Speciality and Specialist Doctor in Palliative Care

Job responsibilities

CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. In conjunction with the Medical Director, to ensure and maintain high standards of patient care and to implement medical policy as described by the hospice policies.

2. To be part of the multi-disciplinary team and to maintain efficient channels of communication with other members of the team.

3. To share with other members of the team the emotional, social, and spiritual care of patients and their carers.

4. To be responsible for admissions of patients to the Inpatient Units.

5. To be responsible for the medical care, under consultant supervision, of patients on the Inpatient Units.

6. To liaise with GPs, hospital consultants, Community Services team and other agencies involved in patients care.

7. To conduct Clinical Audit/Quality Improvement Projects.

8. To take part in providing cover for the Inpatient Units as part of the first on call rota.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To be responsible for accurate and comprehensive clinical and drug records.

2. To complete the requisitions for pharmaceutical and other supplies when necessary.

3. To complete patient discharge summaries and, in the case of patients who have died, the relevant medico-legal documentation.

4. To be conversant in the use of electronic communication systems, personal computer systems, normal office equipment and SystmOne.

5. Maintain and update SystmOne to support patient care.

6. To contribute to good Clinical Governance, to attend the clinical governance meetings and demonstrate their own involvement in this.

TEACHING

When required, to participate in the educational programmes for nurses, doctors and AHPs within and outside the Hospice.

RESEARCH

The Speciality and Specialist Doctor will be encouraged to develop their own project and interests within the broad spectrum of palliative care.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

In accordance with the Hospices Health & Safety Policy all employed persons while at work are required by Section 7 of the Health & Safety at Work Act to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

1. Be aware of and follow policies and procedures around incident reporting and the identification of risks.

2. To contribute to the departments implementation of a Health and Safety management monitoring structure and as far as is reasonably practical within the designated area of responsibility maintain a safe environment for patients, staff and relatives.

3. Although the Hospice has a Zero Tolerance position in relation to violence and aggression, the post holder may on occasions be exposed to verbal / physical abuse and should be fully conversant with the Hospice Policy for dealing with these situations.

DECISIONS, JUDGEMENT AND FREEDOM OF ACT

1. To work to ensure high standard of services are delivered.

2. To work independently to ensure delivery of quality services within area of responsibility. Works within polices, protocols and professional standards. Seeks further advice and support for actions that effect areas outside their area of responsibility.

3. To be accountable for decisions affecting their sphere of responsibility.

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

1. To adhere at all times to uniform policy.

2. To adhere to GMC guidelines and Hospice policies and procedures.

3. To report appropriately any observed lapses in professional conduct to the Medical Director in line with Hospice policy and GMC guidelines.

4. At all times to act as ambassador for Severn Hospice to patients, relatives, colleagues, and members of the public.

1. Promote and incorporate equality and diversity in all aspects of the teams operations and in the public domain.

1. To be part of the appraisal process and to have demonstrated yearly appraisal meetings and the overall revalidation process

1. To be up to date with mandatory training

EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, APPRAISAL AND TRAINING

1. All employees are required to participate in the GMC appraisal process. This will be conducted once a year by one of the hospice consultants.

2. To take every reasonable opportunity for maintaining, developing, and acquiring competencies and skills for self-development.

3. To participate in the training of other staff.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS

• All new Hospice employees are on a six month probationary period.
• A DBS Disclosure will be requested in the event of an individual being offered the post.
• Travelling expenses are reimbursed in line with the Hospice policy
• The post holder will be expected to:
• Be contactable by telephone when on call
• Promote good relations between the Hospice and all branches of the local community
• Be responsible for their own continuing education and personal development

This job description is a summary of the main responsibilities of the postholder, and not an exhaustive list of duties to be undertaken. The duties may be redefined in accordance with the demands of the service. Any redefinition will be subject to discussion between yourself and your manager and be within your level of competence.

Specific job plan to be agreed with the Medical Director on appointment depending on which hospice site the job relates to.

Qualifications

Essential

• Full GMC Registration
• Up to date with GMC appraisal and revalidation process
• MBCHB

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Good interpersonal skills
• Can work on own initiative and recognise own limitations

Desirable

• Advanced communication skills course

Research/Audit

Essential

• Evidence of understanding of adherence to the principles of Good Medical Practice set out by the General Medical Council
• Evidence of contribution to effective clinical Audit/Quality Improvement (QI) work.

Teaching

Essential

• Commitment to teaching wider multi-disciplinary team members

Desirable

• Experience in undergraduate and postgraduate training and other professional staff
• Evidence of commitment to teaching

Experience

Essential

• Enthusiasm for Palliative Medicine and willingness to learn to grow within the subject
• Ability to take independent clinical decisions when necessary and to seek advice from senior doctors as appropriate

Desirable

• Some previous experience in Palliative Medicine

Communication Skills

Essential

• Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, clinical scientific, technical and managerial colleagues
• Able to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team

Desirable

• Advanced communication skills course

Organisational Skills

Essential

• Ability to organise work efficiently and effectively

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).