Specialty Doctor in Palliative Medicine

Job responsibilities

As part of Palliative Care Multi-Disciplinary Team, the post holder will deliver high quality professional care to patients and relatives within the Hospice and Community as needed. You will work closely with the Clinical Team to ensure we offer the highest standards of care, developing services to meet the changing needs of our patients.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities

To work with the Consultants in Palliative Medicine to deliver high quality palliative care.

Undertake medical assessment, diagnosis and management of patients in hospice / community.

Initiate appropriate medical care and prescribe appropriately in line with policies and guidelines.

Assess new planned and emergency admission patients and work with MDT to initiate appropriate investigations and treatment.

Any other medical duties in emergency situations.

Communication with patients relatives and carers regarding clinical condition and management plan. To be involved in family meetings as required.

To work as part of the MDT and communicate clearly with colleagues. To attend weekly Specialist Palliative Care MDT meeting.

Communicate unexpected changes in patients condition to Consultant in charge and, when required, to on call medical staff.

To generate a weekend handover medical report at end of week.

Participate in the St Michaels 1/5 non-resident first on-call rota on call rota with on-call consultant support.

Record clinical notes in a timely and accurate fashion.

Review and update drug records, working with the Pharmacist. Completion of TTO prescriptions and patient-held drug record cards.

Completion of death certificates and cremation certificates when required.

Co-ordinate with referrers and other healthcare professionals to ensure continuity of care.

Provide advice and teaching to members of the MDT and visiting professionals.

Participate in education events, in particular medical events.

To meet requirements of appropriate Royal College for CPD with involvement in CPD appropriate to speciality: Keeping up to date with medical developments, new drugs, treatments and medications, including complementary medicine relevant to palliative care.

Participate in annual appraisal and job plan review and revalidation process.

Personal and professional development

The post-holder will be required to keep himself/herself fully up-to date in their relevant area of practice and to be able to demonstrate this to the satisfaction of the Royal College of Physicians and the GMC. The post-holder will receive an annual appraisal by a Consultant in Palliative medicine as required by the GMC and fulfil the requirements necessary for Revalidation. Professional or study leave will be granted at the discretion of St. Michaels Hospice, in line with the prevailing Terms and Conditions of Service, to support appropriate study, postgraduate training activities, relevant CPD courses and other appropriate personal development needs. Support and guidance is available on site from the Consultant and colleagues, and through involvement in the training and development of clinical staff, the post holder will gain personal development opportunities. Regular clinical supervision will be provided.

Proposed job plan

Work sessions are based on P.A.s of 4hrs. The job plan will be reviewed regularly to ensure it still meets the need of both the service and the post holder. There is overlap between medical staff to ensure continuity of care and effective communication. A Consultant is always available for advice and support, in addition to regular patient rounds. The role will provide the post holder opportunities to work in the hospice, the community and in the hospital to gain experience of palliative medicine across a range of settings.

This is an outline job description and may be subject to change, according to the needs of the service, in consultation with the post holder.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

am

Hospice IPU

MDT

Hospice IPU

SPA

Hospice IPU

pm

Hospice IPU

Hospice IPU

Community

Community

Hospice IPU

Clinical governance

The post-holder will be expected to participate actively in clinical governance activities, including clinical audit, educational activities and quality improvement activities.

General Responsibilities

Work to maintain the values, vision and aims of St. Michaels Hospice.

Additional Duties In discussion with the line manager undertake work, as and when required, in support of St. Michaels Hospice as an organisation.

Public Relations Represent St. Michaels Hospice in the community and public domain as appropriate.

Undertake all statutory and mandatory training, as required.

Be conversant with and adhere to St. Michaels Hospice Policies and Procedures.

This is an outline job description and may be subject to change, according to the needs of the service, in consultation with the post holder.

Take responsibility for own personal safety and of others whilst at work. You will take appropriate action or report any concerns to address any health and safety issues that you or members of your team may be aware of.

This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time, due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.

Qualifications

Essential

• MBBS or equivalent

Desirable

• Higher degree
• Diploma/MSc in Palliative Medicine

Experience

Essential

• At least two years post graduate experience, meeting Foundation 2 competencies or equivalent
• Background in General Practice or hospital medicine
• Experience of working with people who have life limiting illnesses.
• Working in a multi-professional team.

Desirable

• Experience of working within palliative medicine
• Experience within Oncology
• Experience in teaching

Skills, Knowledge, Abilities

Essential

• Evidence of an ability to communicate effectively and empathetically with patients, colleagues and staff at all levels
• Works in partnership with patients and practices shared decision making.
• The ability to work as part of a team, works well in MDT
• Able to prioritize patients according to their clinical needs.
• Good written and spoken English
• IT proficient
• Experience of audit
• Knowledge of the
• organisation of the NHS
• and the Governments
• agenda cancer, long term conditions and EOL Strategy and Quality markers
• IV cannulation

Desirable

• Advanced communications skills
• Teaching skills and training in teaching methods
• Experience of research
• Paracentesis, Pleural drainage, acupuncture, nerve blocks

Attitude, Aptitudes, Personal Characteristics

Essential

• Interest in palliative medicine
• Displays honesty and
• Integrity
• Self-motivated with good organisational and time management skills
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise well and mange work related stress; able to adapt to rapidly changing situations
• Demonstrate a non-judgmental
• approach towards others
• Recognise personal limitations and willing to receive support
• Demonstrates punctuality, preparation and self-discipline

Desirable

• Desire to pursue palliative medicine as specialty
• Managing complex issues of confidentiality and ethics
• Ability to motivate and lead others
• Able to challenge decisions

Other requirements

Essential

• Full Registration with the GMC with the requirement to maintain
• Experience of working in the UK National Health Service
• Eligibility to work in the UK
• Professional indemnity insurance
• Satisfactory DBS check

Desirable

• 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).