Job summary
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic Specialty Doctor to join our dynamic Palliative Care Team.
This is a permanent, part time post, working flexibly up to 7 PAs per week, up to 3 days per week, between Monday - Friday. Job share for this position may be considered.
There is no on call commitment required for this post.
The role is to provide clinical care for patients in one of our acute Hospitals, Musgrove Park.
Main duties of the job
The post provides an ideal opportunity for any clinician to develop their skills and knowledge in this field. There is an expectation that the post holder will specifically contribute to the educational program for medical students from Bristol and Peninsula Medical Schools, post graduate doctors in training and nursing and allied health professionals. You will also provide holistic medical support and continuity of care for patients alongside the clinical nurse specialist team and AHP's within the acute setting, under the supervision of our consultants
We seek a colleague to play a key role in the delivery of a visionary single palliative medicine service. The service serves a catchment population of approx. 430,000 which reflects the current St Margaret's Hospice footprint. There is an expectation of partnership working with other hospices, including Dorothy House and Weston Hospicecare in serving those respective populations. Patients are empowered earlier in their journey and are cared for in the place of their choice, where possible.
This is a great opportunity for a Specialty Doctor to join Somerset Foundation Trust and play an integral role in the delivery of services.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
- Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
- NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
- Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
- A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities:
To work with the Consultants and other MDT staff to see patients with Specialist Palliative and end of life care needs within MPH
Communicating with peers and seniors in referring specialties as needed for patient care
To encourage a holistic response to the care of patients and their families
Outpatient clinics as necessary to support earlier support for patients
Proactive participation in service development and quality improvement
Deliver supervision and education to medical students and postgraduate doctors in training, nursing and allied health professionals
To support Somerset End of Life individualised care planning
Audit and Quality Improvement:
The post holder will be involved in service development via direct and supervised audit activity. Alongside this they will participate in development using quality improvement methodology.
Palliative Care services within SFT
Within SFT there are two acute hospitals, Musgrove Park Hospital and Yeovil District Hospital (YDH) with Supportive and Palliative care teams acting as an advisory service. We provide specialist palliative care input to patients in all parts of the hospitals except paediatrics, and work with our colleagues across all medical and surgical directorates. MPH receives an average of 135 referrals per month, and 98% of these have an initial review within 48 hours.
The Palliative medicine service includes 6 Consultants one of whom is based permanently at MPH and one at YDH. Our other Consultants and Specialist Doctors are Community based working in close partnership with St Margaret's Somerset Hospice. The Medical team provide a shared 24/7 on-call telephone advice service in partnership with SMSH. There is no on call commitment with this post.
Education and Training in the Department
There is an expectation that the post holder will specifically contribute to the educational program for medical students from Bristol and Peninsula Medical Schools, post graduate doctors in training and nursing and allied health professionals.
We are committed to personal professional development and hold monthly whole team education/service development meetings. The post-holder will be encouraged to attend and participate in hospital Grand Rounds and to attend post-graduate meetings/training whenever possible. The hospital has an on-site healthcare library that provides health information and education, with document supply and literature searching services and information skills training. SFT has an in-house clinical supervision service, and the successful candidate will be supported in accessing this service if desired. The successful candidate will be encouraged and supported in their own continuous professional development to attend external courses and conferences of particular interest. The team will be keen to support the successful candidate to move towards the Specialist Doctor Contract when appropriate, if that is desired.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities:
To work with the Consultants and other MDT staff to see patients with Specialist Palliative and end of life care needs within MPH
Communicating with peers and seniors in referring specialties as needed for patient care
To encourage a holistic response to the care of patients and their families
Outpatient clinics as necessary to support earlier support for patients
Proactive participation in service development and quality improvement
Deliver supervision and education to medical students and postgraduate doctors in training, nursing and allied health professionals
To support Somerset End of Life individualised care planning
Audit and Quality Improvement:
The post holder will be involved in service development via direct and supervised audit activity. Alongside this they will participate in development using quality improvement methodology.
Palliative Care services within SFT
Within SFT there are two acute hospitals, Musgrove Park Hospital and Yeovil District Hospital (YDH) with Supportive and Palliative care teams acting as an advisory service. We provide specialist palliative care input to patients in all parts of the hospitals except paediatrics, and work with our colleagues across all medical and surgical directorates. MPH receives an average of 135 referrals per month, and 98% of these have an initial review within 48 hours.
The Palliative medicine service includes 6 Consultants one of whom is based permanently at MPH and one at YDH. Our other Consultants and Specialist Doctors are Community based working in close partnership with St Margaret's Somerset Hospice. The Medical team provide a shared 24/7 on-call telephone advice service in partnership with SMSH. There is no on call commitment with this post.
Education and Training in the Department
There is an expectation that the post holder will specifically contribute to the educational program for medical students from Bristol and Peninsula Medical Schools, post graduate doctors in training and nursing and allied health professionals.
We are committed to personal professional development and hold monthly whole team education/service development meetings. The post-holder will be encouraged to attend and participate in hospital Grand Rounds and to attend post-graduate meetings/training whenever possible. The hospital has an on-site healthcare library that provides health information and education, with document supply and literature searching services and information skills training. SFT has an in-house clinical supervision service, and the successful candidate will be supported in accessing this service if desired. The successful candidate will be encouraged and supported in their own continuous professional development to attend external courses and conferences of particular interest. The team will be keen to support the successful candidate to move towards the Specialist Doctor Contract when appropriate, if that is desired.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Medical Degree
- Full GMC registration with a licence to practice
Desirable
- Higher Medical Degree
- Diploma in Palliative Medicine
Experience
Essential
- Ability to offer clinical opinion on a range of problems in Palliative Medicine
- Knowledge / experience of primary care sector
- Ability to take full and independent responsibility for clinical care of patients.
- Knowledge of responsibilities of doctors as set out in Good Medical Practice
- Knowledge of Evidence Based Medicine and clinical effectiveness
- Experience of palliative medicine for patients with non-cancer conditions
- Sufficient leadership, organisational, communication, professional and personal skills
- Experience of managing own time to ensure deadlines are met
- Ability and willingness to work within the Trust and NHS performance framework and targets.
- Adequate IT skills for the role
- Experience of audit management and QI methodology
- Computing skills: ability to use word processor, spreadsheet and web browser applications
- Experience of applying principles of adult education or quality improvement
- Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical problems
Desirable
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Please see job description for full details of the essential person specifications required to undertake this role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Medical Degree
- Full GMC registration with a licence to practice
Desirable
- Higher Medical Degree
- Diploma in Palliative Medicine
Experience
Essential
- Ability to offer clinical opinion on a range of problems in Palliative Medicine
- Knowledge / experience of primary care sector
- Ability to take full and independent responsibility for clinical care of patients.
- Knowledge of responsibilities of doctors as set out in Good Medical Practice
- Knowledge of Evidence Based Medicine and clinical effectiveness
- Experience of palliative medicine for patients with non-cancer conditions
- Sufficient leadership, organisational, communication, professional and personal skills
- Experience of managing own time to ensure deadlines are met
- Ability and willingness to work within the Trust and NHS performance framework and targets.
- Adequate IT skills for the role
- Experience of audit management and QI methodology
- Computing skills: ability to use word processor, spreadsheet and web browser applications
- Experience of applying principles of adult education or quality improvement
- Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical problems
Desirable
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Please see job description for full details of the essential person specifications required to undertake this role.
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.
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
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.
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).
