Hospice Physician/NP

A strong hospice program starts with physician leadership. Our hospice physician provides physician oversight that keeps your plan of care safe, timely, and focused on comfort. You receive patient first guidance, clear explanations, and decisive action so relief does not wait.

Role Of The Hospice Hospice Physician

• Leads The Interdisciplinary Team. The hospice physician chairs case reviews with your registered nurse, social worker, chaplain, aide, and pharmacist to align the hospice care plan around your goals.
• Certifies Eligibility. Works with your attending physician to certify and recertify the Medicare hospice benefit when criteria are met.
• Optimizes Pain And Symptom Management. Evaluates complex symptoms and adjusts orders for pain, breathlessness, anxiety, nausea, agitation, secretions, and insomnia.
• Coordinates Levels Of Care. Recommends the right level at the right time, including Routine Home Care, Continuous Home Care, Inpatient Respite, or General Inpatient Care when criteria are met.
• Supports Advance Care Planning. Reviews preferences and documents such as POLST, DNR, living will, and healthcare power of attorney so care matches your wishes.
• Home Visits When Appropriate. Provides in-home or facility evaluations to stabilize symptoms and prevent avoidable hospital trips whenever possible.

How Physician Oversight Improves Comfort

• Personalized Medication Strategy. The hospice physician collaborates with your nurse and pharmacist to choose the least burdensome medications, simplify schedules, and set clear instructions for breakthrough symptoms.
• Rapid Response To Changes. When new symptoms appear, orders are updated quickly and communicated to your care team and family caregivers.
• Transparent Communication. You and your loved ones receive plain-language explanations of options, benefits, and potential side effects so decisions feel informed and respectful.
• Care That Respects Your Routine. Orders are tailored to daily life at home, including mobility, skin protection, nutrition, and sleep.

Working With Your Physician

You can keep your primary care doctor or specialist involved. Our hospice physician shares updates, discusses recommendations, and documents decisions in the plan of care. This in this together approach maintains continuity while adding hospice expertise in pain and symptom control.

What To Expect In The First 48 Hours

• Review of your medical history, current medications, allergies, and goals
• Comfort plan initiated with standing and as-needed orders for common symptoms
• Equipment and supplies coordinated with same day authorization whenever possible
• Clear instructions for 24 hour clinical phone support and when to call for help

Common Questions

Who signs hospice eligibility?
Your attending physician and the hospice physician certify a prognosis of six months if the illness follows its usual course.

Can treatments that support comfort continue?
Yes. Treatments that improve comfort and quality of life can continue under hospice. The hospice physician helps decide what aligns with your goals.

What if symptoms escalate at home?
Your team may add Continuous Home Care for short term, around the clock support, or arrange General Inpatient Care if needed for intensive symptom management.

How often is the plan reviewed?
Cases are reviewed regularly and any time needs change. The hospice physician ensures the plan stays results oriented and aligned with your wishes.

Our Commitment

The hospice physician embodies our core values: Patient First, Honesty and Transparency, Make Things Happen, Results Oriented, and In This Together. You can expect compassionate leadership, decisive action, and coordination that keeps care simple and effective at home.