Consultant in Palliative Medicine

Job responsibilities

Professional

Medical

- To jointly lead and manage medical services and matters throughout the hospice and its community outreach services with the Medical Director.

- Work with the wider clinical multi-disciplinary team to deliver high quality care that meet the holistic needs of the patient and those close to them.

- Be responsible for ensuring measurable high standards of evidence-based care are achieved and maintained.

- Take a strategic and operational clinical role in the commissioning of new services or initiatives.

- Develop, revise, review and implement medical and other operational policies and procedures in line with best practice.

- Ensure all patient documentation is clear, accurate and legal.

- Facilitate the professional development of the clinical team by encouraging a multi -disciplinary approach to care.

- To monitor staff performance, absence and practice addressing any issues in accordance with Hospice policy and procedures and professional codes of practice.

- Undertake Performance Reviews with medical staff.

- Provide support and guidance to other professionals.

- Work closely with and maintain good relations with external organisations e.g. YTHNHSFT, PCN leads, Pharmacies, Coroners Officers.

Strategy and Governance

- Provide advice to the Medical Director and Chief Executive on all medical matters including changes in regulation, law or practice.

- Contribute to and where necessary lead on the strategic direction of the Hospice and the wider locality.

- To act as a professional lead on medical issues.

- Assist in the investigation of complaints or incidents.

- Work closely with the Medical Director and Director of Clinical Services on joint areas such as risk, service improvement and development, infection prevention, standard setting, clinical governance, peer review, quality, and audit.

- To be responsible for producing, implementing, and auditing policies and procedures relating to clinical care and any other regulations in accordance with the Care Quality Commission.

- To participate and report on audit, monitoring and service evaluation activities of the hospice, or across organisations.

- Devise, implement and evaluate quality control and audit measures to ensure the delivery of high-quality patient care.

- Act as a spokesperson for the hospice on medical issues or give specific information to the Head of Fundraising when requested to do so by the Medical Director or Chief Executive.

Operational Management

-Assist in the management and supervision of all medical staff and students on placement

- Oversee and review medical service level agreements.

- Work closely with the Medical Director and Director of Clinical Services and others in the clinical team to promote good working relationships across all clinical areas.

- Establish links and work proactively with external organisations.

- Ensure excellent communication is maintained within and external to, the hospice.

On Call

- -To assist in the overview and monitoring of the hospice 1st On Call arrangements.

- -Participate in the current 2nd On Call Consultant cover rota (currently 1 week in 14).

- -To provide cover in an emergency at 1st or 2nd level.

Education & Development

- To maintain personal and professional development. The postholder will be expected to register with their respective Royal College for the purpose of CPD and to fulfil the requirements of that registration. The hospice is committed to providing time and financial support for these activities.

- To actively engage in the GMCs annual appraisal and 5-yearly revalidation process. St Leonards Hospice is a Designated Body that utilises the external Responsible Officer services of York Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

- To take a significant role in the education and training of a wide range of professionals in different care settings.

- Act as a Designated Medical Prescriber to supervise and support Clinical Nurse Specialists and Advanced Clinical Practitioners in training and practicing as a Non-Medical Prescriber.

- To work closely with the Medical Director and Director of Clinical Services and other staff on the internal and external teaching programmes.

- Facilitate, devise, lead and teach as required on internal and external courses.

- Work collaboratively with key external education providers.

- Encourage high quality research clinical practice and research awareness within the Hospice in accordance with the Hospice Research Policy.

- Assist on research projects approved by the hospice.

- Develop external links with other providers to establish training needs which the hospice could support and develop curricula for.

Other

- Attend all mandatory training or courses.

- To attend any training or development required by the Hospice.

- To read and understand all Hospice policies and procedures.

- To participate in the Annual Performance Review.

- To positively promote, support and represent the Hospice especially within the community, and to maintain the philosophy, ethos and ambience.

-To be aware of personal responsibilities as defined by the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974

- To maintain strict confidentiality in all matters relating to the Hospice, its business, patients, and others.

- To undertake any other tasks, duties or responsibilities as required by the Chief Executive or Senior Management Team.

This Job Profile is an outline of responsibilities and will be subject to review with the postholder in light of the changing needs of the post and Hospice.

Qualifications

Essential

• Full GMC Registration
• Medical Degree
• MRCP or equivalent higher qualification
• Specialist Registration with the GMC in Palliative Medicine or within 6 months of CCT/CESR in Palliative Medicine on date of interview
• Permission to reside & work in the UK

Desirable

• Higher Academic qualification
• Substantive NHS or hospice experience

Experience & Skills

Essential

• Knowledge & experience in Palliative Medicine and application to Hospice, Acute and Community settings
• Knowledge of Good Medical Practice and the General Medical Council requirements
• Patient Focused
• Excellent knowledge of pain & symptom control

Desirable

• Working in an independent Hospice setting
• Sub-specialist interest in e.g., Acute Medicine/ Oncology/Psychiatry/Long term conditions/ Research and Education

Leadership

Essential

• Is able and willing to take on a leadership role
• Capable of building trust and confidence
• Strategic thinker
• Enquiring, critical approach to work
• Willingness to undertake additional professional responsibilities to local, regional, or national levels
• Ability to organise and manage department targets
• Ability to contribute to change management agenda and take a leading role

Desirable

• Experience of leading a medical team

Education, Research, Governance & Service Development

Essential

• Effective teaching, presentation, and delivery skills
• Committed to the provision of good quality end of life education to a wide audience
• Working with partners in the delivery of high-quality education
• Ability to critically review research
• Good understanding of governance including clinical governance, audit, quality accounts, statutory bodies, and performance measures
• Experience of initiating and conducting clinical audit or quality improvement projects
• Commitment to using audit, outcome measures and service evaluations as tools to improve patient care

Desirable

• Devising, leading, and presenting education as part of a team
• Experience of teaching clinical skills to undergraduates
• Experience of teaching advanced communication skills to GPs and consultants
• Understanding of reporting systems and regulatory bodies
• Experience of participating in research and understanding methodology
• Published research

Communication

Essential

• Proven interpersonal skills
• Ability to be sensitive and empathetic
• Proven verbal and written skills
• Able to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team

Desirable

• Attendance at an Advanced Communication Skills course

Personal

Essential

• Team player
• Able to manage change effectively
• Sense of humour
• Enthusiasm
• Decisive and flexible
• Proven organisational skills
• Awareness and ability to cope with pressure
• Flexible to the changing needs of the post
• Commitment to personal development and medical education

Desirable

• N/A

IT

Essential

• IT Skills and use of MS Office software

Desirable

• Experience of Systm1 patient database

Other requirements

Essential

• Reside within 45 minutes travelling time of the Hospice and able to travel across locality
• Undertake On Call responsibility

Desirable

• N/A

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).