Director of Patient Care Services, Hospice
Company: h/care
Location: Independence
Posted on: February 14, 2026
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Job Description:
Job Description Job Description h/care was born in 2018 with a
serendipitous meeting between two visionary healthcare
entrepreneurs as they waited for their elevator in Birmingham,
Alabama. United by a shared passion for transforming post-acute
care, they spent thousands of hours visiting agencies, listening to
caregivers, and gathering feedback from residents and their
families. This journey culminated in the founding of h/care in
2023—a company built on a foundation of high touch, high tech, and
unwavering trust, dedicated to delivering exceptional care and
experiences for both our internal and external customers. The
Community You Will Join At h/care, we are passionate about
transforming the way home-based healthcare is delivered. As part of
our Cleveland hospice agency, you will be joining a team that is
deeply rooted in the local community, committed to providing
exceptional care, and dedicated to building meaningful
relationships. Our local h/care team thrives on collaboration,
innovation, and compassion, ensuring every patient receives care
that is high-touch, high-tech, and built on trust. We foster a
welcoming and supportive environment where every team member’s
contribution is valued. You’ll be part of a mission-driven
organization that prioritizes both the success of our team and the
well-being of our patients, making a lasting impact in the lives of
those we serve. h/care’s Unique Approach to Care At h/care, we're
revolutionizing healthcare delivery for patients and families of
all ages. Frustrated with unpredictable and impersonal care
experiences? We've got the solution. Our team of healthcare experts
and entrepreneurial leaders has developed the PerfectVisit™ - a
standardized approach ensuring high-quality, consistent care every
time. By combining compassion with cutting-edge technology, we
deliver transformative home-based services, from health visits to
hospice care. We implement the Entrepreneurial Operating System
(“EOS”) to streamline decision-making, cutting through bureaucracy
and eliminating unnecessary red tape. With h/care, you're not just
receiving a service; you're experiencing care built on community,
dignity, and trust. Available 24/7, we ensure you're never alone in
your healthcare journey. The Impact You Will Have As the Director
of Patient Care Services, you are fully accountable for the success
of the Hospice Department. This includes responsibility for patient
outcomes, team performance, financial results, growth, compliance,
and day-to-day operations. You will function as the senior leader
and decision-maker for your department , setting direction,
managing resources, developing talent, and ensuring the department
operates efficiently, ethically, and profitably—while delivering
compassionate, high-quality hospice care. This role requires
balancing clinical leadership with operational discipline,
financial stewardship, and people management. You are expected to
proactively identify problems, implement solutions, and drive
continuous improvement across every aspect of the department. This
role is not intended to function as a primary bedside clinician; it
is a leadership, management, and accountability role responsible
for building and sustaining a high-performing hospice department.
Key Responsibilities Visionary Leadership & Strategic Direction
Hospice Market Growth: Develop and execute strategies to expand
h/care's hospice services, focusing on identifying referral sources
like palliative care providers, long-term care facilities, and
oncologists. Build partnerships with hospitals, physicians, and
community organizations to increase patient admissions and enhance
awareness of hospice benefits. Referral-Driven Sales Strategy:
Design and implement initiatives tailored to hospice care, setting
and achieving goals for patient census growth. Leverage
relationships with referral partners to provide compassionate,
seamless transitions to hospice care. Hospice-Centric Marketing:
Lead the development of marketing initiatives emphasizing the
emotional and supportive aspects of hospice services. Collaborate
with marketing teams to create materials that educate families and
patients on the benefits of hospice care. Clinical Leadership &
Oversight Patient Care Excellence: Ensure the delivery of
compassionate, high-quality hospice services with care plans
focused on symptom management, pain relief, and emotional support
for patients and families. Interdisciplinary Team Leadership:
Support and oversee clinical staff, including nurses, social
workers, chaplains, and volunteers, fostering a collaborative
environment that aligns with the hospice philosophy of care.
Hospice-Specific Policy Development: Create and enforce policies
that address regulatory and clinical needs unique to hospice care,
ensuring compliance with Medicare Conditions of Participation and
other relevant standards. Operational Excellence Quality
Improvement in Hospice: Monitor patient and family satisfaction,
implementing initiatives to ensure continuous improvement in
symptom control, emotional support, and family engagement. Resource
Allocation for Hospice Teams: Manage staffing schedules and
resources to support efficient delivery of hospice services,
prioritizing availability for urgent patient needs. Regulatory
Excellence: Ensure compliance with all hospice-specific
regulations, including preparation for CMS and state audits and
ongoing quality assurance measures. Strategic Planning &
Development Hospice Program Innovation: Develop and expand hospice
programs to address gaps in care, such as specialized services for
underserved populations or advanced symptom management initiatives.
Outcome-Oriented Metrics: Monitor hospice performance indicators
such as timely admissions, symptom management effectiveness, and
family satisfaction to guide improvements. Financial & Operational
Ownership Own and manage the Hospice Department budget, with
accountability for achieving revenue, margin, and cost targets
Analyze financial and operational data to identify trends, risks,
and opportunities Make staffing, scheduling, and resource decisions
aligned with financial performance goals Partner with executive
leadership, but retain primary ownership of departmental results
Patient & Family Advocacy Clear Communication: Serve as the primary
liaison between patients, families, and the healthcare team,
ensuring understanding of hospice care plans and addressing
concerns with empathy. Education on Hospice Services: Provide
patients and families with resources and education about the
hospice philosophy, available services, and care plan development.
Culturally Competent Care: Adapt services to respect the cultural,
spiritual, and linguistic needs of diverse patients and their
families. Professional Development & Training Hospice Training
Programs: Design and implement ongoing training to enhance staff
knowledge in areas like pain management, end-of-life care, and
family counseling. Mentorship in Hospice Leadership: Support
emerging leaders within the interdisciplinary team, fostering a
culture of learning and professional growth in hospice care.
Performance Monitoring: Conduct regular evaluations of clinical
staff, providing constructive feedback and development plans
tailored to the hospice environment. Department Ownership &
Accountability Full ownership of the Hospice Department’s P&L,
including revenue performance, labor management, expense control,
and margin targets Accountability for staffing strategy, retention,
productivity, performance management, and succession planning
Responsibility for census growth, referral development, and
operational scalability Ownership of departmental KPIs, dashboards,
and performance reporting Authority and expectation to make
decisions that drive sustainable departmental success A Typical Day
Clinical Oversight: Review patient care plans, staff schedules, and
updates to address priorities. Focus on ensuring symptom
management, pain control, and emotional support while maintaining
100% compliance with hospice care protocols. Address escalated
patient or family concerns promptly. Interdisciplinary Team
Coordination: Facilitate regular meetings with the hospice team,
including nurses, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers, to
align on goals, share updates, and discuss patient needs
holistically. Provide guidance and resources to support effective
and compassionate care. Patient and Family Support: Oversee the
implementation of individualized care plans that prioritize patient
comfort and dignity. Ensure families are educated, supported, and
kept informed, aiming for satisfaction scores above 95%. Regulatory
and Compliance Management: Monitor clinical documentation and care
delivery to ensure compliance with CMS hospice regulations, state
requirements, and agency policies. Address any gaps proactively and
prepare for audits. Staff Development and Support: Mentor and
support hospice staff by providing constructive feedback and
fostering a culture of professional growth. Address the emotional
demands of hospice care by promoting resources and practices that
sustain staff resilience and morale. Operational Excellence:
Collaborate with intake and scheduling teams to ensure the
efficient admission of new patients and optimized schedules.
Maintain a visit completion rate of 95% or higher while addressing
urgent needs effectively. Quality Improvement Initiatives: Analyze
hospice-specific performance metrics, including symptom control
success rates and family feedback, to identify areas for
improvement. Develop and implement actionable plans to enhance care
delivery and patient outcomes. Community and Referral Engagement:
Build and maintain relationships with physicians, hospitals, and
referral sources. Provide updates on patient progress and address
concerns to strengthen partnerships and increase referrals.
Represent h/care at community events to expand awareness of hospice
services. Documentation and Review: Ensure that all patient records
and team communications are thorough, accurate, and up to date.
Maintain a continuous focus on improving processes and outcomes in
hospice care. Your Expertise Education: Bachelor’s degree in
Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or a related field is required;
a Master’s degree is preferred. Experience: At least 5 years of
clinical nursing experience, with 2 years in a leadership role
within hospice care, preferable. Clinical Leadership: Proven
ability to oversee clinical operations, ensuring the delivery of
high-quality patient care while maintaining compliance with
healthcare regulations. Hospice Knowledge: Deep understanding of
hospice industry standards, patient needs, and regulatory
requirements, including Medicare and Medicaid guidelines.
Communication Skills: Exceptional ability to collaborate with
staff, patients, families, and referral sources, fostering positive
relationships and clear communication. Strategic Thinking:
Expertise in improving clinical workflows, optimizing staff
schedules, and implementing strategies that enhance patient
outcomes and team efficiency. Team Development: Skilled in
mentoring, training, and retaining clinical staff, creating a
collaborative and supportive work environment. Tech-Savvy:
Proficient in using electronic health records (EHR) systems, such
as WellSky, and other technology platforms to track performance and
streamline care delivery. Compliance and Quality: Strong knowledge
of state and federal compliance standards, with a track record of
successful audits and quality improvement initiatives. Data-Driven
Decision-Making: Experienced in analyzing clinical data and
performance metrics to make informed decisions and improve care
delivery. Your Work Environment Location: Based at our Cleveland
office, collaborating with the interdisciplinary hospice team and
supporting the delivery of high-quality patient care services.
Pace: A dynamic, patient-centered environment that requires strong
organizational skills, clinical expertise, and the ability to
manage multiple priorities while ensuring compliance with hospice
regulations and standards. Challenges: Balancing administrative
responsibilities with clinical oversight, addressing patient care
needs promptly, and maintaining staff engagement and alignment with
the organization's mission and goals. How Success Will Be Measured
Clinical Excellence: Achieve a 95% or higher compliance rate with
care plans, improve patient outcomes, and ensure adherence to all
regulatory standards. Operational Efficiency: Streamline processes
to optimize care delivery, achieve a visit completion rate above
90%, and reduce scheduling conflicts. Patient and Family
Satisfaction: Maintain patient satisfaction scores above 90% by
ensuring timely communication, compassionate care, and proactive
support. Team Leadership: Retain 90% of clinical staff annually
through strong leadership, professional development opportunities,
and a supportive work culture. Collaboration and Care Coordination:
Ensure 100% of patient referrals are processed within 24 hours,
fostering seamless transitions and effective communication between
departments. Community Trust and Engagement: Strengthen referral
relationships to increase patient admissions by 15% annually while
enhancing h/care’s reputation as a trusted community provider.
Data-Driven Improvement: Use analytics to track performance,
identify areas for growth, and implement action plans that lead to
measurable improvements in operations and patient care.
Keywords: h/care, Taylor , Director of Patient Care Services, Hospice, Healthcare , Independence, Michigan
