Primary Care Physician

Primary Care Physician

Center for Elders’ Independence is a PACE (Program of All- Inclusive Care for the Elderly) organization that uses an interdisciplinary team approach to care planning and care implementation for the purpose of providing high quality, affordable, integrated health care services to the elderly, including an Adult Day Health Center, and promoting autonomy, quality of life and the ability of individuals to live in their communities.

Unlike other healthcare plans, CEI is not a "fee-for-service" plan. It is a “capitation” healthcare plan. CEI is paid a set amount for each person enrolled in our program, whether or not that individual seeks care. We are a growing company that offers stability and continues to thrive.

The Position

Under the direction of the Chief Medical Officer, the Primary Care Physician (PCP) is responsible for the medical care of participants enrolled in the PACE program. The Primary Care Physician provides medical care to participants and leadership for the PACE team.

The PCP provides guidance and education to interdisciplinary team (IDT) members regarding medical issues and works collaboratively with clinic leadership and site managers to ensure effective clinic and site medical care.

The Primary Care Physician role models a collaborative partnership with the family and other caregivers to ensure that all the participant's medical and non-medical care needs are met.

The salary range for the Primary Care Physician position at Center for Elders Independence is $206,000 - $329,600 per year. Salary based on the market for the Primary Care Physician position, as well as experience, skills, abilities and work history

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides comprehensive coordinated medical care as guided by the PACE benefit to include:
• Conducts comprehensive initial, 6 month, annual and periodic assessments of program participants.
• Participates with interdisciplinary team in development and implementation of participants’ care plans.
• Reviews and signs care plans every 6 months.
• Collaborates with and supervises as appropriate and necessary CEI nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
• Conducts quarterly reviews and care of other medical issues as feasible in between assessments.
• Updates care plans per policies and procedures as new problems arise.
• Updates IDT with regard to participant medical issues as needed in frequent team meetings.
• Participates in IDT discussions, care conferences, and family meetings as needed.
• Provides primary care assessment and treatment to program participants.
• Oversees and orders most diagnostic tests and medications.
• Arranges appropriate follow-up including or consulting with participants’ family and support network.
• Oversees optimal specialist referral and care coordination, guided by close collaboration with participants and by what matters most to them.
• Provides on-call telephonic medical services to participants for after-hours coverage on a rotating basis
• Coordinates Care of hospitalized participants with hospitalist physicians.

Guides appropriate use of hospital and emergency department services and coordinates discharge with the Continuing Care Service Committee and IDT members.

Manages care of participants in nursing homes as assigned and may assume primary responsibility for nursing home participants.

• Follows up with nursing home staff and other IDT member to ensure care plan is followed.
• Maintains a close, collegial working relationship with IDT members.
• Documents all clinical interactions in the electronic medical record
• Attends and provides medical guidance at provider and clinic meetings.

Participates in task forces, ethics discussions, infection control committee, and other meetings when requested.

Assures that participant medical records are kept up to date, accurate, and legible, including the care plan, medical problem list, flow sheet, and progress notes.

• Assists with clinic and administrative staff to keep clinic function smooth and efficient.
• Participates in quality assurance performance improvement program (QAPI).
• Maintains the confidentiality of procedures, results and information and respects the Health Information Privacy and Accountability Act at all times.
• Follows all CEI Policies and Procedures.
• Complies with all agency training requirements.
• Maintains safe working environment by following CEI’s safety P&P’s.

Maintains a courteous, helpful and professional attitude on the job. Displays a willingness and ability to be responsive to all customer groups.

Performs other duties as assigned in a positive and helpful manner.

Qualifications

Physician holding an M.D. degree and a current, unrestricted license to practice medicine in California. Employee must arrange to meet CME requirements for renewing license.

• Minimum of 1 year of experience working with a frail or elderly population.
• Demonstrated commitment to work with diverse frail elders preferred.
• Formal training in Internal Medicine or Family Practice to meet requirements for board certification.
• Sub-specialty training or experience in Geriatrics preferred.
• A current Drug Enforcement Agency Certificate.
• Desire to work in the framework of a PACE model interdisciplinary team, and to understand and perform the physician role within the team.

A Current Certification in Basic Life Support

• Strong communication, interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Ability to effectively collaborate to problem-solve complex issues.

Strong Verbal and Written Communication Skills

Ability to work as a team player in a multi-cultural, inter-disciplinary setting.

The above job description is intended to communicate the general function of the mentioned position and by no means shall be considered an exhaustive or complete outline of the specific tasks and functions that will be required.

CEI reserves the right to change job descriptions, site assignments, and or work hours as required by the needs of the program. All employees are expected to perform their duties within their ability as required by the job and/or as requested by management.