Specialty Doctor in Palliative Medicine

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 a Specialty Doctor in Palliative Medicine providing safe and effective medical care 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) 1 in 5 evenings and 1 in 5 weekends at present and provide holiday cover for colleagues. Second on-call support will be provided remotely via telephone by Supportive Care UK (SCUK).

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, encompassing compassion, dignity, respect and integrity

Clinical Responsibilities -

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 ward 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 on call rota. This includes one 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 who are under the care of the hospice.

Produce discharge letters.

Learning & 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 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 with your line manager agreeing organisational, departmental, and personal objectives.

Engage 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, General Medical Council 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.

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

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.

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualifications -
• Primary medical qualification

Desirable

• Qualifications -
• Diploma in Palliative Medicine or equivalent
• Palliative Care courses or study days
• Postgraduate qualification e.g., MRCGP or MRCP

Experience

Essential

• Experience -
• At least four years postgraduate training with at least two years in a relevant specialty
• 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
• good teaching and training
• professional behavior, and probity

Desirable

• Experience -
• Postgraduate experience in Palliative Medicine
• Evidence of participation in clinical audit
• Evidence of participation in research or publications
• Experience of teaching medical students or other health professionals

Experience

Essential

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

Desirable

• Skills / Abilities -
• Communication skills training
• Additional skills e.g., abdominal paracentesis or use of portable ultrasound
• 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.

UK Registration

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