Job summary
Willowbrook Hospice is seeking a
Specialty Grade Doctor to join our medical team. This post will commence on or
after 7th November 2025.
The post is for 2 sessions per week (Tuesday) with additional on-call weeknights and weekends
with an indicative frequency of 1:6. This may vary between 1:4-1:8 depending
upon rota requirements.
This is a great opportunity for the
successful candidate to join a Consultant led service that was rated
Outstanding by CQC in 2020.
Willowbrook Hospice is CQC registered
for 10 beds and provides Specialist Palliative Care via an Inpatient Unit, Outpatient
Service (including daily hot clinic) and Outreach Service offering a variety
of therapies and bereavement support.
We have a strong and supportive
multidisciplinary team in the Inpatient Unit and work closely with the team of doctors
and Clinical Nurse Specialists in the Community. Whilst this role is primarily
to support the Inpatient Unit, there may be opportunities to see patients in
the community alongside the Community Specialist Palliative Care Team and
conduct outpatient reviews.
The Hospice trains undergraduate medical
students and nurses and has Specialist Registrars and GP Registrars on
attachment. The post holder will contribute to teaching, training, audit, and
research projects.
The successful candidate should have 4
years postgraduate experience, 2 of which should be in palliative care or a related
specialty e.g. General Practice.
Visits to the Hospice are encouraged.
Main duties of the job
Work
as a valuable member of the multi-professional team providing medical services
to patients across all clinical service areas. The role is primarily for the
inpatient unit, but all doctors work flexibly and may be required to assess or
review patients in the community, outpatient clinics or Outreach Service under
the supervision of a senior doctor.
To
provide clinical leadership within the multi-disciplinary team under the
supervision of the consultant
To
ensure senior medical staff are kept closely informed to ensure continuity of
care and good communication
To
participate in the delivery of education to primary care, undergraduates, post-
graduates, nursing staff and other healthcare professionals
To
participate in the out-of-hours on-call rota which includes weekday evenings, weekends,
and Bank Holidays
About us
Willowbrook
Hospice is an independent charitable organisation providing specialist
palliative care for the population of St Helens and Knowsley. It provides
complex symptom control, psychological, social, and spiritual support for
patients and their families/carers.
Willowbrook
Hospice co-ordinates a 24-Hour Specialist Palliative Care Telephone Advice Line
for health care professionals working in Halton, St Helens and Knowsley.
The
Specialist Palliative Care Service for St Helens and Knowsley comprises of the
Hospice, Community and Hospital teams. The teams work together through an
integrated MDT which meets via daily information sharing Huddles. The
Community and Hospital teams provide a 9-5, 7
day per week service.
The
service participates in training for junior doctors and has one Specialty
Registrar in Palliative Medicine and 2 WTE GP registrars. Medical students from
the University of Liverpool attend placements at the Hospice throughout the
year.
Secretarial
support is provided by the Medical Administrative Team located in the Hospice.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Working alongside
clinical colleagues (in the in-patient unit or community) and under the
supervision of a senior medic, contribute to the clinical management of
patients including initial assessment and review.
Work closely with and
respect roles and skills of all members of the multi professional team.
Attend the daily
multi-disciplinary team meetings or cross setting clinical huddle meeting if
required.
Liaise with other
health care professionals e.g. GPs where appropriate in providing and
planning for care of the patient.
Maintain accurate, comprehensive,
and contemporaneous medical and multi professional records within the
appropriate electronic patient record.
Meet with families
and carers as required
Contribute
to the clinical supervision and training of junior medical staff
Be
resident on site during day sessions and within 30 minutes response time
during out of hours on call.
Conduct
a daily ward round when on call at the weekend and accept admissions where
that is appropriate as agreed with senior on call.
Working alongside clinical colleagues (in the inpatient unit or community) and under the supervision of a senior medic contribute to the clinical management of patients including initial assessment and review.
Work closely with and respect roles and skills of all members of the multi professional team.
Attend the daily multi-disciplinary team meetings or cross setting clinical huddle meeting if required.
Provide
clinical advice by telephone to other healthcare professionals via the
24-Hour Specialist Palliative Care Telephone Advice Line.
Participate
in the first on call rota for Willowbrook Hospice for this role it is
anticipated that this would be 1:4 to 1:8 depending upon the requirements of
the service and number of clinicians contributing.
To take an active
part in the Integrated Specialist Palliative Care Service Education Programme.
To maintain and
develop skills in Palliative Medicine by participating in CME and maintaining
an appropriate portfolio of evidence.
To maintain CPD.
Share skills and
knowledge with others to assist in their professional development.
Contribute to the
teaching of undergraduate medical students and junior doctors.
Undertake annual
appraisal with a designated appraiser and meet requirements for 5-yearly
revalidation with the GMC.
Attend
and complete Hospice mandatory training and job specific compulsory training
on an annual basis.
Take an active part
in hospice audit.
Encourage and support
approved research projects.
Act as a core member
of the Integrated Specialist Palliative Care MDT for St Helens and
Knowsley.
Co-operate with staff
and management in contributing to the responsible and efficient running of
services.
Assisting in ensuring
that clinical administration is kept up to date.
Participating in hospice and community meetings where appropriate.
Covering of medical colleagues where possible during periods of absence.
Adhere to clinical and management governance policies and procedures.
Follow all applicable rules and procedures relating to health and safety and universal precautions.
Be aware of obligations and statutory rights with regard to disciplinary and grievance procedures.
Undertake other duties which are clinically appropriate and agreed in advance.
Complete mandatory training where it is appropriate to the role in both settings.
Maintain full registration with General Medical Council
Maintain fully subscribed membership of a recognised medical defence organisation.
Maintain business car insurance.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Working alongside
clinical colleagues (in the in-patient unit or community) and under the
supervision of a senior medic, contribute to the clinical management of
patients including initial assessment and review.
Work closely with and
respect roles and skills of all members of the multi professional team.
Attend the daily
multi-disciplinary team meetings or cross setting clinical huddle meeting if
required.
Liaise with other
health care professionals e.g. GPs where appropriate in providing and
planning for care of the patient.
Maintain accurate, comprehensive,
and contemporaneous medical and multi professional records within the
appropriate electronic patient record.
Meet with families
and carers as required
Contribute
to the clinical supervision and training of junior medical staff
Be
resident on site during day sessions and within 30 minutes response time
during out of hours on call.
Conduct
a daily ward round when on call at the weekend and accept admissions where
that is appropriate as agreed with senior on call.
Working alongside clinical colleagues (in the inpatient unit or community) and under the supervision of a senior medic contribute to the clinical management of patients including initial assessment and review.
Work closely with and respect roles and skills of all members of the multi professional team.
Attend the daily multi-disciplinary team meetings or cross setting clinical huddle meeting if required.
Provide
clinical advice by telephone to other healthcare professionals via the
24-Hour Specialist Palliative Care Telephone Advice Line.
Participate
in the first on call rota for Willowbrook Hospice for this role it is
anticipated that this would be 1:4 to 1:8 depending upon the requirements of
the service and number of clinicians contributing.
To take an active
part in the Integrated Specialist Palliative Care Service Education Programme.
To maintain and
develop skills in Palliative Medicine by participating in CME and maintaining
an appropriate portfolio of evidence.
To maintain CPD.
Share skills and
knowledge with others to assist in their professional development.
Contribute to the
teaching of undergraduate medical students and junior doctors.
Undertake annual
appraisal with a designated appraiser and meet requirements for 5-yearly
revalidation with the GMC.
Attend
and complete Hospice mandatory training and job specific compulsory training
on an annual basis.
Take an active part
in hospice audit.
Encourage and support
approved research projects.
Act as a core member
of the Integrated Specialist Palliative Care MDT for St Helens and
Knowsley.
Co-operate with staff
and management in contributing to the responsible and efficient running of
services.
Assisting in ensuring
that clinical administration is kept up to date.
Participating in hospice and community meetings where appropriate.
Covering of medical colleagues where possible during periods of absence.
Adhere to clinical and management governance policies and procedures.
Follow all applicable rules and procedures relating to health and safety and universal precautions.
Be aware of obligations and statutory rights with regard to disciplinary and grievance procedures.
Undertake other duties which are clinically appropriate and agreed in advance.
Complete mandatory training where it is appropriate to the role in both settings.
Maintain full registration with General Medical Council
Maintain fully subscribed membership of a recognised medical defence organisation.
Maintain business car insurance.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Full GMC registration with a licence to practice
- MBBS or equivalent
- At least 4 years training / experience of managing medical patients in primary or secondary care at postgraduate level
Desirable
- Diploma or MSC Palliative Care
- MRCP / MRCGP or equivalent
- Teaching qualification
- Advanced Communication Skills Training
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a hospice or palliative care in another setting
- Experience of working in community-based services
Desirable
- Experience in oncology
- Evidence of team working
- Experience of teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Communication skills, clear, fluent and articulate in communication in English (verbal and written)
- Evidence of understanding of importance of research and critical appraisal of evidence
- Evidence of effective and sustained contribution to clinical governance, clinical risk management and clinical audit activities
- Capacity to be alert to dangers or problems
- Demonstrates awareness of good decision making
- Track record of engaging in clinical governance, reporting errors, learning from errors
- IT skills: Ability to use word processor, spreadsheet programme and web browser
Desirable
- Proven ability to communicate in written form (publications, reports etc.)
- Track record of ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team
- Peer reviewed publications
- Involvement in service development
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Ability to recognise stress in oneself and a team member
- The ability to communicate with clarity & intelligibility in written & spoken English
- Interpersonal skills so that he/she can see patients as people, empathise, work co-operatively with others, open and non-defensive, sense of humour
- Uses a non-judgemental approach to patients and colleagues (regardless of their sexuality, ethnicity, disability, religious beliefs or financial status)
- Ability to cope constructively with stress and conflict in the workplace
- Teaching experience
- Probity: (displays honesty, integrity, aware of ethical dilemmas)
- Meets professional health requirements
- Car driver with current UK license
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Full GMC registration with a licence to practice
- MBBS or equivalent
- At least 4 years training / experience of managing medical patients in primary or secondary care at postgraduate level
Desirable
- Diploma or MSC Palliative Care
- MRCP / MRCGP or equivalent
- Teaching qualification
- Advanced Communication Skills Training
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a hospice or palliative care in another setting
- Experience of working in community-based services
Desirable
- Experience in oncology
- Evidence of team working
- Experience of teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Communication skills, clear, fluent and articulate in communication in English (verbal and written)
- Evidence of understanding of importance of research and critical appraisal of evidence
- Evidence of effective and sustained contribution to clinical governance, clinical risk management and clinical audit activities
- Capacity to be alert to dangers or problems
- Demonstrates awareness of good decision making
- Track record of engaging in clinical governance, reporting errors, learning from errors
- IT skills: Ability to use word processor, spreadsheet programme and web browser
Desirable
- Proven ability to communicate in written form (publications, reports etc.)
- Track record of ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team
- Peer reviewed publications
- Involvement in service development
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Ability to recognise stress in oneself and a team member
- The ability to communicate with clarity & intelligibility in written & spoken English
- Interpersonal skills so that he/she can see patients as people, empathise, work co-operatively with others, open and non-defensive, sense of humour
- Uses a non-judgemental approach to patients and colleagues (regardless of their sexuality, ethnicity, disability, religious beliefs or financial status)
- Ability to cope constructively with stress and conflict in the workplace
- Teaching experience
- Probity: (displays honesty, integrity, aware of ethical dilemmas)
- Meets professional health requirements
- Car driver with current UK license
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).
