Locum Consultant in Palliative Medicine in Dorchester

Weldmar Hospicecare is seeking a Locum Consultant in Palliative Medicine to join our established, compassionate and forward-thinking team. This is an opportunity to practise high-quality, patient-centred care in an environment where time, continuity of care and multidisciplinary working are genuinely valued. Set in beautiful Dorset, with its stunning Jurassic Coast, picturesque villages and vibrant local towns, Weldmar offers an exceptional place to live and work. The role is primarily based at our 12-bedded Inpatient Unit, caring for patients with complex palliative care needs. You will also provide specialist medical support to our Specialist Hospice at Home teams, delivering care to patients in the community.

Main duties of the job

• Provide senior clinical leadership within the inpatient unit
• Deliver expert symptom control and holistic care for patients and those important to them
• Support and develop the wider multidisciplinary team
• Participate in clinical governance, education and service improvement
• Work collaboratively across hospice, community and hospital interfaces

About us

Weldmar Hospicecare provides specialist care for adults in Dorset who have a life limiting illness, and support for their loved ones. We are dedicated to fostering a culture of equality, diversity, and inclusion across all aspects of our organisation.

Job responsibilities

• Make complex clinical decisions and provide senior medical leadership in situations of uncertainty, including prognosis, treatment escalation and end-of-life decision-making.
• Undertake complex and sensitive holistic care assessments and plan, implement and evaluate care utilising advanced communication skills.
• Ensure accurate and timely clinical documentation in line with organisational requirements.
• Identify areas for improvement and development which will enhance the palliative care provision for patients and carers.
• Work with the other clinical leads within the hospice in undertaking service improvements as identified.
• Provide clinical leadership for the Medical and ANP Team in the absence of the Lead Consultant.
• Actively promote and develop evidence based clinical practice.
• Help to create a culture that is respectful, fair, supportive, and compassionate by role modelling behaviours consistent with these values.
• Undertake consultant rounds and attend MDT Meetings.
• Provision of outpatient clinics when appropriate at Weldmar Hospicecare IPU.
• Undertake domiciliary visits for advice and assessments.
• On call commitment: the post holder will be part of the on-call rota providing support to those cared for by Weldmar Hospicecare and providing specialist palliative care advice to other healthcare professionals in the catchment area.
• Assist with the recruitment of new doctors and senior nurse posts.
• Participate in annual appraisal, revalidation and continuing professional development in line with GMC requirements.
• Act as Clinical Supervisor for GP trainees.
• Contribute to the Patient Services Risk Register.

Leadership and Strategy

• Provide clinical leadership in partnership with the Director of Clinical Services and the Lead Consultant around service developments, clinical governance and review of policies and procedures.
• Take an active role in the planning, development, and delivery of organisational strategy and services to achieve service objectives and continuous improvement of wider specialist palliative care services.
• Provide professional leadership, vision and direction for the medical and ANP team.
• Contribute to the effective management, supervision and professional development of the medical/ANP team.
• Ensure medical trainees on placement at the IPU receive appropriate support and supervision.
• Contribute to the leadership of clinical audit and research activity within the hospice, including identifying priorities, contributing to delivery where appropriate, and ensuring findings are used to improve patient care.
• Support a culture of enquiry and evidence-based practice within the clinical team.
• Attend the Clinical Leadership Group in the absence of the Lead Consultant.
• Contribute to the review and authorship of clinical policies.
• Maintain close working links with Supportive Care UK for the provision of second on call support when required.

Teaching & Education

• Be competent in delivering education and training sessions at all levels for a variety of stakeholders, patients and their carers.
• With the Learning & Development team, identify training needs of the clinical teams and participate in the wider hospice education programme.
• Participate in the development of clinical standards within the total quality audit framework of the Hospice and undertake clinical audit activity as required.
• Support the ongoing professional development of the ANPs and the development of the trainee ANP.
• Provide teaching to GP trainees, medical students, doctors and other healthcare workers on placement at Weldmar.

Person Specification

Experience

• Significant experience in Palliative Medicine.
• Proven leadership experience.
• Experience of working in and relating to the complex and political external environment of health and social care.
• Experience in being on call and providing specialist palliative care telephone advice out of hours at senior level.
• Experience of working within a multi-professional team.
• Significant experience of effectively managing patients with complex physical, psychological and social needs.
• Experience of teaching in a variety of settings and to different trainees, and be willing to teach others as part of the role.

Qualifications

• Full GMC registration, have a higher postgraduate qualification e.g. MRCP/MRCGP, and be entered on the GMC specialist register in Palliative Medicine.
• Be on GMC Specialist Register in Palliative Medicine or due to complete Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training within 6 months.
• Understanding of clinical governance structures and audit processes.
• Excellent understanding of communication skills to both patients and colleagues, as well as principles of clinical leadership.

Skills and Abilities

• Highly advanced communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to gain confidence and trust.
• Commitment to the development of others, with the ability to influence and motivate.
• Excellent team working skills, including ability to work effectively with a diverse range of colleagues / individuals involved in palliative care service delivery and demonstrate positive outcomes for patients.
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and being a good team player is essential.
• Ability to think creatively and contribute to strategic development.
• Ability to plan and develop services in collaboration with other agencies.
• Ability to work autonomously, cope under pressure and to recognise and deal with stress in self and others.
• Forward thinking and able to engage and motivate others in leading, managing and responding to change.
• Able to translate national policy into local practice and understand its impact.
• Able to influence local health and social care and maintain Weldmar's reputation as a key player.
• Awareness of own limitations.
• Ability to respond to change.
• Understanding of and adherence to the principles of Good Medical Practice set out by the General Medical Council.

Other Requirements

• An Enhanced plus Adult barred list Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check: which will disclose any spent and unspent convictions and cautions (subject to filtering), as well as any relevant police information plus a check of the relevant Barred List/s.
• Commitment to the values and ethos of Weldmar Hospicecare.
• Act as an advocate and ambassador for the Charity.
• Commitment to and understanding of equality and diversity and how this translates into good practice.
• Understands and conforms to Weldmar Hospicecare infection prevention and health and safety policies and actively promotes best practice at all times.
• Commitment to own continued personal development.
• Ability to travel which requires a full valid driving licence and business insurance (if applicable).

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.