Description

Saint Francis LIFE is seeking a full-time Geriatric Medicine, Internal Medicine or Family Medicine physician to join its Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) organization located in New Castle County, Delaware.

The PACE model is centered on the belief that it is better for the well-being of seniors with chronic care needs and their families to be served in the community whenever possible. PACE serves individuals who are age 55 or older, certified by their state to need nursing home care, able to live safely in the community at the time of enrollment and live in a PACE service area. While all PACE participants must be certified to need nursing home care to enroll in PACE, only about 7 percent of PACE participants nationally reside in a nursing home. If a PACE enrollee needs nursing home care, the PACE program pays for it and continues to coordinate the enrollee's care. We encourage fellowship and independence while serving seniors and their families with dignity and respect.  Delivering all needed medical and supportive services, PACE is able to provide the entire continuum of care and services to seniors with chronic needs while maintaining their independence in their home for as long as possible.

The physician provides primary medical care to participants, including assessment, development of a plan of care in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, provision of direct participant medical care, and evaluation of effectiveness of the plan of care; functions in a collegial relationship with the other health care professionals, making independent decisions regarding medical needs and health regimens; carries out medical procedures as indicated.

Responsibilities for this opportunity include, but are not limited to:

• Participate as a member of the interdisciplinary team (IDT) and in initial, semi-annual, unscheduled, and annual assessments; attend morning updates and report changes in participants’ baseline status to appropriate staff on a daily basis.
• Provide initial and ongoing participant assessments, care plan development, and implementation of care plan.
• Integrate the primary care treatment plan into the overall plan of care developed by the interdisciplinary team. Interacts with team members to meet emergent and acute need of participants.  Evaluates and treats participants during acute illness. 
• Refer participants to medical specialist as indicated. Manages all care of participants in the nursing home: Provides regular visits to manage the care of participants in the nursing home in collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Team; maintains communication with nursing home staff for continuous monitoring of PACE participants on a case-by-case basis; admits nursing home participants to hospital when necessary.  Oversees and manages participant’s use of medical specialist and inpatient care.  Communicates and follows up with specialist regarding outcome of visit.
• Complete documentation and uses appropriate diagnostic coding.
• At the direction of the Medical Director reviews medical outcomes/statistical and utilization data, including reviewing of necessity of hospitalizations, and use of specialists. When problems are identified he/she works with the Medical Director to establish best practices and works with clinical staff and interdisciplinary team to make appropriate procedural and or operational changes to avoid unnecessary hospitalizations and improve the health of participants.

Requirements for this opportunity include, but are not limited to:

• Medical Degree or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Degree; current and active plenary physician license to practice in state of Delaware; CDS Certification and DEA Registration required; current BLS required.
• Minimum of one (1) year of documented experience working with a frail or elderly population.
• Interest in frail older adults and knowledge of their physical, mental, and social needs.
• Effective skills in physical assessment and chronic disease management for frail older adults.
• Desire to work in a creative alternate health care setting.
• Able to manage changing priorities according to participant needs.
• Possess interpersonal skills to drive collaboration, commitment and productivity when working with cross-functional teams, customers, and end users. Must be comfortable functioning in a virtual, collaborative shared leadership environment. 

This is an exciting opportunity for the right physician to join the team at Saint Francis LIFE.

RECRUITMENT PACKAGE

Saint Francis LIFE provides a competitive compensation and benefit package that complements this opportunity for personal growth and professional advancement.

ABOUT THE FACILITY 

Saint Francis LIFE understands that everyday activities and managing medical care can become difficult for seniors. We are dedicated to helping seniors living in New Castle County, Delaware, remain independent and live at home with assistance from our team of compassionate healthcare experts. Services are provided at our LIFE center and in the community at no cost to seniors who qualify.

Saint Francis LIFE is Delaware’s only Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).

Saint Francis LIFE provides compassionate, comprehensive care for each participant using an interdisciplinary team approach. This unique model of care allows LIFE to treat the whole person. Every day, the center’s interdisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, therapists, and social workers discuss the participant's customized care plan in an effort to improve health outcomes and quality of life for the participant. We value caregivers as partners in care.

Trinity Health PACE is the largest provider of PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) services in the country with 13 PACE Organizations operating in nine states. PACE is designed to provide the entire continuum of care and services to frail seniors, helping them to maintain their independence in their home and community for as long as possible

Trinity Health PACE organizations are nationally recognized providing comprehensive medical, health, recreational, and social services designed specifically for each participant in an effort to promote independence at home.  

To receive PACE services individuals must meet the following conditions:

• Be at least 55 years old
• Live is the PACE service area
• Be able to live safely in the community with assistance
• Meet the state's nursing facility level of care

PACE Organization's use an interdisciplinary team approach to provide all health, medical and social services necessary to restore and preserve the participant's level of well-being.  IDT's are composed of a primary care physician, nurse, social worker, physical therapist, occupational therapist, recreational therapist or activity coordinator, dietitian, PACE center supervisor, home care liaison, health workers/aids, or their representatives, and drivers or their representatives.

IDT evaluates the needs of each individual and develops an individualized plan of care (POC) consistent with the participant's goals and needs. During a center visit, participants may be seen in the clinic for a medical evaluation, the gym for PT or OT exercises, and participate in the recreational activities of the day. They receive a light breakfast and a full lunch while in the center. The fleet of transportation vehicles are available to transport to the center, to home or to any external provider visits.  Depending on the situation, a participant may have home care aides, home nursing visits or a house call from their Primary Care Provider. All services are focused on maintaining the participant in the community and as independent as possible.  

Trinity Health PACE Organizations are located in the following states: 

• Alabama – Mercy LIFE of Alabama
• Delaware – Saint Francis LIFE
• Indiana – Saint Joseph PACE
• Massachusetts – Mercy LIFE of Massachusetts
• Michigan – LifeCircles PACE
• New Jersey – LIFE St. Francis & Trinity Health LIFE New Jersey
• New York – Catholic Health LIFE & Eddy Senior Care
• North Carolina – LIFE St. Joseph of the Pines
• Pennsylvania – LIFE St. Mary, Mercy LIFE PA and Mercy LIFE – West Philadelphia

Trinity Health PACE is a member of Trinity Health, the second largest Catholic Health System in the nation. Trinity Health is based in Livonia, Michigan.

ABOUT TRINITY HEALTH

Trinity Health is one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation. We serve people and communities in 22 states from coast to coast with more than 90 hospitals and 100 continuing care facilities – including home care, hospice, PACE and senior living facilities and programs that provide nearly two and a half million visits annually. Trinity Health employs more than 133,000 colleagues, including 7,800 employed physicians and clinicians. 

Our mission: We, Trinity Health, serve together in the spirit of the Gospel as a compassionate and transforming healing presence within our communities. We support this mission by living our core values of Reverence, Commitment to Those Who are Poor, Justice, Stewardship, and Integrity. Committed to recruiting talented physicians, we are looking for physicians who share our values and want to help us fulfill the health care needs of the communities we serve.

At Trinity Health, we value the physician relationship and focus on partnering with our physicians. Whether you are a practicing physician looking to relocate or a medical resident, we offer opportunities with the flexibility to fit your individual needs. If you would like to be part of Trinity Health, we encourage you to explore this opportunity at www.trinity-health.org.

If you are interested in this opportunity and would like to submit your CV, please email docopps@trinity-health.org or call Trinity Health Physician Recruitment at (734) 343-2300.

Requirements

Requirements for this opportunity include, but are not limited to:

• Medical Degree or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Degree; current and active plenary physician license to practice in state of Delaware; CDS Certification and DEA Registration required; current BLS required.
• Minimum of one (1) year of documented experience working with a frail or elderly population.
• Interest in frail older adults and knowledge of their physical, mental, and social needs.
• Effective skills in physical assessment and chronic disease management for frail older adults.
• Desire to work in a creative alternate health care setting.
• Able to manage changing priorities according to participant needs.
• Possess interpersonal skills to drive collaboration, commitment and productivity when working with cross-functional teams, customers, and end users. Must be comfortable functioning in a virtual, collaborative shared leadership environment.