Clinical Fellow - Palliative Medicine

Job responsibilities

Our Team/Department

The successful candidate will join the medical team which consists of two consultants (1.6 WTE), two specialty doctors (1.5 WTE) and a rotation of GP VTS and Specialist registrar posts. This post will primarily be based on the 10 bedded In-Patient Unit, though there may be the opportunity to experience community palliative care.

Primary Job Purpose

• To provide consistent medical support to the inpatient unit at St Raphaels Hospice.
• To provide holistic patient focused care and to work as an integrated member of the multidisciplinary team. You will be supported in your decision making by more senior members of the medical team.
• To gain structured experience in palliative medicine for doctors intending to pursue a career in palliative medicine or in a specialty such as Clinical or Medical oncology, General internal medicine, Care of the Elderly or General Practice, where a substantial proportion of patients will have a terminal illness.

Clinical Work

• To be responsible for the day-to-day holistic medical management of patients on the In-Patient Unit including admissions, clinical meetings, ward rounds and close working with the multidisciplinary team.
• To identify and meet the palliative needs of patients including the physical, psychological, social and spiritual and also the emotional needs of those important to them.
• To share in the medical input to the hospices community palliative care team.
• To maintain accurate, timely and complete records using the hospices electronic patient record system - EMIS.
• To be responsible for death certifications and for the completion of associated administrative requirements.

Continuing professional development

• To be responsible for the maintenance and development of own continuing professional development.
• To engage fully in the appraisal process.
• To actively seek to develop skills and knowledge through reading, reflection and attending both internal and external teaching.

Team working

• To work closely with all members of the multidisciplinary team.
• To liaise with primary and secondary care teams ensuring consistency of information giving and continuity of care.
• To mobilise the assistance of specialists in other disciplines for further measures such as anaesthetic techniques for pain control, radiotherapy and surgery, liaison psychiatry.
• To deputise and cross-cover when other doctors are away or on leave.
• To teach and participate fully in educational programmes and mandatory training, including medical student teaching.

Quality improvement work

• To be involved in agreed audit and research projects.

P1: Professional/Expert Requirements (where applicable)

• Eligible for registration with the GMC.
• MBBS or equivalent.

Skills and Competencies

Essential

• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Good communication skills.
• Sensitive to patients psychological and spiritual needs.
• Awareness of the philosophy of palliative care.
• Ability to prioritise, organise oneself and own work and own learning/development.

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 2 years postgraduate clinical experience with evidence of achievement of Foundation competencies in line with GMC standards.
• Minimum of 12 months experience working in the NHS.
• Applicants knowledge is up to date and is fit to practice safely.
• Logical career progression into palliative care (i.e. Future plans to specialise in Oncology, General Practice or Palliative medicine).
• Shows knowledge of Evidence Based practice.
• Clinical judgement: experience in making clinical decisions and managing risk. Knows when to seek help, able to prioritise clinical need.
• Applicant demonstrates skills in written and spoken English that are adequate to enable effective communication with patients and colleagues.
• Basic knowledge of clinical governance.
• Audit: understands principles.
• IT Skills and computer literacy.

Desirable

• At least 1-year post-Foundation training in relevant medical specialties with evidence of achievement of IM1 competencies or equivalent.
• Experience in Palliative Care.
• Teaching: evidence of interest and experience in teaching.
• Research: demonstrates understanding of research, evidence of relevant academic and research achievements.

Qualifications

Essential

• Full GMC registration and license to practice.
• MBBS or equivalent.

Desirable

• MRCGP, MRCP, FRCA or FRCR.

Personal Attributes

Essential

• A team player.
• Ability to recognise stress in oneself and a team member.
• Commitment to learning.

Desirable

• Ability to cope constructively with stress and conflict in the workplace.
• Commitment to the specialty and its future development.
• A full UK driving licence.

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).