• Assists in developing technical funding proposals for SANAD’s technical activities and programs

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