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Gentiva
Altoona, Pennsylvania

Hospice Physician Designee

Hospice and Palliative MedicineIncludes callContract

Compensation

Pay not disclosed

Listing transparency2 of 6 stated

Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting and weekend coverage.

Employment & setting
Contract
Call expectations
Includes call
Weekends
Not specified
Posted 2h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Overview

Expand Access. Build Partnerships. Transform Care as a Hospice Physician Designee.

We’re looking for a Hospice Physician Designee to join our compassionate care team. Reporting to the Medical Director, you will provide direction and oversight for patient care, ensuring that all plans of care are implemented and medically appropriate. This role is critical in guiding hospice care teams across multiple locations and maintaining the highest standards of clinical excellence.

**

This is a job notification only. The Hospice Physician Designee will not be employed by Gentiva. The Hospice Physician will invoice Gentiva for services rendered

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Essential Functions

  • Implement and oversee patient Plans of Care to meet medical needs
  • Assess and reevaluate patient medical needs regularly
  • Supervise and communicate with all hospice providers, including contracted and employed physicians
  • Assist in establishing and reviewing patient Plans of Care
  • Serve on the Interdisciplinary Group (IDG) and contribute to patient-focused care planning
  • Attend and conduct clinical training sessions
  • Assess patient hospice eligibility and complete terminal illness certifications/recertifications when needed
  • Act as a medical resource and liaison for the IDG, attending physicians, and community medical providers
  • Facilitate meetings with patients’ family members and provide guidance for quality care
  • Provide 24-hour on-call services to hospice clinicians
  • Review all patient medications for effectiveness, interactions, and relation to terminal condition
  • Perform supervisory duties in the absence of the Medical Director

About You

  • Specialized Knowledge/Skills:
  • Expertise in hospice and palliative care, focusing on symptom management for terminal illnesses
  • Strong understanding of hospice philosophy, principles of death and dying
  • Ability to collaborate with primary care physicians and interdisciplinary teams
  • Knowledge of the local medical community to enhance hospice visibility and reputation

Education/Experience

  • Doctorate degree in medicine (MD or DO) from an accredited medical school
  • Understanding of hospice philosophy and palliative care principles

License/Certification

  • Current state medical license
  • Current DEA#
  • Hospice and Palliative Care certification preferred

We Offer

  • Benefits for All Associates (Full-Time, Part-Time & Per Diem):
  • Competitive Pay
  • 401(k) with Company Match
  • Career Advancement Opportunities
  • National & Local Recognition Programs
  • Teammate Assistance Fund

Additional Full-Time Benefits

  • Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
  • Mileage Reimbursement or Fleet Vehicle Program
  • Generous Paid Time Off + 7 Paid Holidays
  • Wellness Programs (Telemedicine, Diabetes Management, Joint & Spine Concierge Care)
  • Education Support & Tuition Assistance (ASN to BSN, BSN to MSN)
  • Free Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
  • Company-paid Life & Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Voluntary Benefits (Pet, Critical Illness, Accident, LTC)
  • Apply today and make a meaningful impact in the lives of patients and families.
  • Legalese
  • This is a safety-sensitive position
  • Employee must meet minimum requirements to be eligible for benefits
  • Where applicable, employee must meet state specific requirements
  • We are proud to be an EEO employer
  • We maintain a drug-free workplace

Location

  • Gentiva
  • Our Company

At Gentiva, it is our privilege to offer compassionate care in the comfort of wherever our patients call home. We are a national leader in hospice care, palliative care, home health care, and advanced illness management, with nearly 600 locations and thousands of dedicated clinicians across 38 states.

Our place is by the side of those who need us – from helping people recover from illness, injury, or surgery in the comfort of their homes to guiding patients and their families through the physical, emotional, and spiritual effects of a serious illness or terminal diagnosis.

Our nationwide reach is powered by a family of trusted brands that include:

Hospice care: Gentiva Hospice, Emerald Coast Hospice Care, Heartland Hospice, Hospice Plus, New Century Hospice, Regency SouthernCare, SouthernCare Hospice Services, SouthernCare New Beacon

  • Palliative care: Empatia Palliative Care, Emerald Coast Palliative Care
  • Home health care: Heartland Home Health
  • Advanced illness management: Illumia Health

With corporate headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, and providers delivering care across the U. S., we are proud to offer rewarding careers in a collaborative environment where inspiring achievements are recognized – and kindness is celebrated.

Key Responsibilities

The Hospice Physician Designee provides clinical oversight and direction for patient care plans while serving as a key resource for the interdisciplinary group. This role involves assessing patient eligibility, conducting terminal illness certifications, and facilitating communication between medical providers and families.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Doctorate degree in medicine (MD or DO) and possess a current state medical license and DEA number. Expertise in hospice and palliative care principles is required, along with the ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
5+ years of experience

Certifications

DEA License

Key Skills

Patient care planningInterdisciplinary group collaborationTerminal illness certificationMedical resource liaisonMedication reviewQuality care guidanceMedical supervision

Hospice and Palliative Medicine — Physician Career Context

Physician pay on WeekdayDoc is up 9.1% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Pennsylvania is 97.6 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 61.7% of Pennsylvania clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Hospice and Palliative Medicine Jobs

5 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution5 jobs

3
<$415k
0
$415k-580k
0
$580k-745k
2
$900k

Annual compensation range

#1

Physician - Palliative Care

Med America · Fountain Valley, California

$275k-$900k
#2

Physician - Palliative Care - MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center

Vituity · Fountain Valley, California

$275k-$900k
#3

Palliative Care Physician - Gilbert, AZ

$300k-$400k
#4

Hospice Physician

$220k-$255k
+ 3 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

1.5/ 10
Listing-based score
  • Includes call

Living in Altoona

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$151k
Typical market rent
$1,090/mo
Residents’ average commute
18 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
89.5
State income tax
Up to 3.1%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Altoona, PA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

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About Gentiva

Hospitals and Health Care
Atlanta, GA
5,001-10,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Competitive Pay
401(k) with Company Match
Career Advancement Opportunities
National & Local Recognition Programs
Teammate Assistance Fund
Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance (Full-Time)
Mileage Reimbursement or Fleet Vehicle Program
Generous Paid Time Off + 7 Paid Holidays