Description:
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW & HISTORY
LIFE Pittsburgh, a growing, independent, 501(c) nonprofit organization with approximately 350 employees, is a community based alternative to nursing home care and assisted living following the national Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) model. Through the LIFE Pittsburgh program, frail older adults can remain in their own home and receive a coordinated plan of care that enables them to maintain their independence and enjoy a safe and active life in the community. Our health teams of geriatric doctors, nurses, social workers, rehabilitation specialists and other health care professionals assess our Participants' needs and desires, plan and approve services with them and their family or caregiver, monitor for changes and provide timely interventions. Primary care and community services are provided through our Day Health Centers and through our in home program according to an individual Participant's needs. To learn more, visit www.lifepittsburgh.org
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Primary Care Provider is a key member of the IDT team working closely with, and through others by building and maintaining strong relationships with team members, Participants, and family members. Primary responsibility for pre-enrollment, quarterly and annual assessments, evaluation of treatments, educating and supporting Participants and families with treatment options and care wishes in accordance with the PACE model and philosophy. The emphasis is on limiting the reliance upon complex institutional and specialty resources, emergency room visits and unnecessary testing and diagnostics with the ultimate goal of reducing preventable hospitalizations and delaying or averting nursing home placements.
The typical Participant to provider can be up to 130:1, where Participants are seen in the Adult Day Health Centers through the week, but are sometimes seen in their homes depending on the circumstances The Provider will be responsible for visiting Participants in sub-acute or long-term settings on a regular basis. In addition to assessments and visits, the physician may see 5-7 Participants per day for episodic events.
The average length of time for Participants is 2-3 years and a high percentage live alone or in a community high-rise building with limited family support. Compared to other care systems, LIFE Pittsburgh is very successful at anticipating and managing end of life care and more importantly, meeting and supporting Participants and their family wishes.
The provider will primarily work in one Adult Day Center, M-F 8am-5p, with some flexibility needed based on the needs of the Participants and families. Call will typically be 1:6 weekdays (Monday-Thursday) and starts at 4:30pm. Weekend call is also 1:6. Call is primarily via the phone with community support but may be expected to visit actively ill Participants or perform end of life visits.
The Candidate:
The focus of this position is working with and through others, building and maintaining relationships, and working closely and actively with established guidelines. There is a strong need for an effective communicator, someone who is able to stimulate and motivate others while being aware of and responsive to their needs and concerns. There will be many different people to meet and work with and the Physician in this position must be friendly and genuinely interested in the PACE model, needs of our Participants and family members, IDT members and LIFE Pittsburgh’s management team.
Requirements:
Board Certified and recently trained Board Eligible Internist, Internal Medicine or Family Practitioner with a background in Geriatrics will be considered for the position.
