Lead Clinician

Job description

Job responsibilities

You will contribute and commit to promoting a positive team-based attitude, striving for the highest standards of care, and achieving excellence, through continued development and compassion.

Primarily Hospice based, you will work as the Hospices Lead Clinician and named Responsible Clinician, providing oversight, safe and effective medical care for inpatients, outpatients, and patients attending the Living Well Centre. You will also provide input to the telephone advice service.

You will undertake clinical work independently and assist in administrative tasks relevant to the day-to-day care of patients in the hospice. You will be required to participate in teaching activities and clinical audit and research activities within the Hospice.

You will participate in the medical first on-call rota (non-resident). Second on call support will be provided by consultants in person or virtually.

The list below is to outline the main duties involved; however, this is subject to change and will vary within the given role. We ask all employees to be flexible in their role, to always ensure we are delivering care of the highest standard and in line with our shared organisational values.

Clinical Responsibilities

Have clinical oversight into the management, continuity, and delivery of all care to patients on the inpatient unit throughout their stay.

Share responsibility for the day-to-day management of patients on the inpatient unit including initial assessment, management, planning and daily review.

Participate in regular meetings to discuss the care of patients on the in-patient unit and patients who are referred to the service.

Participate in relevant clinical meetings, as part of the wider multi-disciplinary team.

Ensure close liaison with and support, nursing staff and other members of the multi-professional team.

Engage in supportive communication about disease and management with patients and those important to them.

Participate in the non-resident first on call Rota. We aim to better the SAS contracted rota (1 in 4) so the normal is a weekend in five, one weekday night per week and usually two Bank Holidays per annum. Responsibilities include a ward round in the morning of each day of the weekend and on bank holidays (currently 10am-2pm) followed by availability for telephone advice and face to face assessments at the hospice if required.

Contribute to the medical care of patients attending the Living Well Centre and outpatients.

Provide telephone advice to hospital and primary care colleagues, community specialist palliative care nurses and other health care professionals.

Liaise with the Hospital Palliative Care Team, GPs, and the Community Palliative Care team regarding patient care.

Participate in the hospice and regional audit programmes, taking the lead on some projects.

Contribute to all aspects of clinical governance including clinical incidents and complaints.

Administrative Responsibilities

Maintain a high standard of record-keeping via the computerised medical notes.

Correspond with GPs, hospital consultants and other relevant health care professionals regarding patients under the hospice's care.

Produce discharge letters

Management Responsibilities

Leadership: We are seek somebody to provide professional leadership to the Hospice medical team, ensuring that performance is appropriately managed in line with GMC guidelines, and that the working of the team supports the achievement of the Hospices strategic objectives. A leader who is efficient, effective and is a role model for the application of the Hospices values and can be the medical representative and voice to the Hospice Senior Management Team.

Policies: Ensure that the Hospices core policies are integral to and embedded in the practice of the Medical Team.

Risk and Governance: To work with members of the SMT to ensure that all regulatory and risk management requirements are satisfied and to direct the development of systems, control processes which will establish safe and consistent service delivery and monitoring arrangements. Also, to ensure that remedial action is promptly taken where unacceptable risks are identified. To be the medical lead and representative at Hospice Committee and Board meetings as required.

Learning and Development Responsibilities

Contribute to the palliative care education programme for fourth year medical students from University of Liverpool University who are placed at the hospice. This will include bedside teaching and work-based assessments.

Provide teaching, education, and training for hospice nurses and other healthcare professionals as required.

Attendance at integrated education meetings and other relevant educational activities.

Participation in the supervision and training of junior medical staff.

Engage with personal annual appraisal and progress reviews, agreeing organisational, departmental, and personal objectives.

Engage with and support the Responsible Officer with the annual job planning cycle.

Participate in continuous professional development as recommended by the Royal College of Physicians.

Maintain active professional registration and a License to Practice with the General Medical Council.

Act in accordance with hospice policies and procedures, GMC Code of Professional Conduct and other guiding documentation.

Develop a personal development plan.

NB: Study leave will be available and negotiated in line with service needs.

Terms and Conditions

The contract for this post will be held by the Hospice of the Good Shepherd (in line with National SAS Contract 2021).

NHS pay scales will be used and NHS pension scheme continued (if already a member) / or alternative Stakeholder Pension Scheme.

The post holder will be fully registered with the GMC with a license to practice.

The post holder will fulfil requirements of annual GMC appraisal and hospice reviews.

The postholder will be a fully subscribed member of a medical defence organisation. This cover must support the delivery of Hospice services and business continuity.

Person Specification

Knowledge

Essential

• Sound knowledge of complex symptom control general medicine
• Knowledge of Clinical Governance

Desirable

• Aware of relevant Network and National Guidelines relevant to Palliative Care

Qualifications

Essential

• Primary medical qualification

Desirable

• Diploma in Palliative Medicine or equivalent
• Palliative Care courses or study days
• Postgraduate qualification e.g., MRCGP or MRCP
• Certificate of Post Graduate Medical Education

Other Requirements

Essential

• Demonstrates empathy and sensitivity.
• Works well as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Flexible approach to work, able to adapt to deliver excellent patient care.
• Able to manage own time and cope with pressure.
• Promotes equality and values diversity.
• Commitment to ongoing learning and personal development
• Occupational Health clearance
• Enhanced Disclosure clearance from Criminal Records Bureau.

Experience

Essential

• At least six years postgraduate training with at least four years in palliative medicine or evidence of experience acting as a Responsible Clinician.
• Evidence of participation in clinical audit
• Experience of teaching medical students or other health professionals
• Ensuring patient safety and person-centered approach to care
• Working to GMC standards in line with Good Medical Practice including good clinical care
• Maintaining good medical practice
• Good relationships and communication with patients and colleagues
• Evidence of post graduate teaching
• Professional behavior and probity

Desirable

• Evidence of participation in research or publications
• Experience of providing clinical leadership within a multi-professional team.
• Experience of managing change within the workplace.
• Evidence of management training

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Excellent effective communication skills with ability to communicate in written and spoken English.
• Advanced Communication skills training
• Able to medically assess patients and take clinical decisions.
• Know when to seek help and prioritise clinical need.
• Practical skills e.g., venipuncture, IV Good IT skills

Desirable

• Additional skills e.g., abdominal paracentesis or use of portable ultrasound
• Evidence of ability to plan and undertake clinical audit and research

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Hospice of the Good Shepherd

Address

Hospice of the Good Shepherd

Gordon Lane, Backford

Chester

Cheshire

CH2 4DG

Employer's website

https://hospiceofthegoodshepherd.com/ (Opens in a new tab)