Specialty Doctor in Palliative Medicine (part time - fixed term)

Job responsibilities

You will be part of a team of practitioners dedicated to providing high quality specialist services and working closely within a multidisciplinary team.

This post in Palliative Medicine offers an opportunity for doctors wishing to have further experience in Palliative and end of life care. The post will suit a doctor wishing to specialise in this field of medicine.

The post offers a broad range of experience in Palliative and end of life care. Training will be offered within the department and the post holder will be expected to carry out additional training in line with the Royal College of Physicians recommendations.

Clinical Responsibilities:

Under the direction of the Medical Director be responsible for medical care and advice to the Inpatient Unit, Day Hospice and outpatients.

Admit new patients to the hospice and plan their care in collaboration with hospice and MDT staff. Liaise with other HCP involved regarding their care.

Medical reviews of all inpatients at the hospice on regular basis and in line with patient need.

Medical review of the Vitality centre patients on a rotating, regular basis and when requested by staff.

Attend the weekly IMDT.

Undertake outpatient clinics, deputizing for the Consultant where necessary.

Contribute to the first on call (non-residential) medical rota comprising 1 in 4 weekends (Friday 17:00 Monday 09:00am) and one night per week (5 pm 9 am). It is expected that a ward round will be performed on both Saturday and Sunday (usually 10 am 3 pm). Additional on call duties may be undertaken my mutual agreement with the post holder. There is second on call support through a consultant second on call rota for Warrington.

To work effectively with colleagues and other members of the MDT the post holder will be expected to develop working relationships and communicate regularly with the wider clinical and non-clinical team including GPs, Specialist Palliative Care Nurses, District Nurses and clerical staff.

Offer telephone and face to face advice for the community MacMillan Nurses, GPs, DNs and hospital team.

Perform clinical procedures including paracentesis (training will be provided).

Provide cross cover for other doctors clinical work as appropriate and when mutually agreed.

Undertake patient related administration in line with best practice guidance.

Attend the daily morning handover.

The post holder is expected to manage and maintain relationships across the Hospice.

To maintain clear and concise clinical records in line with the Hospice documentation policy.

To communicate clearly with patients and their families.

Support the Palliative Care hub SPA and Virtual Palliative Ward meeting

Management Responsibilities:

Attend and input into hospice management meetings as necessary.

Attend ad hoc meetings outside the hospice in relation to hospice development and patient care.

Attend and actively participate in the regular quarterly doctors’ business meeting Governance & Audit

To contribute to all aspects of clinical governance with the supervision of the Medical Director.

Participate in the hospice audit programme taking the lead on some projects working with other clinical colleagues.

Attend and participate in the pallaborative northwest audit group meeting, working with the clinical team to cascade information and audit results to all clinical staff.

Attend regular team meetings to plan and coordinate care.

Support hospice work with user surveys and feedback.

Participate and input in the hospice clinical governance issues in line with the Quality & Safety Meeting, including clinical incidents and complaint investigation when appropriate.

Teaching Responsibilities

Support and supervision of any clinical attachment or work shadowing including Medical students, A-Level students, GPST trainees,GPs and hospital medical staff in liaison with the medical team and HR.

Attends and input into the SAS doctors in palliative medicine meetings.

To participate in undergraduate medical education and to be involved in the 4th year medical students palliative care teaching programme at the hospice within the need of the service.

Informal teaching for nurses during handover / OPD and ward rounds.

Participate in formal teaching/training sessions for all clinical staff.

Participate in the teaching for staff outside the hospice alongside other clinical team members when requested.

Please see attached job description for more details.

Qualifications

Essential

• Medical Degree MBChB or equivalent.
• Full GMC Registration.

Desirable

• MRCP, MRCGP
• Diploma in palliative medicine or equivalent
• Masters degree Experience in research and /or MSc
• Membership of special interest group
• Experience in teaching/ attendance of a train the teachers in palliative care course
• Teaching qualification
• Evidence of management training
• Specialty knowledge

Skills

Essential

• Excellent effective communication skills
• Able to medically assess patients and take clinical decisions
• Know when to seek help, able to prioritise clinical need
• A commitment to patient involvement in the design of service improvements
• Ability to develop strong working relationships internally and externally
• Practical skills eg venupuncture, IV canulation
• An ability to demonstrate a commitment to team and multi- professional working
• An ability to work with groups of staff from a variety of professional backgrounds in a collaborative manner
• An ability to demonstrate
• reasoning skills to address challenge
• An ability to organise self and others
• Ability to communicate in written and spoken English
• Computer literate, good IT skills

Desirable

• Communication skills training
• Ability to plan and undertake clinical audit and research
• Additional skills eg abdominal paracentesis or use of portable ultrasound

Knowledge

Essential

• Clinical knowledge relevant to palliative care and general medicine.
• Medical knowledge up to date.
• Knowledge of principles of symptom management in palliative care.
• Knowledge of Clinical Governance.

Desirable

• Sound knowledge of complex symptom control.
• Aware of relevant Network and National Guidelines relevant to Palliative care.

Experience

Essential

• 3 years post registration experience, including 1 years relevant experience in allied specialities (e.g. GP, general medicine)
• Working to GMC standards in line with good medical practice.

Desirable

• Palliative care or hospice experience
• Experience in adult safeguarding Experience in practical procedures.

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Self-motivated
• Able to meet the travel/ health requirements of the job
• Effective time management skills Flexibility
• Open honest approach
• Able to drive & ability to drive
• Demonstrate empathy and sensitivity
• Commitment to ongoing learning and personal development
• Promote equality and diversity

Registration and indemnity

Essential

• Full GMC registration with licence to practice.
• Member of a Medical Defence Society.
• Eligible to work in the UK.

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).