The Hospice Care Team

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Attending Physician – The patient’s regular physician is a key member of the Hospice Team. The attending physician assumes responsibility for the medical management of the patient’s treatment throughout their involvement in the hospice program.

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Hospice Medical Director – Works with attending physicians and staff to provide the expertise of hospice care medical management.

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Care Manager  – The Care Manager is a registered nurse who is responsible for the management and coordinator of care for the patient and the team. He/she makes certain that the plan of care for each patient is unique, individualized, and interdisciplinary. He/she is often the most accessible by phone and coordinates the physician’s orders with the other team members who will carry them out.

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Nursing Staff – The hospice nurse visits the patient wherever they reside. The number of visits depends on the patient’s needs. The hospice nurse provides direct care to the patient and keeps the doctor informed and updated about the patient’s condition. The nurse also teaches the family and/or other caregivers how to care for the patient.

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Social Worker – The social worker provides direct support and counseling for the patient, family members, and caregivers. The Social Worker also serves as the primary contact to access community resources.

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Certified Home Health Aides– Home Health Aides are available to provide personal care, such as bathing and grooming as well as assistance with other activities of daily living.  The frequency of the visits is based on the needs of the patient and the caregiver.

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Hospice Chaplain – The Chaplain is available to help patients and families with spiritual and religious matters. He can also serve as a liaison to the family’s clergyman.

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Bereavement Coordinator – The Hospice Bereavement Coordinator works with the family and develops a plan to support and help them during their time of loss. The Bereavement Coordinator is a specialist who is aware of the difficulties and needs of a family as they go through this time of loss.

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Volunteer – Hospice volunteers provide emotional support and companionship to patients and their families. They can also provide respite for caregivers and family members involved in the patient’s care

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Physical, Occupational, Speech Therapies and Dietary Counseling: These services may be provided only as reasonable and necessary for symptom control or to enable the patient to maintain activities of daily living and basic functional skills in accordance with the hospice philosophy. 

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