The Skilled Nursing Unit Post-Acute Care Physician is responsible and accountable for the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of patients determined to need Skilled Nursing Services. Coordinates the delivery of services to Skilled Nursing patients in collaboration with the Director of Skilled Nursing Unit. Participates in the monitoring of quality of care and outcomes. Develops strong communication linkage between the Skilled Nursing program and other stakeholders including medical and hospital staff. Provides guidance on policies making recommendations and decisions regarding Skilled Nursing services. Performs under the supervision of the Executive Director of Post Acute Care and collaboration with the CMO. Performs other job duties as applicable.

The Post-Acute Care Physician:

• Provides post-acute care for patients focused on symptom management and conducts goals of care conversations to elicit patients/families understanding of their condition, treatment options, and goals of care.
• Cooperates with other personnel to achieve the objectives of post-acute care and maintain good employee/interdepartmental/and public relations.
• Complies with all of the policies and procedures of the Skilled Nursing Unit and of the facility.
• Participates in the monitoring of quality of care and outcomes for all SNU patients.
• Maintains strong communication linkage between the SNU program and other key organizational stakeholders.
• Promotes the Skilled Nursing service in working with Medical and Hospital staffs and external agencies.
• Participates in weekly Interdisciplinary Team Meetings and others as assigned.
• Provides educational programs for hospital staff, physician, and external agencies in care.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills to appropriately communicate and interact with the patients, families, and visitors of all age groups while being sensitive to their cultural and religious beliefs.
• Maintains patient rights and confidentiality of patient information, and upholds the We CARE values. Performs under the supervision of the Executive Director of Post-Acute Care and collaboration with the CMO and Administrator for Skilled Nursing Unit.
• Admits and manages patients at Forrest General Hospital’s Skilled Nursing Unit, including participating in discharge planning meetings with patients and families while on the unit.
• Provides rotational supervisor services for the Family Medicine Residency Program when Residents are working in the post-acute care setting with Physician.
• Provides on-call services pursuant to a reasonable call schedule. The call schedule is typically defined as 1 five (5) day week per month and 1 weekend per month. Call coverage will cover only the Hospital’s Skilled Nursing Unit located at 6051 U.S. Highway 49, Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
• Complies with administrative policies/procedures and compliance guidelines developed by or on behalf of Hospital.
• Works closely and hand in hand with Case Management and Social Work Services at Forrest General Hospital to determine best placement of discharged patients into appropriate facility.
• Participates in Hospital’s Transition Program by facilitating appropriate placement of discharged patients into Forrest Health’s many varied post-acute facilities, achieving the appropriate level of care and patient satisfaction in the continuation of care after discharge. Units involved with the Forrest Health Post-Acute program include: FGH SNU, FGH Rehab, HCH skilled unit/swing bed, Marion General Skilled unit/swing bed, FG Home Care, FG Hospice.
• Collaborates with Nurse Practitioners assigned to work on FGH Skilled Nursing Unit.
• Examine, diagnose and treat all patients presenting themselves at Hospital determined to need the services of Program.
• Works with CMO to develop Hospital policy and Procedures with respect to management of geriatric population, assist in “Age Friendly” or similar requirements, and works with the Hospital’s trauma program on protocols for evaluating and managing geriatric trauma patients.
• Provided both Parties mutually agree to this service, provide consultation to the Hospitals inpatient rehabilitation unit needing spinal cord injury rehabilitation. Physician shall not be required to opine on cases that Physician believes are outside Physician’s scope, expertise or skill set.
• Participates in all activities necessary to meet DNV and other regulatory standards.
• Fully participates in the utilization management review process and any coding initiatives relating to the Transition Program.
• Participates in at least 75% of meetings relating to Transitions Program.
• In addition to the above, Physician shall have such other duties as are customary to the provision of the Services and as are assigned by Hospital from time to time.

Performance Expectations:

Performance expectations will be covered in the orientation and preceptor phases of your orientation to your job.

• Consistently demonstrates knowledge and competency in treatment of post-acute care patients.
• Consistently demonstrates the ability to provide education, training and development of medical and hospital staff in concepts of post-acute care.
• Consistently demonstrates the ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize work.
• Consistently demonstrates the ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary team members in providing patient care.
• Consistently demonstrates the ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary team members and outside agencies to reduce gaps in care.
• Consistently demonstrates leadership abilities to include but not limited to: vision, self-motivation, performance, determination, communication skills, credibility, ethical behavior and ability to motivate and achieve desired results through interaction with others.

Qualifications:

Education/Skills

Unrestricted license to practice medicine in the Specialty in the State of Mississippi without being subject to any disciplinary or corrective action. Board Certified or Board Eligible in the Specialty. Privileges and membership on the active staff of Hospital’s medical staff.

Work Experience:

Post-Acute Care experience preferred.

Certification/Licensure-DUE UPON HIRE

Current license to practice medicine in the State of Mississippi required. Member of Forrest General Hospital's active medical staff with privileges to practice required. Be eligible for Forrest General Hospital Malpractice insurance.