Specialty Doctor or Clinical Fellow in Palliative Medicine

Job summary

Trinity Hospice and Palliative Care Service is a thriving independent charity based in the Fylde coast providing specialist palliative care for adults with advanced life-limiting illnesses and their families, as well as being the local provider of specialist palliative care for children via Brian House childrens hospice

This is an ideal opportunity for a doctor with a special interest in Palliative Medicine to join the hospice at an exciting time of growth. This post would suit a doctor wishing to gain experience, explore or pursue a career in Palliative Medicine, or a GP or physician looking to develop a portfolio career or change in direction. Previous post holders have been successful in applying for higher Specialist Training in Palliative Medicine.

We are looking for someone who is highly motivated, willing to learn and flexible in their approach to support our teams and patients across all arms of our services.

Main duties of the job

The Hospice serves the population of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre with excellent links with Blackpool Teaching Hospitals Trust offering an 18-bedded Adult In-patient Unit, Living Well Service, multi-disciplinary Outpatient Clinic, a Community Team which includes a Rapid Response service, Hospice at Home and Hospital Palliative Care Team. We have a large education and research department as well as adult and children counselling services and are a training unit for specialty trainees in palliative medicine, GP trainees and undergraduates from Liverpool Medical School. If a candidate is interested there are ample opportunities for research including applying for an honorary research contract and working with the Senior Lecturer in Palliative Medicine in the International Observatory on End of Life Care, Lancaster University.

The post would offer opportunities to gain experience rotating through our in-patient, community and hospital services and offers professional support through the SAS doctor development program for career progression.

A Specialty Doctor must have a minimum of four years post qualification experience in general medicine and/or general practice. Alternatively, any interested doctor with less post graduate experience but a clear interest in palliative care will be considered for employment as a Clinical Fellow with the same terms and conditions of service as a Specialty Doctor.

Applicants wanting to work less than full time will be considered.

About us

The successful candidate will be joining an organisation which is highly rated by the people who work there. The 2023 Staff Survey found 98% of respondents enjoy the work that they do, 96% were proud to work for our Charity and 96% enjoy working with the people within the organisation.

Our Staff Benefits:

38 days annual leave each year, pro rata (inclusive of Bank Holidays) Professional Registration fees reimbursed Various Health and Wellbeing benefits including annual flu and Covid-19 vaccinations, access to complementary therapy and counselling. Free car parking on site Discounted staff meals Pension scheme, or NHS Pensions are transferable Maternity/Paternity benefits

Trinity is a great place to work, having an outstanding rating with the Care Quality Commission and Investors in People Gold accreditation. If you are looking to join a thriving, increasingly innovative organisation, which puts passion and care at the heart of its operations, then this may well be the post for you

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties ofpost

1

To undertake clinical care for patients primarily within the in-patient and community settings working collaboratively across the Trinity family of services, performing holistic assessments and reviewing their management plans as required, ensuring effective communication with the patient, their family and the wider teams.

2.

To ensure safe and effective prescribing following guidelines. To support the regular audit of prescribing and contribute to the review of prescribing guidelines.

3.

To carry out clinical procedures such as venepuncture, cannulation or urinary catheterisation within the limits of competency. Initiate clinically appropriate investigations including CT and MRI scans under the guidance of a senior physician.

4.

To deliver and support education and training for all levels of staff, as directed by the senior clinical staff.

5.

To work with key partners around research and audit projects. Where appropriate to become actively involved in research projects under the guidance of the research team and Medical Director

Learning & Development

6.

To maintain your professional development and keep up to date with current medical practice and thinking in palliative care by attending regular updates and training courses. To maintain a record of training and learning using the Royal College of Physicians e-portfolio and participate in regular review with an in-house GMC accredited clinical supervisor. To participate in annual appraisal and effectively maintain a continuous professional learning and development plan agreed with you through the appraisal process and with the support of the SAS doctor development program to support career progression.

7.

To contribute to audit, research, and quality improvement projects and participate in the supervision, teaching and assessments of medical students and more junior colleagues as needed.

8.

To develop an area of specialism in a non cancer related end of life illness and become an expert resource for the hospice in that area.

9.

To be a champion for palliative and end of life care and make a positive contribution to raising the profile of the work of the Hospice locally and nationally including co-operating with fundraising and the charitable aims of the organisation.

General Responsibilities

10.

To comply with all policies and procedures of the hospice in all areas but especially around clinical and health and safety issues. To complete all required mandatory training and HR processes.

11.

To raise concerns around any aspect of hospice activity with an appropriate member of staff as per Trinitys policies and procedures. To promote at all times the Hospice philosophy, values and ways of working as outlined in the person specification.

12.

To be a co-operative and supportive member of the Trinity staff team, ensuring that all members are aware of any issues in the post holders workload, which may affect other members of the Trinity team.

13.

To provide additional support as needed to students on placement with Trinity.

Professional Function

Clinical

14. To maintain training and knowledge aboutsafeguarding issues for vulnerable adults and to support other staff in actingappropriately if safeguarding issues are raised. To complete mandatory trainingrequirements as determined by Trinity which will include a working knowledge ofthe Mental Capacity Act and Protection of Liberties Safeguards legislation.

15. To ensure all clinical activity undertakenis evidenced base, clinically safe and within the competence of the clinicianperforming it.

16. To undertake 1st on-callduties for the service overnight and weekends, taking calls requesting advicefrom hospital, community, covering IPU reviewing, admitting, and supporting thedischarges of patients as required under the supervision of the consultant orsenior specialty doctor 2nd on-call.

17. To maintain good contemporaneousclinical record keeping and communications necessary to ensure effectivecoordination and continuity of care.

18. To understand the need for andcomply with Trinity governance processes and procedures to ensure patient andcolleague safety and best possible care.

19. To comply with GMC guidance and to followthe principals of Good Medical Practice at all times. To alert the Medical Director if your registrationor one of the other doctors working for the organisation is brought intoquestion, regardless of the reason for this.

20. To ensure you have sufficient medicalindemnity to practice for the hospice.

21. To participate in annual appraisal and allactions needed to meet the requirements for revalidation and have a licence topractice from the GMC

22. To maintain individual and teamprofessional resilience by developing self-awareness and valuing the importanceof self-care.

Management

23. To manage and prioritise time effectively,working with the team to ensure patient care is delivered in a timely manner.

24. To keep an ongoing record of all trainingand teaching and be prepared for revalidation as needed.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

MBBS, MBChB or equivalent Full GMC registration and license to practice At least 4 years post registration training Eligibility to work in the UK

Desirable

Certificate / Diploma in Palliative Care MRCP/MRCGP

Communication Skills

Essential

Effective interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively (written, verbal and non-verbal communication) with patients/relatives and carers and all members of the multi-disciplinary team Ability to work collaboratively with other teams.

Desirable

Advanced communication skills training

Personal Attributes

Essential

Able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team. Ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing needs of patients, team and service. Ability to work autonomously but awareness of limits of own knowledge and when to seek help Effective time management skills and ability to prioritise workload effectively Flexible approach to work Ability to manage a caseload independently Effective time management skills and ability to prioritise workload effectively Flexible approach to work Effective time management skills and ability to prioritise workload effectively Flexible approach to work Demonstrates initiative and resilience

Desirable

Leadership & management experience Willingness to develop clinical skills to support delivery of strategic and operational plans

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

Excellent clinical skills in history taking and examination Evidence of fulfilling GMC good medical practice domains Understanding of clinical governance

Research, Audit and Quality Improvement

Essential

Understands principles of research, Audit and Quality Improvement Evidence of participation in audit cycle Evidence of participation in quality improvement

Desirable

Evidence of participation in clinical research & publications

Education and Teaching

Essential

Evidence of interest and experience in education across settings Committed to continuing personal development and medical education

Desirable

PGCE

Experience

Essential

Knowledge of symptom control in palliative care including malignant and non-malignant disease Ability to manage a caseload independently Ability to manage a caseload independently

Desirable

Experience in Oncology/ Care of the Elderly / General Practice. Knowledge and experience of multi-disciplinary specialist palliative care within hospital, community and hospice settings

---