Heart Failure Cardiologist

PRIMARY PURPOSE

To provide high quality, efficient, cost-effective, and state of the art tertiary cardiology medical services for the New England Heart & Vascular Institute located at the Catholic Medical Center and other affiliate sites located in the State of New Hampshire. Evaluates each patient's needs who are pediatric, adolescent, adult, and older adult age population and delegates the management of all aspects of patient care to the appropriate care provider to attain the delivery of efficient, cost - effective, quality care. Fosters a work environment for staff conducive to professional growth, accountability and autonomy. Creates and maintains a warm and friendly atmosphere for patients, Catholic Medical Center Health staff, referring and staff physicians, and visitors.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the general direction of the Chief Executive Officer and under the direct supervision of the Cardiology Medical Director within established Catholic Medical Center and departmental policies and procedures and all applicable laws, through own actions or by delegating to appropriate co-workers, the Staff Cardiologist performs the following functions. Not with standing anything contained in this job description, a Staff Cardiologist shall not be required to be licensed in any state other that the State of New Hampshire.

Primary Functions

1. Uses independent judgment in the practice of medicine to evaluate each patient's medical status and directs the professional care decisions which are cost-effective, quality care.

1. Diagnoses and treats patients consistent with applicable medical standards and any rules and regulations and policies promulgated by Catholic Medical Center, and other regional affiliated hospitals within the State of New Hampshire.

1. Acts as an informational Cardiology resource to other health care disciplines, academic institutions, and Catholic Medical Center companies and regional affiliates.

1. Communicates regularly and works collaboratively with the Medical Directors for the various cardiology services in each hospital by providing feedback regarding the quality of care, specific unresolved patient related issues, appropriate bed utilization ,administrative policies, strategic plans and program status.

1. In conjunction with the Cardiology Medical Director and the Senior Vice President of Physician Network Operations and Integration establishes productivity goals and processes for attainment of these goals.

1. Collaborates in the direction, development and implementation of the medical

cardiology Quality Management and Risk Management plans. Identifies opportunities for improvement in the care of the Cardiology patient through the analysis of trends and patterns of ongoing quality assessment activities being performed in each cardiology service department and communicates findings to his/her peers, Cardiology Medical Director, Chief Medical Officer, Senior Vice President of Physician Network Operations and Integration, Administrative Director for Nursing, Department Directors, Clinic Managers, Clinical Leaders, Senior Technicians and others as appropriate.

1. Assesses the clinical competency and performance of all staff members on an ongoing basis. Monitors patient acuity and complexity as it relates to staff skill and knowledge. Collaborates with the Medical Director and Administrative Directors as
2. appropriate to plan and implement staff education consistent with policies and procedures within Catholic Medical Center and satellite offices of the New England Heart & Vascular Institute.

1. Complies with Joint Commission, state, federal and other applicable regulations through the continuous monitoring of each cardiology department's adherence to policies and procedures.

1. Monitors each cardiology department's compliance with Catholic Medical Center Infection Control standards, procedures and policies. Regularly reviews infection control outcomes and issues at the appropriate committee.

1. Ensures confidentiality of patients, employees, legal budget, and Catholic Medical Center matters.

1. Maintains excellent communication; maintains positive working relationships with employees, other departments, regulatory agencies, vendors and the public. Cultivates an attitude of respect, confidence and pride in Cardiology Services of the New England Heart & Vascular Institute.

1. Researches new developments in Cardiology Services including, medical, nutritional pharmaceutical health and physical fitness interventions, changes in standards of care and practice, physical facilities, equipment, and supplies so that the achievement of optimum patient care and wellness is possible.

1. Participates in ongoing medical research activities approved by the Institutional Review Board being conducted Catholic Medical Center and other affiliate sites located in the State of New Hampshire.

1. Participates in the selection process of management candidates for employment in Cardiology Services. Assist the Medical Director and Senior Vice President of Physician Network Operations and Integration as appropriate in outlining the scope of authority as well as job responsibilities of employees under their direction.

1. Assumes clinical medical directorship as appointed by the Cardiology Medical Director. Collaborates with designated medical directors for cardiology services, the Senior Vice President of Physician Network Operations and Integration, and Data Management Services to optimize patient care.

1. Assesses the patient care provided in each Cardiology Department and provides recommendations for resources for establishing and re-fining unit/practice specific standards of care which will assist in the achievement of the delivery of efficient, cost effective, quality care.

1. Participates in the annual strategic planning for the New England Heart & Vascular Institute with the Senior Vice President of Physician Network Operations and Integration.

1. Works with the Cardiology Medical Director and the Senior Vice President of Physician Network Operations and Integration to develop a regional cardiology network with regional cardiologists and hospital affiliates. Works toward developing a regional standard of care for cardiology, evaluation of tertiary cardiac care access, clinical outcomes and resource utilization. Develops and maintains excellent regional and local physician relationships by initiating opportunities for seeking their feedback about their satisfaction with cardiology care.

1. Assists in the development of a comprehensive data base for tracking cardiology and cardiac surgery procedural patient outcomes and resource utilization.

1. Works closely with the Cardiology Medical Director to determine the future needs of the New England Heart & Vascular Institute to accommodate the growth of the new programs and new services. Ensures that there is appropriate cardiologists staffing to meet the needs of the patients twenty four hours per day, seven days per week, and to adhere to the terms of affiliate contracts.

1. Works consistently to exceed productivity level on date of hire.

1. Conducts himself personally in a professional manner. In specific he/she is courteous, pleasant, speaks to other physicians, staff and patients in a appropriate, non-abrasive, and non-aggressive manner. Rude and arrogant behavior or speech will not be tolerated.

1. Accepts and fulfills responsibilities assigned in a timely and productive manner and implements policies, directive, principles, and organizational values of the New England Heart & Vascular Institute and Catholic Medical Center in a conscientious, timely and productive manner.
2. Complies with programs and directives of the New England Heart & Vascular Institute pertaining to fraud and abuse compliance, including but not limited to billing, referral relationships, and relationships with outside vendors; supported by complete, and clinically accurate documentation of services rendered including procedural and diagnostic coding.

Secondary Functions

1. Monitors the appropriate utilization of support services and the effective use of supplies and equipment in the cardiac clinics, labs and specialty patient care units.

1. Serves on New England Heart & Vascular Institute, Catholic Medical Center and other committees, as delegated by the Cardiology Medical Director and the medical staff bylaws.

1. Participates in appropriate role as directed in Catholic Medical Center disaster drills, fire drills, fires and other emergency situations.

1. Uses care in the operation and use of Catholic Medical Center's equipment and reference materials Monitors the routine cleaning and preventative maintenance of equipment to maintain the safe function of equipment. Reports all repair and maintenance needs so that prompt attention is given to them.

1. Assists in the timely and accurate recording of patient information for each Cardiology Department's statistical log.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Individual must possess the knowledge, skills and abilities to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the primary functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, using some other combination of skills and abilities and to possess the necessary physical requirements with or without the aid of mechanical devices to safely perform the primary functions of the job.

1. Physical requirements include ability to bend body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist; bending the legs at knee to come to rest on knee or knees; bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine; extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction; standing for sustained periods of time; moving about on foot to accomplish tasks; using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward; downward, or outward; using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion; raising object from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to position; picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working with fingers rather than the whole hand or arm, applying pressure to and object with fingers and palm; perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.

1. Ability to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word. Primary functions include activities in which incumbent must convey detailed or important spoken instruction to patients, families, physicians, staff and other employees.

1. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication.

1. Ability to work in surroundings which may subject incumbent to inside environmental conditions without protection from temperature changes; hazards including proximity to moving mechanical parts; electrical current, exposure to high heat and exposure to drugs, chemicals; atmospheric conditions with one or more conditions that affect the respiratory system or the skin (i. e., fumes, odors, dust, mists, gases).

1. Ability to wear protective clothing such as gown, mask, glove, head cover, lead apron, safety glasses, and /or safety shoes.

1. Visual acuity sufficient for work which deals largely with visual inspection involving small anatomic or physiologic details, as well as the whole patient, and sufficient for preparing and analyzing data and figures, accounting, transcription, computer terminal operation, extensive reading and visual inspection involving small part/defects.

1. Ability to endure periods of heavy workload or excessive stress.

1. Ability to work with frequent interruptions and respond appropriately to unexpected situations.

1. Familiarity with continuous quality improvement strategies.

1. Ability to travel to meetings and conferences which are held off site.

1. Ability to plan and perform a wide variety of duties requiring knowledge of policies and procedures. Involves the exercise of judgment to work independently toward specific results, devising methods, modifying or adapting standard procedures to meet different conditions, making decisions for which there is little precedent.

1. Receives direction and guidelines from the Cardiology Medical Director before assuming overall program responsibility and then functions independently.

1. Ability to exert up to 100 pounds of force of body weight occasionally and /or up to 50 pounds of force frequently and /or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Ability to demonstrate courtesy, compassion and respect in relating to patients, families, visitors, physicians, and coworkers.

1. Ability to communicate effectively and establish a cooperative, collaborative working environment. Ability to facilitate communication between and among others.

1. Ability to accept constructive feedback and initiate appropriate actions to correct situations.

1. Ability to obtain BCLS qualification during Orientation Period and obtain ACLS certification within six months of employment and maintain during employment.

1. Willingness to identify and take action toward meeting own learning needs.

1. PRIMARY PURPOSE
   
   To provide high quality, efficient, cost-effective, and state of the art tertiary cardiology medical services for the New England Heart & Vascular Institute located at the Catholic Medical Center and other affiliate sites located in the State of New Hampshire. Evaluates each patient's needs who are pediatric, adolescent, adult, and older adult age population and delegates the management of all aspects of patient care to the appropriate care provider to attain the delivery of efficient, cost - effective, quality care. Fosters a work environment for staff conducive to professional growth, accountability and autonomy. Creates and maintains a warm and friendly atmosphere for patients, Catholic Medical Center Health staff, referring and staff physicians, and visitors.
   
   DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
   
   Under the general direction of the Chief Executive Officer and under the direct supervision of the Cardiology Medical Director within established Catholic Medical Center and departmental policies and procedures and all applicable laws, through own actions or by delegating to appropriate co-workers, the Staff Cardiologist performs the following functions. Not with standing anything contained in this job description, a Staff Cardiologist shall not be required to be licensed in any state other that the State of New Hampshire.

• Education/Experience:
  
  Graduate of an accredited school of medicine. Doctor of Medicine required. Board Certified in Internal Medicine or cardiology. Successful completion of Cardiology Boards within two years.