Palliative Care Physician – Build & Lead a New Program - Washington Missouri

Find your calling at Mercy! Mercy Hospital Washington is seeking a Board Certified or Board Eligible Palliative Care Physician to lead the palliative care program at our hospital in Washington, Missouri. This is a rare opportunity for a physician to step into a foundational role with the freedom to shape a program according to your clinical interests, vision, and best practices. If you’re and looking for autonomy, meaningful impact, and leadership experience without sacrificing work‑life balance, this role offers an exceptional platform to grow.

About the Role

This position offers a predominantly outpatient practice (approximately 80%), allowing you to develop deep, longitudinal relationships with patients and families navigating serious illness. Inpatient responsibilities are limited and manageable. You will be the sole palliative care physician, supported by a highly experienced, on‑site palliative care RN who assists with consults, coordination, and continuity of care. With strong hospital leadership support, you will have the opportunity to: Design clinical workflows and care models Shape the balance of inpatient vs. outpatient care Develop referral relationships across service lines Grow the program at a pace that aligns with your goals.

Living in Washington, Missouri

Washington, MO blends small‑town charm with convenient access to major metro amenities: Located just 45 minutes west of St. Louis Set along the Missouri River, featuring a historic downtown, riverfront trails, and community events Part of Missouri’s wine and agritourism region, with dozens of wineries nearby Weekly Washington Farmers’ Market and frequent local festivals More than 40 dining options—from locally owned favorites to national restaurants Access to highly regarded public schools, as well as private and Montessori education Opportunities for acreage living or hobby farming while remaining close to town.

Your life is our life’s work

At Mercy, you can lead the way. Join a team where your passion for patient care meets cutting‑edge innovation. As part of an organization rooted in nearly 200 years of compassionate service, you’ll help deliver transformative health care experiences while exploring new technologies and shaping the future of medicine. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to physician leadership—from the highest levels of our organization to the front lines of care—where physicians and caregivers collaborate, embrace fresh thinking, and drive clinical and operational excellence. If making a difference in your community is why you chose health care, Mercy is where your purpose meets possibility.

Transforming the Health of Our Communities

Our Mercy health system was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1986. But our heritage goes back more than 195 years. It began with an Irish woman named Catherine McAuley, who was determined to help women and children in Dublin experiencing poverty. Though Catherine had a modest upbringing, she received an unexpected inheritance that allowed her to fulfill that dream. In 1827, she opened the first House of Mercy in Dublin, intending to teach skills to women and educate children. Many volunteers came to help. A few years later, Catherine founded the Sisters of Mercy, one of the first religious orders whose Sisters were free to walk among the poor and visit them in their homes. In 1843, the Sisters of Mercy came to the United States. In 1856, they traveled to St. Louis. In the years to come, they would establish hospitals throughout the Midwest. Many of these would join together in 1986 as Mercy.