Speciality Doctor in Palliative Medicine
This job is now closed
Job summary
Salary scale as advert plus 4% on call supplement and 1.2 PA per annum for on call duties.
We are looking for someone who is highly motivated, willing to learn and flexible in their approach to support our teams and patients across all arms of our services.
Although hospital-based, the post would offer opportunities to gain experience across all arms of the Trinity Hospice and Palliative Care services and offers professional support through the SAS doctor development program for career progression.
The successful candidate will have full GMC registration and a minimum of four years post qualification experience in acute medicine and/or general practice. The post is full time with a 1 in 5 non-resident on call commitment. Applicants wanting to work less than full time will be considered.
Main duties of the job
This is an ideal opportunity for a doctor with a special interest in Palliative Medicine to join the hospice at an exciting time of growth. This post would suit someone wishing to pursue a career as a specialty doctor in Palliative Medicine, gain experience in Palliative Medicine pre-application for higher specialist training, or for a GP looking to develop a portfolio career. Previous candidates have been successful in applying for higher Specialist Training in Palliative Medicine. We are looking for someone who is highly motivated, willing to learn and flexible in their approach to support the team and patients across our services.
About us
We have a large education and research department as well as adult and children counselling services and are a training unit for specialty trainees in palliative medicine, GP trainees and undergraduates from Liverpool Medical School. If a candidate is interested there are ample opportunities for research including applying for an honorary research contract and working with the Senior Lecturer in Palliative Medicine in the International Observatory on End of Life Care, Lancaster University.
We offer an excellent working environment as part of a friendly, dedicated and professional team. Benefits include NHS Pension Scheme transferable, Child Care Vouchers, generous annual leave, and free onsite parking.
Details
Date posted
03 August 2021
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
£45,124 to £77,519 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
B0270-21-8781
Job locations
Low Moor Road
Blackpool
Lancashire
FY2 0BG
Blackpool Teaching Hospital
Whinney Heys Road
Blackpool
FY3 8NR
Job description
Job responsibilities
OVERALL PURPOSE: To work alongside the Consultants in Palliative Medicine and the medical team and nursing teams and wider MDT to ensure continuity of care for all patients under the care of the organisation across all arms of the service.
To actively contribute to the clinical management plan of patients across the family of services that makes up Trinity Hospice and Palliative Care services.
To support training and educational activities within the team and more widely with hospital and community services.
To support audit, research and service development projects under the guidance of the Consultants in Palliative Medicine
To maintain continuous professional learning and development.
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Day to day medical care of patients known to the Hospital Palliative Care Team and opsital Pwithin the multi-disciplinary care team.
Where needed, working with the wider MDT, the in-patient unit and community arms of the service in the care of patients, providing support to Trinity Clinical Nurse Specialists teams.
Participate in the on call rota as a first on call doctor supported by a consultant or senior speciality doctor.
Under the direction of senior medical or nursing colleagues give appropriate and safe advice to health and social care professionals seeking guidance.
Supporting the process of clinical audit and quality improvements across the organisation.
Deliver teaching as appropriate to all levels of staff including medical students.
Support doctors and nurses (and other allied health professionals) in their training.
HOURS OF WORK This is a full time post with a 1 in 5 prospective cover non-resident weeknight plus weekend on call commitment.
(Applications for less than full time or job-share will be considered)
Main Duties of post
1.
To undertake clinical care for patients primarily within the hospital setting working collaboratively across the Trinity family of services, performing holistic assessments and reviewing their management plans as required, ensuring effective communication with the patient, their family and the wider teams.
2.
To ensure safe and effective prescribing following the hospital and Trinitys and prescribing guidelines. To support the regular audit of prescribing and contribute to the review of prescribing guidelines.
3.
To carry out clinical procedures such as venepuncture, cannulation or urinary catheterisation within the limits of competency. Initiate clinically appropriate investigations including CT and MRI scans under the guidance of a senior physician.
4.
To work with the Trinity Research Group and key partners around research and audit projects. Where appropriate to become actively involved in research projects under the guidance of the research team and to participate in quality improvement projects, designing and leading QIP depending on experience.
5.
To deliver training and education to all levels of staff, as directed by the senior clinical staff.
Learning & Development
6.
To keep up to date with current medical practice and thinking in palliative care by attending regular updates and training courses as directed by senior medical staff. To maintain a record of training and learning using the Royal College of Physicians e-portfolio and participate in regular review with an in-house GMC accredited clinical supervisor. To participate in annual appraisal and effectively maintain a continuous professional learning and development plan agreed with you through the appraisal process and with the support of the SAS doctor development program to support career progression.
7.
To contribute to audit, research, and quality improvement projects and participate in the supervision, teaching and assessments of medical students and more junior colleagues as needed.
8.
To develop an area of specialism in a non cancer related end of life illness and become an expert resource for the hospice in that area.
9.
To be a champion for palliative and end of life care and make a positive contribution to raising the profile of the work of the Hospice locally and nationally including co-operating with fundraising and the charitable aims of the organisation.
General Responsibilities
10.
To comply with all policies and procedures of the hospice in all areas but especially around clinical and health and safety issues. To complete all required mandatory training and HR processes.
11.
To raise concerns around any aspect of hospice activity with an appropriate member of staff as per Trinitys policies and procedures. To promote at all times the Hospice philosophy, values and ways of working as outlined in the person specification.
12.
To be a co-operative and supportive member of the Trinity staff team, ensuring that all members are aware of any issues in the post holders workload, which may affect other members of the Trinity team.
13.
To provide additional support as needed to students on placement with Trinity.
Professional Function
Clinical
14. To maintain training and knowledge about safeguarding issues for vulnerable adults and to support other staff in acting appropriately if safeguarding issues are raised. To complete mandatory training requirements as determined by Trinity which will include a working knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act and Protection of Liberties Safeguards legislation.
15. To ensure all clinical activity undertaken is evidenced base, clinically safe and within the competence of the clinician performing it.
16. To undertake 1st on-call duties for the service overnight and weekends, taking calls requesting advice from hospital, community, covering IPU reviewing, admitting and supporting the discharges of patients as required under the supervision of the consultant or senior specialty doctor 2nd on-call.
17. To maintain good contemporaneous clinical record keeping and communications necessary to ensure effective coordination and continuity of care.
18. To understand the need for and comply with Trinity governance processes and procedures to ensure patient and colleague safety and best possible care.
19. To comply with GMC guidance and to follow the principals of Good Medical Practice at all times. To alert the Medical Director if your registration or one of the other doctors working for the organisation is brought into question, regardless of the reason for this.
20. To ensure you have sufficient medical indemnity to practice in the hospice.
21. To participate in annual appraisal and all actions needed to meet the requirements for revalidation and have a licence to practice from the GMC
22. To maintain individual and team professional resilience by developing self-awareness and valuing the importance of self-care.
Management
23. To manage and prioritise time effectively, working with the team to ensure patient care is delivered in a timely manner.
24. To keep an ongoing record of all training and teaching and be prepared for revalidation as needed.
On call is based on 1 in 5 first on call nights and weekends (Saturday and Sunday) with a half day off after the weekend as a rest period.
It is anticipated that the post holder will work reduced hours on a Saturday and Sunday and usually get at least 8 hours uninterrupted rest overnight.
On call is non-resident with the doctor able to leave once all tasks have been completed and then be available by phone and able to return to the hospice when needed within 60 minutes or less.
Activity Levels
Our hospital team consists of 6 CNSs including 3 NMPs and 3 ACNSs, 3 HCAs and who assess, support and coordinate palliative and the end of life care of over 1400 hospital inpatients last year and have expanded to deliver a 7 day service from May 2021. The team is supported by 2 Consultants in Palliative Medicine, 2 trainee ACPs and a part time pharmacist.
The in-patient unit admits just over 340 patients a year with an average length of stay of 13 days. 2 or 3 patients are admitted each day Monday to Friday. We do not currently routinely admit patients at weekends but may admit a patient if there are urgent clinical reasons to do so. This may change if the inpatient unit moves to 7 day admissions.
Our community team consists of 6 CNSs and 8 ACNSs including 7 NMPs 4 HCAs and, with our Hospice at Home service, assessed, supported and coordinated the palliative and end of life care of over 1400 and 4500 patients respectively at home and in care homes in our local community last year. The team is supported by 2 Consultants in Palliative Medicine and a senior specialty doctor rostered across the week.
Together all of our teams work closely with an MDT that includes specialist nursing, social, psychology, counselling and chaplaincy services to deliver excellent, holistic and compassionate care for our patients.
The Trinity Day Therapy service has been suspended during the pandemic, with plans to revise the model of care to one of a Living Well Service, offering, timely holistic support and therapies bespoke to the individual patient needs and aiming to support more patients and families earlier with their needs due to life limiting conditions. The envisioned service will take referrals from the Clinical Nurse Specialist team, the In-patient unit, GPs, Community Matrons and the Clinical Psychology team.
We have two full time GPST doctors and a Specialty Trainee in Palliative Medicine who rotates every six months.
We host up to 6 fourth year undergraduate Medical Students from Liverpool University Medical School on a 3 week placement 8 times a year.
We are a research active hospice. The community consultant is a senior lecturer in palliative medicine at Lancaster University and works closely with the International Observatory on End of Life Care. Research is not an obligatory part of the post, but there are many opportunities for an interested candidate including an honorary research contract with Lancaster University.
Job description
Job responsibilities
OVERALL PURPOSE: To work alongside the Consultants in Palliative Medicine and the medical team and nursing teams and wider MDT to ensure continuity of care for all patients under the care of the organisation across all arms of the service.
To actively contribute to the clinical management plan of patients across the family of services that makes up Trinity Hospice and Palliative Care services.
To support training and educational activities within the team and more widely with hospital and community services.
To support audit, research and service development projects under the guidance of the Consultants in Palliative Medicine
To maintain continuous professional learning and development.
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Day to day medical care of patients known to the Hospital Palliative Care Team and opsital Pwithin the multi-disciplinary care team.
Where needed, working with the wider MDT, the in-patient unit and community arms of the service in the care of patients, providing support to Trinity Clinical Nurse Specialists teams.
Participate in the on call rota as a first on call doctor supported by a consultant or senior speciality doctor.
Under the direction of senior medical or nursing colleagues give appropriate and safe advice to health and social care professionals seeking guidance.
Supporting the process of clinical audit and quality improvements across the organisation.
Deliver teaching as appropriate to all levels of staff including medical students.
Support doctors and nurses (and other allied health professionals) in their training.
HOURS OF WORK This is a full time post with a 1 in 5 prospective cover non-resident weeknight plus weekend on call commitment.
(Applications for less than full time or job-share will be considered)
Main Duties of post
1.
To undertake clinical care for patients primarily within the hospital setting working collaboratively across the Trinity family of services, performing holistic assessments and reviewing their management plans as required, ensuring effective communication with the patient, their family and the wider teams.
2.
To ensure safe and effective prescribing following the hospital and Trinitys and prescribing guidelines. To support the regular audit of prescribing and contribute to the review of prescribing guidelines.
3.
To carry out clinical procedures such as venepuncture, cannulation or urinary catheterisation within the limits of competency. Initiate clinically appropriate investigations including CT and MRI scans under the guidance of a senior physician.
4.
To work with the Trinity Research Group and key partners around research and audit projects. Where appropriate to become actively involved in research projects under the guidance of the research team and to participate in quality improvement projects, designing and leading QIP depending on experience.
5.
To deliver training and education to all levels of staff, as directed by the senior clinical staff.
Learning & Development
6.
To keep up to date with current medical practice and thinking in palliative care by attending regular updates and training courses as directed by senior medical staff. To maintain a record of training and learning using the Royal College of Physicians e-portfolio and participate in regular review with an in-house GMC accredited clinical supervisor. To participate in annual appraisal and effectively maintain a continuous professional learning and development plan agreed with you through the appraisal process and with the support of the SAS doctor development program to support career progression.
7.
To contribute to audit, research, and quality improvement projects and participate in the supervision, teaching and assessments of medical students and more junior colleagues as needed.
8.
To develop an area of specialism in a non cancer related end of life illness and become an expert resource for the hospice in that area.
9.
To be a champion for palliative and end of life care and make a positive contribution to raising the profile of the work of the Hospice locally and nationally including co-operating with fundraising and the charitable aims of the organisation.
General Responsibilities
10.
To comply with all policies and procedures of the hospice in all areas but especially around clinical and health and safety issues. To complete all required mandatory training and HR processes.
11.
To raise concerns around any aspect of hospice activity with an appropriate member of staff as per Trinitys policies and procedures. To promote at all times the Hospice philosophy, values and ways of working as outlined in the person specification.
12.
To be a co-operative and supportive member of the Trinity staff team, ensuring that all members are aware of any issues in the post holders workload, which may affect other members of the Trinity team.
13.
To provide additional support as needed to students on placement with Trinity.
Professional Function
Clinical
14. To maintain training and knowledge about safeguarding issues for vulnerable adults and to support other staff in acting appropriately if safeguarding issues are raised. To complete mandatory training requirements as determined by Trinity which will include a working knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act and Protection of Liberties Safeguards legislation.
15. To ensure all clinical activity undertaken is evidenced base, clinically safe and within the competence of the clinician performing it.
16. To undertake 1st on-call duties for the service overnight and weekends, taking calls requesting advice from hospital, community, covering IPU reviewing, admitting and supporting the discharges of patients as required under the supervision of the consultant or senior specialty doctor 2nd on-call.
17. To maintain good contemporaneous clinical record keeping and communications necessary to ensure effective coordination and continuity of care.
18. To understand the need for and comply with Trinity governance processes and procedures to ensure patient and colleague safety and best possible care.
19. To comply with GMC guidance and to follow the principals of Good Medical Practice at all times. To alert the Medical Director if your registration or one of the other doctors working for the organisation is brought into question, regardless of the reason for this.
20. To ensure you have sufficient medical indemnity to practice in the hospice.
21. To participate in annual appraisal and all actions needed to meet the requirements for revalidation and have a licence to practice from the GMC
22. To maintain individual and team professional resilience by developing self-awareness and valuing the importance of self-care.
Management
23. To manage and prioritise time effectively, working with the team to ensure patient care is delivered in a timely manner.
24. To keep an ongoing record of all training and teaching and be prepared for revalidation as needed.
On call is based on 1 in 5 first on call nights and weekends (Saturday and Sunday) with a half day off after the weekend as a rest period.
It is anticipated that the post holder will work reduced hours on a Saturday and Sunday and usually get at least 8 hours uninterrupted rest overnight.
On call is non-resident with the doctor able to leave once all tasks have been completed and then be available by phone and able to return to the hospice when needed within 60 minutes or less.
Activity Levels
Our hospital team consists of 6 CNSs including 3 NMPs and 3 ACNSs, 3 HCAs and who assess, support and coordinate palliative and the end of life care of over 1400 hospital inpatients last year and have expanded to deliver a 7 day service from May 2021. The team is supported by 2 Consultants in Palliative Medicine, 2 trainee ACPs and a part time pharmacist.
The in-patient unit admits just over 340 patients a year with an average length of stay of 13 days. 2 or 3 patients are admitted each day Monday to Friday. We do not currently routinely admit patients at weekends but may admit a patient if there are urgent clinical reasons to do so. This may change if the inpatient unit moves to 7 day admissions.
Our community team consists of 6 CNSs and 8 ACNSs including 7 NMPs 4 HCAs and, with our Hospice at Home service, assessed, supported and coordinated the palliative and end of life care of over 1400 and 4500 patients respectively at home and in care homes in our local community last year. The team is supported by 2 Consultants in Palliative Medicine and a senior specialty doctor rostered across the week.
Together all of our teams work closely with an MDT that includes specialist nursing, social, psychology, counselling and chaplaincy services to deliver excellent, holistic and compassionate care for our patients.
The Trinity Day Therapy service has been suspended during the pandemic, with plans to revise the model of care to one of a Living Well Service, offering, timely holistic support and therapies bespoke to the individual patient needs and aiming to support more patients and families earlier with their needs due to life limiting conditions. The envisioned service will take referrals from the Clinical Nurse Specialist team, the In-patient unit, GPs, Community Matrons and the Clinical Psychology team.
We have two full time GPST doctors and a Specialty Trainee in Palliative Medicine who rotates every six months.
We host up to 6 fourth year undergraduate Medical Students from Liverpool University Medical School on a 3 week placement 8 times a year.
We are a research active hospice. The community consultant is a senior lecturer in palliative medicine at Lancaster University and works closely with the International Observatory on End of Life Care. Research is not an obligatory part of the post, but there are many opportunities for an interested candidate including an honorary research contract with Lancaster University.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- 1. MBBS, MBChB or equivalent
- 2. Full GMC registration and license to practice
- 3. At least 4 years post registration
- training
- 4. Eligibility to work in the UK
Desirable
- 1. Certificate / Diploma in Palliative Care
- 2. MRCP/MRCGP
Experience
Essential
- 1. Knowledge of symptom control in palliative care including malignant and non-malignant disease
- 2. Ability to manage a caseload independently
- 3. Ability to manage a caseload independently
Desirable
- 4. Experience in Oncology/ Care of the Elderly / General Practice.
- 5. Knowledge and experience of multi-disciplinary specialist palliative care within hospital, community and hospice settings
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- 1. Excellent clinical skills in history taking and examination
- 2. Evidence of fulfilling GMC good medical practice domains
- 3. Understanding of clinical governance
Communication Skills
Essential
- 1. Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
- 2. Ability to communicate effectively (written, verbal and non-verbal communication) with patients/relatives and carers and all members of the multi-disciplinary team
- 3. Ability to work collaboratively with other teams.
Desirable
- 1. Advanced communication skills training
Research and Audit and Quality Improvement
Essential
- 1. Understands principles of research, Audit and Quality Improvement
- 2. Evidence of participation in audit cycle
- 3. Evidence of participation in quality improvement
Desirable
- 1. Evidence of participation in clinical research & publications
Education and Teaching
Essential
- 1. Evidence of interest and experience in education across settings
- 2. Committed to continuing personal development and medical education
Desirable
- 1. PGCE
Personal Attributes
Essential
- 1. Able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- 2. Ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing needs of patients, team and service.
- 3. Ability to work autonomously but awareness of limits of own knowledge and when to seek help
- 4. Effective time management skills and ability to prioritise workload effectively
- 5. Flexible approach to work
- 6. Ability to manage a caseload independently
- 7. Effective time management skills and ability to prioritise workload effectively
- 8. Flexible approach to work
- 9. Effective time management skills and ability to prioritise workload effectively
- 10 Flexible approach to work
- 11. Demonstrates initiative and resilience
Desirable
- 1. Leadership & management experience
- 2. Willingness to develop clinical skills to support delivery of strategic and operational plans
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- 1. MBBS, MBChB or equivalent
- 2. Full GMC registration and license to practice
- 3. At least 4 years post registration
- training
- 4. Eligibility to work in the UK
Desirable
- 1. Certificate / Diploma in Palliative Care
- 2. MRCP/MRCGP
Experience
Essential
- 1. Knowledge of symptom control in palliative care including malignant and non-malignant disease
- 2. Ability to manage a caseload independently
- 3. Ability to manage a caseload independently
Desirable
- 4. Experience in Oncology/ Care of the Elderly / General Practice.
- 5. Knowledge and experience of multi-disciplinary specialist palliative care within hospital, community and hospice settings
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- 1. Excellent clinical skills in history taking and examination
- 2. Evidence of fulfilling GMC good medical practice domains
- 3. Understanding of clinical governance
Communication Skills
Essential
- 1. Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
- 2. Ability to communicate effectively (written, verbal and non-verbal communication) with patients/relatives and carers and all members of the multi-disciplinary team
- 3. Ability to work collaboratively with other teams.
Desirable
- 1. Advanced communication skills training
Research and Audit and Quality Improvement
Essential
- 1. Understands principles of research, Audit and Quality Improvement
- 2. Evidence of participation in audit cycle
- 3. Evidence of participation in quality improvement
Desirable
- 1. Evidence of participation in clinical research & publications
Education and Teaching
Essential
- 1. Evidence of interest and experience in education across settings
- 2. Committed to continuing personal development and medical education
Desirable
- 1. PGCE
Personal Attributes
Essential
- 1. Able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- 2. Ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing needs of patients, team and service.
- 3. Ability to work autonomously but awareness of limits of own knowledge and when to seek help
- 4. Effective time management skills and ability to prioritise workload effectively
- 5. Flexible approach to work
- 6. Ability to manage a caseload independently
- 7. Effective time management skills and ability to prioritise workload effectively
- 8. Flexible approach to work
- 9. Effective time management skills and ability to prioritise workload effectively
- 10 Flexible approach to work
- 11. Demonstrates initiative and resilience
Desirable
- 1. Leadership & management experience
- 2. Willingness to develop clinical skills to support delivery of strategic and operational plans
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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
Trinity Hospice
Address
Low Moor Road
Blackpool
Lancashire
FY2 0BG
Employer's website
https://www.trinityhospice.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Trinity Hospice
Address
Low Moor Road
Blackpool
Lancashire
FY2 0BG
Employer's website
https://www.trinityhospice.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Harriet Preston
Details
Date posted
03 August 2021
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
£45,124 to £77,519 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
B0270-21-8781
Job locations
Low Moor Road
Blackpool
Lancashire
FY2 0BG
Blackpool Teaching Hospital
Whinney Heys Road
Blackpool
FY3 8NR