Hospice & Palliative Care Executive Director

Hospice and Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard Executive Director

FLSA Status: Exempt       Reports To: Board of Directors

The Executive Director is responsible for oversight of the day-to-day operations for the non-profit hospice and palliative care program services 24/7 across the care continuum ensuring that all services are of high quality, integrated, and consistent with the mission of Hospice and Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard.

The Executive Director is employed by and responsible to the Board of Directors and manages all aspects of hospice and palliative care services, as a liaison between the board, staff, volunteers, and island community.

Performance Standards: Proficient in responsibilities specific to the position.

• Plans overall development and administration consistent with the standards for hospice care of the National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization, under the direction of the Board of Directors.
• Ensures that the agency is in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws in the maintenance of its certification and accreditation.
• Establishes and maintains a value-based team culture for staff, volunteers, and community partners through regular communications, meetings, and support activities.
• Cooperates with other health and health-related agencies and organizations to ensure access to hospice and palliative care services available to those in need.
• Directs the work of the agency to ensure coordinated delivery of services, across all settings, and implementation of policies and procedures regarding all activities and services provided by the staff, volunteers, and contract providers.
• Provides professional leadership, establishing strong working relationships with all area service providers, donors, and community partners.
• Develops, implements and evaluates patient care, human resources, and administrative policies and procedures through periodic review to ensure quality care and compliance with applicable regulations and standards.
• Works closely with the Medical Director and Interdisciplinary Leadership Group in areas of policy development, admissions, Medicare/State regulations, and quality improvement.
• Oversees the fiscal affairs of the agency, including development and proposal of an annual budget for the Board's approval, providing for an effective system of budgeting, accounting, case and cost management, and the maintenance of financial records.
• Maintains overall responsibility of personnel administration and development within the agency.
• Establishes contracts and agreements for provision of service and monitors contract services.
• Keeps the governing body informed of the agency’s operations, as well as health care trends and legislation that may impact the hospice.
• Oversees the fundraising activities and an ongoing public relations program.
• Acts as a representative to Island community, as well as state and national professional organizations.
• Supervises physical operations and assets of the agency.
• Responsible for implementation of a quality assessment - performance improvement (QAPI) program.
• Employs, educates, supports, manages, evaluates, and/or terminates all staff either directly or by delegation, to support staff operations.
• Acts as ex-officio member of all committees of the Board and works in a consultative relationship with these committees.
• Maintains critical working collaborations with Martha's Vineyard Hospital administration, community care partners such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and other community organizations.
• Promotes the hospice through strategic leadership and participation in community and professional organizations, community presentations, marketing, and fundraising events.
• Performs other duties assigned as required or requested by the Board of Directors.

Professional Development: Maintains currency in contemporary hospice practice, clinical skill,s and health care policy.

• Must obtain and maintain any applicable certification required for the performance of this functional role.
• Assumes responsibility as a self-directed professional for ongoing continuing education and fosters a culture of professional development for staff and volunteers.
• Completes and submits on time self-evaluation of professional practice on an annual basis; develops measurable and achievable professional goals and specific objectives.
• Collects, compiles, and documents Quality Assessment/Performance Improvement (QAPI) monitoring information according to established standards and time frames, ensuring findings reflect care or services provided within established standards.
• Participates in agency and community programs as requested to promote professional growth and understanding of hospice care.
• Serves as a resource and a role model for peers and new employees.
• Demonstrates knowledge of hospice reimbursement systems and an awareness of cost-effective utilization of resources in planning patient care.

Customer Service: Supports a culture committed to the highest standards of customer satisfaction.

• Interacts effectively with internal and external customers, responding promptly to all customer needs.
• Proactively creates standards and trains and models respect, courtesy, and sensitivity for others.
• Establishes culture of service excellence agency wide.
• Ensures the image of the hospice as an ethical and high-quality provider.

Fiscal Stewardship: Oversees fundraising, reimbursement and financial stability of the agency.

• Demonstrates the ability to understand and use financial information for the good of the organization including accounts receivable and accounts payable, providing monthly reports to the board.
• Utilizes financial management principles for fiscally sound decisions and long-term fiscal viability.
• Develops and implements an operating budget to address changing priorities and manages to financial and budget targets
• Fosters an environment that encourages fiscal responsibility and stewardship of community donations.

Team Approach/Innovation: Maintains a positive team culture to ensure individual and team support and accountability.

• Establishes a culture of value-based teamwork, collaborating effectively with others to achieve strategic goals and positive work outcomes.
• Supports team concept, engaging staff and volunteers, fostering creative innovation and positive change management.
• Remains available and open to communications with board, staff, volunteers, and community partners.
• Creates a climate of cooperation, recognition, innovation, contribution, and kindness.

Safety and Risk Management: Is responsible for working in a manner that promotes safety for self and others.

• Observes infection control procedures and techniques, including maintaining universal precautions, using personal protective equipment as indicated, and disposal of sharps and hazardous waste.
• Promotes and maintains a safe environment for patients/families and staff/volunteers.
• Monitors and responds to Unusual Occurrence Reports, including monthly surveillance and quarterly reports/recommendations to the board and IDT Leadership Group.

Professional Behavior: Demonstrates high standards of professional behavior.

• Accepts constructive criticism and uses it in a positive manner.
• Exhibits positive attitude in all interactions, while promoting equality and justice.
• Promotes and adheres to ethical standards in all actions representing the agency.
• Maintains a neat and professional appearance and workspace.
• Demonstrates agency-wide consistency of values, principles, actions, methods, and outcomes.

All activities must be in compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity laws, HIPAA, PHI, ERISA, and other regulations, as appropriate.

The above statements are only meant to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job related tasks other than those stated in this description.

Functional Abilities:

• Ability to transport self to patient’s home/facility; multiple locations in a work day.
• Able to stoop and bend.
• Able to lift and carry effectively so as to be able to perform the above listed functions.
• Able to read 10 points or larger type.
• Able to hear and speak in a manner understood by most people.
• Communicates effectively in English both orally and in writing sufficient to prepare and send reports, and to interact with patients, staff and peers (proficiency in a second language which corresponds to the language of a significant portion of the patient population is helpful)