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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Geriatric Consultant

💰 $150,000 - $250,000+

HealthcareMedical ConsultingGeriatricsPatient CarePhysician

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a compassionate and highly skilled Geriatric Consultant to join our dedicated healthcare team. In this pivotal role, you will act as an expert clinical resource, providing comprehensive consultations for the complex medical, functional, and psychosocial needs of older adults. You will be responsible for conducting in-depth geriatric assessments, developing patient-centered care plans, and collaborating with an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, therapists, and social workers. The ideal candidate is a leader in geriatric medicine, passionate about improving the quality of care for the elderly and adept at navigating the intricacies of the healthcare system to advocate for their patients.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Internal Medicine or Family Medicine Physician (with a strong interest in geriatrics)
  • Geriatric Medicine Fellow
  • Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) or Physician Assistant (PA) with specialized geriatric experience

Advancement To:

  • Director of Geriatric Services or Geriatric Program
  • Chief of Geriatrics
  • Medical Director for a long-term care facility, PACE program, or home health agency

Lateral Moves:

  • Palliative Care or Hospice Physician
  • Healthcare Administrator or Executive
  • Clinical Researcher in Gerontology

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct comprehensive, multidisciplinary geriatric assessments (CGAs) to evaluate patients' cognitive, functional, medical, and psychosocial status.

  • Develop, implement, and meticulously monitor individualized, evidence-based care plans for older adults with multiple chronic conditions and complex needs.

  • Provide expert consultation to primary care physicians, hospitalists, surgeons, and other specialists on the management of geriatric syndromes.

  • Expertly manage polypharmacy by performing detailed medication reviews, identifying high-risk medications, and implementing deprescribing strategies to reduce adverse drug events.

  • Diagnose, treat, and manage common geriatric syndromes, including dementia, delirium, falls, frailty, incontinence, and pressure ulcers.

  • Lead and facilitate family meetings to discuss complex medical conditions, establish realistic goals of care, and guide discussions on advance care planning and end-of-life preferences.

  • Collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary team members, including nursing, social work, pharmacy, and physical, occupational, and speech therapies to ensure coordinated and holistic patient care.

  • Provide direct clinical care for a panel of complex geriatric patients in various settings, such as outpatient clinics, inpatient wards, or long-term care facilities.

  • Serve as a passionate advocate for patients and their families, helping them navigate the healthcare system and connect with essential community resources and support services.

  • Evaluate cognitive function and mood disorders in the elderly, differentiating between dementia, delirium, and depression, and recommending appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.

  • Perform functional and mobility assessments to identify fall risks and develop comprehensive fall prevention strategies.

  • Offer expert guidance on ethical and legal issues pertinent to the geriatric population, including decision-making capacity assessments and matters of guardianship.

  • Facilitate smooth and safe transitions of care for elderly patients moving between different levels of care, such as from hospital to skilled nursing facility or home.

  • Provide consultation on palliative care principles, focusing on symptom management and improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses.

-g Educate patients, families, and caregivers on chronic disease self-management, healthy aging, and strategies for maintaining independence.

  • Maintain accurate, complete, and timely medical documentation in the electronic medical record (EMR) system for all patient encounters and consultations.

Secondary Functions

  • Participate in and lead quality improvement projects and clinical initiatives aimed at enhancing the safety and quality of care for hospitalized older adults.
  • Serve as a clinical preceptor and mentor for medical students, residents, and fellows, fostering the next generation of geriatric healthcare professionals.
  • Develop and deliver educational presentations and training programs on geriatric topics for hospital staff, fellow providers, and the wider community.
  • Contribute to the development of clinical protocols, policies, and best-practice guidelines related to geriatric care within the organization.
  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis related to geriatric patient outcomes.
  • Stay current with the latest research, clinical trials, and advancements in geriatric medicine and integrate findings into clinical practice.
  • Participate in peer review, utilization management, and hospital committee meetings as a subject matter expert on geriatrics.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA): Mastery of assessment tools for cognition (e.g., MoCA, MMSE), function (e.g., ADLs, IADLs), mood (e.g., GDS), and mobility (e.g., Timed Up and Go).
  • Polypharmacy Management: Expertise in applying Beers Criteria, STOPP/START criteria, and deprescribing principles.
  • Geriatric Syndromes Expertise: Deep clinical knowledge in the diagnosis and management of dementia, delirium, falls, and frailty.
  • Care Plan Development: Ability to synthesize complex information into actionable, patient-centered care plans.
  • Palliative Care Integration: Skilled in pain and symptom management, and facilitating goals of care conversations.
  • Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Proficiency: Competent in using EMR systems (e.g., Epic, Cerner) for documentation, ordering, and communication.
  • Knowledge of Regulatory Environments: Familiarity with regulations and requirements of Medicare, Medicaid, and long-term care.

Soft Skills

  • Empathy and Compassion: Genuine ability to connect with older adults and their families, demonstrating patience and understanding.
  • Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Proven track record of working effectively and respectfully within a multidisciplinary team.
  • Advanced Communication: Exceptional ability to explain complex medical information clearly to patients, families, and other healthcare professionals.
  • Complex Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills to address multifaceted clinical challenges.
  • Leadership and Mentorship: Ability to guide teams, influence practice, and educate junior colleagues.
  • Resilience and Adaptability: Thrives in a dynamic and often challenging clinical environment.
  • Patient Advocacy: A strong commitment to championing the needs and rights of elderly patients.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from an accredited institution.
  • OR Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) as an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner.

Preferred Education:

  • Completion of a fellowship in Geriatric Medicine.
  • Board Certification in Geriatric Medicine (for physicians) or Gerontology (for APRNs).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Internal Medicine
  • Family Medicine
  • Palliative Care
  • Nursing

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-5+ years of post-residency/post-graduate clinical experience.

Preferred:

  • Demonstrated experience in a consultative geriatric role within an inpatient or outpatient setting.
  • Experience working in diverse care environments, including academic medical centers, community hospitals, and/or long-term care.
  • A track record of participation in scholarly activity, such as research, publications, or quality improvement initiatives in geriatrics.
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