Speciality Doctor

Job description

Job responsibilities

Overall purpose of role:

These are new posts created as part of an expansion in our medical team at Naomi House Hospice and Jacksplace. The roles, supported by our specialist palliative care doctors, will involve the medical and ethical management of children and young adults with complex medical conditions who attend the hospices for short respite breaks, symptom management or end of life care. The medical team currently comprises 3 lead doctors (2 Consultants in Specialist Paediatric Palliative Care and 1 Associate Specialist in Young Adult Palliative Care) and 4 Paediatricians who support the 24/7 medical cover for inpatients at the hospice.

Tasks and Duties:

· To support the care team with all new admissions to the hospices, including addressing any concerns from parents/carers, writing up medications and clarifying escalation plans for treatment. For patients admitted for symptom management or end-of-life care, a full medical review will be required. These patients will usually have a clear personalised symptom management plan and plan for admission from one of the lead doctors. For patients admitted for respite, typically a full clinical review of the patient is not required unless concerns are raised.

· To provide medical (and ethical) management of children and young adults, with a wide range of conditions, who are under the care of Naomi House and Jacksplace.

· To carry out care for each child and young person, respecting and maintaining their dignity at all times.

· To provide an on call service as per agreed rota. Out of hours on call is from home with an expectation to come into the hospice in the event of a significant medical problem such as symptom management and end of life care but predominantly involves telephone advice. On call runs from 5.00pm to 9.00am on weekdays and weekends which commence from 5.00pm on Friday and through until Monday at 9.00am. Visits may be required at the weekend for admissions or to review unwell patients. The post holder will need to live within 45 minutes’ travelling time of the hospice.

· When on call, to be responsible for phone calls regarding patients under the care of Naomi House and Jacksplace or patients requiring a rapid referral to the hospice.

· To ensure, in conjunction with the rest of the medical team, that there is always sufficient medical cover for Naomi House and Jacksplace.

· To work with patients and their families to complete advance care plans where appropriate.

· To contribute to research, teaching and new developments within the Hospices and the palliative medicine networks.

· To participate in hospice governance meetings.

· To participate in education and to attend the quarterly Doctors’ meeting which takes place in the evening.

· To support any doctors in training or visiting medical students or work experience students.

· To be responsible for maintaining and updating own professional practice by actively participating in reflective practice, appraisal, management and practice supervision and to be a full and willing participant in opportunities for learning.

· To consider enrolling in a postgraduate diploma of Palliative Medicine if not already attained.

· To undertake training to fulfil the requirements of medical professional bodies, or taking responsibility for maintaining a level of individual training and development to meet Naomi House and Jacksplace requirements.

· To hold each member of the team in positive regard and to foster a culture of respect and consideration between all staff.

· To cover outpatient clinics and home visits if deemed a need as the service evolves

· To undertake other duties as may be reasonably required.

Safeguarding:

Because we work with vulnerable children and adults, this role is subject to an Enhanced and Barred DBS check.

Equality statement:

Naomi House and Jacksplace are committed to providing care and improving services irrespective of race, ethnicity, disability, gender, religion or belief, age, marital status, or sexual orientation

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Relevant Work Experience:
• A significant level of paediatric and/or palliative care experience (for example GPs, Research Hospital or Community Paediatricians, Hospice Doctors or Doctors wishing to pursue a portfolio career).
• Knowledge and skills:
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Appropriate knowledge base and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems.
• Awareness of the basics of managing acute medical disease in children and young people.
• Evidence of competence in management of medical emergencies.
• Evidence of competence to work without direct supervision where appropriate.
• Able to demonstrate proficiency in a range of medical procedures as an indication of manual dexterity and hand-eye co-ordination.
• Attributes:
• Ability to communicate sensitively with children and parents in line with Naomi House and Jacksplaces values and expectations.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a care team.
• Ability to demonstrate respect for children, young people, their families and colleagues.

Desirable

• Relevant Work Experience:
• A significant level of paediatric and/or palliative care experience (for example GPs, Research Hospital or Community Paediatricians, Hospice Doctors or Doctors wishing to pursue a portfolio career).

Qualifications

Essential

• Essential: On the GMC register with a licence to practise.

Desirable

• Desirable: MRCPCH or MRCGP

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Naomi House

Address

Stockbridge Road

Sutton Scotney

Hampshire

SO21 3JE

Employer's website

https://www.naomihouse.org.uk (Opens in a new tab)