Hospice Directors/Administrators please answer

lkisby · Apr 4, 2010

I have been a Clinical Director of a hospice for 11 years now. My position requires me to be available 24/7 for my on call staff and field staff. Since most everything is clinical most everything goes through me. I have 3 on call nurses who mostly cover for each other, they are great. If I can't find a replacement, it's mine to cover. If there's a day shift nurse out and my one per diem nurse is unavailable I may need to go out to see a patient.

Does the job require experience? Hospice is very different from home care on so many levels.

I hope this helps.

ljk

Marshall1 · Apr 4, 2010

I have no hospice experience, no director experience and was offered the job. I worked home health in the mid-1990's- nothing recent. I realize this is a great opportunity but I really don't want to "live" a job and am woefully under qualified for this I think....

lkisby · Apr 4, 2010

I don't want to lead you in the wrong direction, this decision is certainly yours to make. What state are you in? The time will be an investment initially. If you get things quick it might just work for you.

I would be nervous to take such a position, especially with no experience. Hospice is a challenging field, there would be a lot of catch up you would need to do to learn the regs put out by CMS (Medicare/Medicaid) the CoPs (Conditions of Participation) the regs in your particular state and either Joint Commission or CHAPS depending on the agency.

You may be a quick study and have the personality to take it on, and if so good for you.

I know there are staff who might find it hard to work for someone who knows less than them. I hate to say it, but it's a reality.

I wish you the best.

Marshall1 · Apr 4, 2010

I think just like you are saying..how can I lead when I have no idea? I have no idea bout regs, budgets,etc. I realize there will be orientation, etc. but the nuances of this flavor of nursing I don't know - the money would mean a lot to me but knowing I most likely can't cut it..nor do I want to live the job..not at this point as I have other responsibilities I have to balance..the strange thing is the position wasn't offered or told to anyone who works in the local office - which I thought was strange since it would seem there may be someone interested in moving up - nor did I apply for it..am south of Atlanta. I don't know whether to just be honet and tell them I've made a mistake or give it a shot and see what happens...

lkisby · Apr 5, 2010

It seems you might want to ask a few questions:

Was the job posted and are there any staff currently who might be interested in the position.

Are they licensed and accredited and certified?

Are they members of the state hospice organization and the national one?

Ask if you can see a copy of the job description and who you would report to.

Ask about staff turnover rates. That can be telling.

Who will orient you if the director is leaving?

That's a start. I hope this helps.

Linda

Marshall1 · Apr 5, 2010

The job was not posted nor was the staff notified until recently this CD was leaving - she is actually going elsewhere in the company. I've thought a lot about it and as much as the money would mean to me its just not the time for me to take on this type of responsibility. There are a few things that made me wonder why they would offer to someone not from within and/or w/o one day of experience. I think some of that may be the aggressivness of the upper management and no one wanting to work w/them..I know they are going to be upset but I would be of no use to them or the patients they serve. My only regret is the money..it was a lot but I am going to look for work elsewhere and pray something comes through soon. THANK YOU for responding - it really helped.:)

AtlantaRN, RN · Apr 12, 2010

I think just like you are saying..how can I lead when I have no idea? I have no idea bout regs, budgets,etc. I realize there will be orientation, etc. but the nuances of this flavor of nursing I don't know - the money would mean a lot to me but knowing I most likely can't cut it..nor do I want to live the job..not at this point as I have other responsibilities I have to balance..the strange thing is the position wasn't offered or told to anyone who works in the local office - which I thought was strange since it would seem there may be someone interested in moving up - nor did I apply for it..am south of Atlanta. I don't know whether to just be honet and tell them I've made a mistake or give it a shot and see what happens...

I would be extremely cautious...........I am south of atlanta and recently they walked 2 administrators out in the last year, fired for not meeting corporate expectations.

Marshall1 · Apr 12, 2010

Thank you for the reply. I turned the job down. I wasn't qualified and just from the stand point of dealing with hospice patients I did not want to run the risk of not making good decisions. I think if I were able to start out as a case manager or assistant director - but the director itself? I just wasn't ready.

AtlantaRN, RN · Apr 21, 2010

smart move. One big cue would be why it wasn't offered to persons already working within the company. It would be prudent to move a manager of clinical practice to such a position, or someone with 5+ years of proven management experience..........

You are wise to begin as a case manager, especially in a re-entry situation......learn the job and move up as you feel you are qualified. I would rather be overqualified as a field/weekend on call nurse than woefully underqualified as a manager of clinical practice (the nurse that does the mcp position is excellent, she finds things missing from documentation frequently....where auditing charts is just plain boring to me). I prefer to operate in what I consider my strength zone... I am comfortable there.