Specialty Doctor in Palliative Medicine in Chester

Aligned to the NHS Specialty Doctor Contract 2021, pro rata depending on experience and qualifications. Up to 24 hours available with an additional on-call commitment as part of a rota. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a suitably qualified and enthusiastic Specialty Doctor in Palliative Medicine to join our team at the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, a busy, multidisciplinary specialist palliative care unit in Chester.

Main duties of the job:

• You will make a vital contribution to the care of patients and those important to them, working as part of the multidisciplinary team (including five other Specialty Doctors), with senior medical oversight from a Consultant in Palliative Medicine, who also acts as the Responsible Clinician for the Hospice.
• The Hospice medical team provides first on-call out-of-hours cover, with second on-call remote support provided 24/7 by a team of Consultants in Palliative Medicine at Supportive Care UK (SCUK).
• Main responsibilities include medical care of patients on the inpatient unit, medical input into the Living Well Centre, communication with hospital and community colleagues and attendance at multidisciplinary meetings, as well as supporting clinical audit, research and clinical governance.
• We are committed to supporting staff professional development, with opportunities to participate in teaching and quality improvement activities.
• This is a unique opportunity for doctors in other specialties who wish to develop or enhance their palliative care knowledge and skills, as well as for doctors interested in pursuing a career in Palliative Medicine.

If you are interested in applying for this role you will have:

• Full GMC registration with a licence to practise
• A minimum of four years postgraduate experience, including at least two years in a relevant specialty
• A demonstrable interest in Palliative Medicine
• Experience of working effectively within a multidisciplinary team

About us:

The Hospice has a ten-bedded inpatient unit serving patients with complex palliative care needs and end-of-life care needs, and a Living Well Centre, which provides day therapy, short courses, complementary therapy, and family support services, including social work, counselling, and chaplaincy. Patients are referred with a wide range of malignant and non-malignant conditions, at various stages of illness. You will join a well-integrated multidisciplinary team comprising medical and nursing staff, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, chaplaincy, counselling staff, and complementary therapists. We work in close partnership with local providers, including the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP), with the Community Specialist Palliative Care team having a base at the Hospice.

We offer stimulating and rewarding opportunities in caring for people at some of the most challenging times of their lives. Our staff really do make a difference every single day and we welcome applications from passionate, committed, and flexible individuals who would welcome the chance to shape the future care delivered by the Hospice of the Good Shepherd.

If you would like an informal discussion about the post, please contact Dr Kate Davie, Consultant in Palliative Medicine (kate.davie@hospicegs.com), or Claire Royce, Director of Clinical Services (claire.royce@hospicegs.com).

Job responsibilities:

• Share responsibility for the day-to-day management of patients on the inpatient unit including initial assessment, management, planning and daily review.
• Participate in regular ward meetings to discuss the care of patients on the inpatient unit and those referred to the service.
• Participate in relevant clinical meetings as part of the wider multi-disciplinary team.
• Ensure close liaison with and support nursing staff and other members of the multi-professional team.
• Engage in supportive communication about disease and management with patients and those important to them.
• Participate in the non-resident on-call rota (currently 1 weekend in 5, 1 weekday night per week and usually 2 bank holidays per annum).
• Responsibilities include a ward round each day of the weekend and on bank holidays (currently 10am-2pm), followed by availability for telephone advice and face-to-face assessments at the hospice, if required.
• Contribute to the medical care of patients attending the Living Well Centre.
• Provide first on-call support out of hours for hospice inpatients.
• Liaise with the hospital palliative care team, GPs and the community palliative care team regarding patient care.
• Participate in the hospice and regional audit programmes, taking the lead on some projects.
• Contribute to all aspects of clinical governance including clinical incidents and complaints.

Administration Responsibilities:

• Maintain a high standard of record-keeping via the computerised medical notes.
• Correspond with GPs, Hospital Consultants and other relevant Health Care Professionals regarding patients who are under the care of the hospice.

Learning and Development Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the palliative care education programme for fourth-year medical students from the University of Liverpool who are placed at the hospice. This will include teaching and work-based assessments.
• Provide teaching, education, and training for Hospice Nurses and other Healthcare Professionals as required.
• Attendance at integrated education meetings and other relevant educational activities.
• Participation in the supervision and training of junior medical staff.
• Engage in annual appraisal and progress reviews with your line manager, agreeing organisational, departmental and personal objectives.
• Engage with the annual job planning cycle.
• Participate in continuous professional development as recommended by the Royal College of Physicians.
• Maintain active professional registration and a License to Practice with the General Medical Council.
• Act in accordance with hospice policies and procedures, General Medical Council Code of Professional Conduct and other guiding documentation.
• NB Study leave will be available and negotiated in line with service needs.

Terms and Conditions:

The contract for this post will be held by the Hospice of the Good Shepherd (in line with National SAS Contract 2021). NHS pay scales will be used and NHS pension scheme continued (if already a member) / or alternative Stakeholder Pension Scheme. The post holder will be fully registered with the GMC with a license to practice. The post holder will fulfil the requirements of annual GMC appraisal and hospice reviews. The post holder will be a fully subscribed member of a medical defense organisation.

Person Specification:

• Demonstrates empathy and sensitivity.
• Works well as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Flexible approach to work, able to adapt to deliver excellent patient care.
• Able to manage own time and cope with pressure.
• Promotes equality and values diversity.
• Commitment to ongoing learning and personal development.
• Occupational Health clearance.
• Enhanced Disclosure clearance from Criminal Records Bureau.

Experience:

• At least four years postgraduate training with at least two years in a relevant specialty.
• Ensuring patient safety and person-centered approach to care.
• Working to GMC standards in line with Good Medical Practice including good clinical care, maintaining good medical practice, good relationships and communication with patients and colleagues, good teaching and training, professional behaviour and probity.
• Postgraduate experience in Palliative Medicine.
• Evidence of participation in clinical audit.
• Evidence of participation in research or publications.
• Experience of teaching medical students or other health professionals.

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent effective communication skills with ability to communicate in written and spoken English.
• Able to medically assess patients and take clinical decisions.
• Know when to seek help and prioritise clinical need.
• Practical skills e.g., venipuncture, IV cannulation.
• Additional skills e.g., abdominal paracentesis or use of portable ultrasound.
• Ability to plan and undertake clinical audit and research.

Qualifications:

• Primary medical qualification.
• Diploma in Palliative Medicine or equivalent.
• Palliative Care courses or study days.

Knowledge:

• Clinical knowledge relevant to palliative care and general medicine.
• Medical knowledge up to date.
• Knowledge of principles of symptom management in palliative care.
• Knowledge of Clinical Governance.
• Sound knowledge of complex symptom control.
• Aware of relevant Network and National Guidelines relevant to Palliative Care.

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.