Job summary
A rewarding opportunity for a 1-year clinical fellow position within the specialist paediatric palliative care team (SPACE) is available as part of a rolling programme for a September 2025 start. This post in
paediatric palliative care is suitable for a middle grade doctor wishing to
gain experience in paediatric palliative medicine. The post is SPIN in
Paediatric Palliative Medicine accredited for those applicants who fit the
criteria for RCPCH SPIN training. The role will be working within the
specialist palliative care team who are based at the hospice, providing
palliative and end of life care support in hospice, community and hospital
settings across Surrey and Southwest London.
The post holder will gain specialist Paediatric Palliative care experience
through the development of skills in pain and symptom management, advance
communication, supporting care at end of life and advance care planning.
The post will offer experience in
- Specialist non-oncology paediatric palliative care under the SPACE team
-
Specialist Paediatric Palliative Oncology care under Royal Marsden and St
Georges hospitals
-
Out of hours specialist telephone advice service through participation on
the Paediatric Palliative Care Service (PATCH) on call rota (separate contract)
Main duties of the job
This post in paediatric palliative care is suitable for a middle grade
doctor wishing to gain experience in paediatric palliative medicine.
You will be eligible for registration with the GMC, have a minimum of 2
years as paediatric ST2-3 equivalent posts, of which 1 year in UK/Ireland, and
an appropriate level of clinical knowledge.
Please see the attached job description for more information about this
opportunity at Shooting Star Childrens Hospices.
About us
Shooting Star Childrens Hospices provides specialist care and support
to families who have a baby, child or young person with a life-limiting
condition, or who have been bereaved. Rated Outstanding by the Care Quality
Commission, we support families across Surrey, north-west London and south-west
London from diagnosis to end of life and throughout bereavement with a range of
nursing, practical, emotional and medical care.
Our specialist care and support is free of charge to families and
available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It includes specialist nursing in
the community, symptom management and pain relief, overnight respite stays,
end-of-life care, specialist bereavement care and a comprehensive range of
therapies, groups and clinics for the whole family.
At the heart of what we do are our dedicated staff; their exceptional
commitment and professionalism means every family has the opportunity to make
every moment count.
It costs £10 million a year to run Shooting Star Childrens Hospices.
Just 30% of our funding comes from the government, so we rely on our
supporters generosity to keep the service running. We employ 175 members of
staff, including 98 nursing and medical staff, and support around 700
families.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Title:Clinical fellow in Paediatric Palliative Medicine
Team:Symptom and Community Service
Group:SPACE Team (Specialist paediatric palliative care team)
Reports to:Consultant in Paediatric Palliative Medicine
Hours:40 hours per week
Level and salary:NHS ST3-ST8 £55,329 to £63,152 plus PATCH (Paediatric Palliative Care Service) oncall payment
Location:Christophers, Guildford, Royal Marsden Hospital and St Georges Hospital
Shooting Star Children hospices organisation
The Hospice Trustee Board comprises of an independent chair, Mr Andrew Coppell CBE and nine non-executive directors (trustees) who come from a variety of backgrounds including three with clinical experience. It is also attended by the CEO, seven executive directors (Director of Finance, Director of Care, Director of Strategy and Partnerships, Director of People and Culture, Director of Fundraising, Executive Vice President and Director of Marketing and Digital), and the Medical Director.
The Shooting Star Childrens Hospices care clinical services are divided into three areas:
- Hospice In-patient services
- Symptom and Community services
- Family Support and Psychosocial services
The SPACE team is part of the Symptom and Community service. Both teams in this service have a nurse team lead, and the Nurse consultant is the current manager for both the SPACE and community team leads. The Medical Director and Director of Care work together to support the hospice clinical service. The current Medical Director also works in the SPACE team as a Consultant in Paediatric Palliative Medicine.
Business Strategy
SSCH is a charity funded organisation. It has funded, through sole charity means, the regional specialist paediatric palliative care service (SPACE team) for more than a decade. In 2020, SSCH in collaboration with Southwest London and Surrey Heartlands CCGs were successful in obtaining NHSE match funding with incremental funding for a four-year period to fund the regional specialist service. It will seek continual funding from Surrey and Southwest London ICBs with some ongoing additional hospice charity support. The SPACE team seeks to address Specialist paediatric palliative care within the National NHSE Service Specification for Paediatric Palliative and End of life care within the region.
Hospitals within the SPACE team catchment area
Surrey Heartland:
- St Peters Hospital (tertiary NICU)
- Royal Surrey Hospital
- Epsom Hospital
- Frimley Park Hospital
South West London:
- St Georges Hospital (tertiary PICU and NICU)
- Kingston Hospital
- St Heliers Hospital
- Croydon University Trust Hospital
**Please see full Job description attached **
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Title:Clinical fellow in Paediatric Palliative Medicine
Team:Symptom and Community Service
Group:SPACE Team (Specialist paediatric palliative care team)
Reports to:Consultant in Paediatric Palliative Medicine
Hours:40 hours per week
Level and salary:NHS ST3-ST8 £55,329 to £63,152 plus PATCH (Paediatric Palliative Care Service) oncall payment
Location:Christophers, Guildford, Royal Marsden Hospital and St Georges Hospital
Shooting Star Children hospices organisation
The Hospice Trustee Board comprises of an independent chair, Mr Andrew Coppell CBE and nine non-executive directors (trustees) who come from a variety of backgrounds including three with clinical experience. It is also attended by the CEO, seven executive directors (Director of Finance, Director of Care, Director of Strategy and Partnerships, Director of People and Culture, Director of Fundraising, Executive Vice President and Director of Marketing and Digital), and the Medical Director.
The Shooting Star Childrens Hospices care clinical services are divided into three areas:
- Hospice In-patient services
- Symptom and Community services
- Family Support and Psychosocial services
The SPACE team is part of the Symptom and Community service. Both teams in this service have a nurse team lead, and the Nurse consultant is the current manager for both the SPACE and community team leads. The Medical Director and Director of Care work together to support the hospice clinical service. The current Medical Director also works in the SPACE team as a Consultant in Paediatric Palliative Medicine.
Business Strategy
SSCH is a charity funded organisation. It has funded, through sole charity means, the regional specialist paediatric palliative care service (SPACE team) for more than a decade. In 2020, SSCH in collaboration with Southwest London and Surrey Heartlands CCGs were successful in obtaining NHSE match funding with incremental funding for a four-year period to fund the regional specialist service. It will seek continual funding from Surrey and Southwest London ICBs with some ongoing additional hospice charity support. The SPACE team seeks to address Specialist paediatric palliative care within the National NHSE Service Specification for Paediatric Palliative and End of life care within the region.
Hospitals within the SPACE team catchment area
Surrey Heartland:
- St Peters Hospital (tertiary NICU)
- Royal Surrey Hospital
- Epsom Hospital
- Frimley Park Hospital
South West London:
- St Georges Hospital (tertiary PICU and NICU)
- Kingston Hospital
- St Heliers Hospital
- Croydon University Trust Hospital
**Please see full Job description attached **
Person Specification
Clinical Skills
Essential
- Some experience of clinical risk management
-
- Able to work without direct
- supervision where appropriate
-
- Clear, logical thinking showing an analytical/scientific approach
Desirable
- Experience and confidence
- in clinical risk management
Qualifications
Essential
- Eligible for registration with the
- GMC
- MB BS (or equivalent)
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- A minimum of 2 years as
- Paediatric ST2-3 equivalent posts
- of which 1 year in
- UK/Ireland
-
- Overseas posts must be in recognised training posts in country of origin as vetted by the Higher Specialist Training Office at the RCPCH evidence to be submitted with application form. Overseas trainees need to have written references that their jobs are approved by the national training programme / college
- OOPE applicants will need a written reference that states agreement from the Deanery for release from training for the post
Desirable
- Some experience in Paediatric Subspecialties with close Palliative care links e.g. neuro-disability,
- PICU, Neurology, metabolic, oncology
Knowledge
Essential
- Appropriate level of clinical
- knowledge
-
- Shows knowledge of evidence informed practice
-
- Shows awareness of own
- limitations
Desirable
- Demonstrates breadth of
- experience and awareness in specialty
- Demonstrates use of evidence-informed practice
Person Specification
Clinical Skills
Essential
- Some experience of clinical risk management
-
- Able to work without direct
- supervision where appropriate
-
- Clear, logical thinking showing an analytical/scientific approach
Desirable
- Experience and confidence
- in clinical risk management
Qualifications
Essential
- Eligible for registration with the
- GMC
- MB BS (or equivalent)
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- A minimum of 2 years as
- Paediatric ST2-3 equivalent posts
- of which 1 year in
- UK/Ireland
-
- Overseas posts must be in recognised training posts in country of origin as vetted by the Higher Specialist Training Office at the RCPCH evidence to be submitted with application form. Overseas trainees need to have written references that their jobs are approved by the national training programme / college
- OOPE applicants will need a written reference that states agreement from the Deanery for release from training for the post
Desirable
- Some experience in Paediatric Subspecialties with close Palliative care links e.g. neuro-disability,
- PICU, Neurology, metabolic, oncology
Knowledge
Essential
- Appropriate level of clinical
- knowledge
-
- Shows knowledge of evidence informed practice
-
- Shows awareness of own
- limitations
Desirable
- Demonstrates breadth of
- experience and awareness in specialty
- Demonstrates use of evidence-informed practice
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).
Additional information
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).
