Resident Medical Officer

Job title: Resident Medical Officer (RMO)

Medical Services with a special interest in Oncology

Responsible to: Medical Director

Period of Appraisal: Annual

Hourly Rate: £60 per hour, either 12 hour or 24-hour shifts

The Oncology Service

Our oncology centre provides highly innovative treatment for patients with cancer. Through partnership with Genesis Care (our partners in radiotherapy), the post holder will have the opportunity to work with internationally renowned oncologists. A multidisciplinary approach is adopted to ensure best practice and to deliver the best treatment option for the individual patient.

The centre consists of a chemotherapy day unit, radiotherapy department and a 29-bedded inpatient ward (including 2 radioiodine suites) with close links to our palliative care service.

Our aim is to provide high quality treatment for cancer patients from the UK and abroad in line with best clinical practice and within a legal framework.

RMO -Services Responsibilities

To provide and coordinate care for clinical and medical oncology patients and those requiring acute medical care.

The post holder will be the first point of contact for consultants and nursing staff caring for oncology patients and any patient admitted to the Oncology Floor, including those within other medical specialties.

The post holder will work closely as a team with the other RMOs.

Adequate hand-over with RMOs is essential, particularly regarding those patients giving cause for concern at the end of shift.

The post holder will be expected to urgently assess acutely unwell patients in the chemotherapy day unit, and oncology ward, and be able to recognise the critically unwell patient and those patients who are nearing the end of their lives. All patients must been seen by a consultant or the RMO on a daily basis.

SHIFT PATTERN

Either a 24-hour shift starting at 08:00 and finishing at 08:00 the following morning. Calls overnight are filtered by the site lead to ensure adequate rest.

Or a 12-hour shift from 08:00 to 20:30 or from 20:00 to 08:30, with a half hour handover period morning and evening.

Oncology/ Acute Medical cover will be provided 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.

1. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will provide medical cover on the Oncology ward, Chemotherapy Day Unit and Radiotherapy Department at Cromwell Hospital during normal working hours and acute medical cover across the site out of hours, in line with the shifts outlined above.

Care will be given under the guidance of the Oncology Consultants and will extend to both in and outpatients, as necessary. The post holder must contact the Consultant in charge of the patient if there is any change to the patient’s condition or to agree any changes to the management plan.

1.3 The post holder will participate in consultant ward rounds, and will carefully document the clinical history and examination findings, blood test and imaging results, discussions with patients and relatives, and clinical management plan and ensure that the management plan for the patient is implemented. Notes will be made daily and contemporaneously.

1.4 The post holder will review any clinical / medical oncology patient who is acutely unwell across the site.

1.5 The post holder will work with the existing RMOs to ensure continuity of care to patients and work closely to support the Consultants and nursing staff.

1.6 The post holder will work closely with the Consultant Pharmacist to support the prescribing of chemotherapy.

1.7 The post holder will support safe discharge planning and ensure that any paperwork is completed, communication with the patient and family is robust and that medication to take away (TTAs) are completed in good time.

2. CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1 The post holder will be required to assess, clerk and inform the Consultant of any emergency admission during their period of duty.

2.2 The post holder will ensure adequate handover of the patients to the incoming RMO at the end of their shift.

2.3 The post holder will take blood samples and administer intravenous fluids and medications, as required.

2.4 The post holder will prescribe the patient’s medication, including the prescription of controlled analgesia and ensure the medication chart is kept updated.

2.5 The post holder will complete the patient’s VTE assessment on admission and prescribe prophylaxis as appropriate.

2.6 The post holder will administer intravenous contrast media in the Radiology Department on those occasions when the Consultant is not available.

2.7 The post holder will be sensitive to the cultural needs of the patients and their families, respecting their views.

3. NON-CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1 The post holder will assist in providing effective and efficient utilisation of hospital beds by co-ordinating patient’s care.

3.2 The post holder will liaise effectively with administrative, medical and nursing staff to facilitate prompt management and d