St Michael S Hospice Company
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JOB DESCRIPTION
Date: May 2017
Job Title: Specialty Doctor in Palliative Care
Job Location: St Michael’s Hospice
Responsible to: Medical Director
Accountable to: Chief Executive
1.0 JOB SUMMARY
To assist in the provision of a specialist palliative service to St Michael’s Hospice, working alongside other members of the medical team, and under the direction of the Medical Director.
The primary focus of the role is to provide specialist palliative medical input and support the In-Patient Unit.
In addition, specialist palliative medical input and support to Day Services and community services may be required.
To participate in the first on call rota for the inpatient unit.
2.0 PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
2.1 Undertake medical assessment, diagnosis and management of all inpatients and when requested day patients
2.2 Initiate appropriate medical care and prescribe appropriately in line with Hospice policies and guidelines
2.3 Assess new planned and emergency admission patients and work with MDT to initiate appropriate investigations and treatments
2.4 Admit patients to the Hospice
2.5 Any other medical duties in emergency situations
2.6 Communication with patients, relatives and carers regarding clinical condition and management plan
2.7 To have a commitment to holistic medicine and work with the MDT attending MDM meetings as required
2.8 Record Medical assessment and examination in the relevant patient files
2.9 Living within easy access of the Hospice, and be on the on-call rota.
2.10 Review and update drug records. Maintain accurate and legible drug charts
2.11 To carry out domiciliary visits as required
2.12 Completion of death certificates and cremation certificates when required
2.13 Communicate with referring team and other healthcare professionals to ensure continuity of care when appropriate
2.14 Provide advice and teaching to members of MDT and visiting professionals
2.15 Participate in internal education events
2.16 Ensure discharge letters and letters notifying death are done as needed
2.17 Actively participate in Clinical Audit
2.18 Providing telephone advice to medical or nursing staff in the hospital or community
2.19 To meet requirements of appropriate royal college CPD with involvement in CPD appropriate to specialty. Keeping up to date with medical developments, new drugs, treatments and medications, including complementary medicine relative to palliative care
2.20 Participate in annual appraisal and revalidation process
2.21 Contributing to the development of clinical governance
2.22 To participate in the provision of on-call medical cover for inpatients of St Michael’s Hospice and telephone advice for patients in hospitals and in the community. Weekday on-call is usually from 5.00pm – 9.00am the next day, and the cover is mostly by telephone. Weekend on-call entails a ward round on both days to see in-patients, which usually lasts 2-3 hours depending on the patient needs. The doctor needs to be within easy access time from the Hospice and be reachable by mobile phone. The Specialty Doctor will be 1st on-call (the first point of contact), and will be supported by a 2nd on call doctor for senior support and advice.
3.0 ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
3.1 To carry out duties with full regard to the Company’s Equalities and Diversity Policies.
3.2 To act as a responsible individual in relation to Health and Safety and be aware of the responsibilities of all employees to maintain a safe and healthy environment for patients, visitors, staff and volunteers.
3.3 To ensure that all duties are carried out to the highest standard, and in accordance with current quality initiatives within the work area.
3.4 To carry out any other duties, within an appropriate level of responsibilities as required.
3.5 To undertake flexible hours as and when the need arises to maintain safe patient practice.
3.6 To ensure confidentiality at all times within the Hospice
3.7 To support and participate in the fundraising activities of the hospice wherever possible.
3.8 To be an ambassador for the Hospice.
3.9 To ensure that the disclosure and use of confidential staff information is both lawful and ethical, and to recognise own responsibility for compliance with relevant legislation.
3.10 To promote, at all levels, the Company’s vision, values and strategic objectives.
3.11 To hold DBS and Occupational Health clearances appropriate to the role. Note: these are obtained and checked as part of the recruitment process and reviewed in line with company policy or if a change in circumstances is declared or comes to light.
This job description is not intended to be exhaustive and may be reviewed at
any time to meet the needs of the business.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Post Title: / Specialty DoctorDepartment: / Medical
Essential Criteria / Desirable Criteria
Education/
Qualifications / MBBS or equivalent
Full GMC registration / Diploma in Palliative Medicine (or willingness to work towards)
MRCP, MRCGP or equivalent
Work background and experience / Experience in General Practice or Hospital Medicine / Desire to pursue palliative medicine as a specialty
Skills/Ability/
Knowledge / Evidence of an ability to communicate effectively and empathetically with patients, families, colleagues and staff at all levels
Work in partnership with patients and practices shared decision making
The ability to work as part of a team, works well in MDT
Able to prioritise patients according to their clinical needs
Ability to undertake audit projects including the understanding of the principles of clinical governance
Basic skills – word, excel, outlook and PowerPoint
Ability to teach basic topics to non-specialist clinical staff / Advanced communications skills
Teaching skills and training in teaching methods
Knowledge of the organisation
Leadership experience
Personal Qualities and other requirements / Must have full UK driving licence and access to a car or able to demonstrate how you will meet the travelling requirements of the post
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Able to do on-call (evenings and week-ends) as part of in-house rota
Excellent organisational skills
Ability to work well under pressure
Commitment to improving the standards of palliative care for the people of Hastings and Rother districts, through the provision of a high quality service
Physical effort
No particular requirement for lifting and handling. Able to work at desk (workstation adaptions available)
Ability to work over 4 floors (lifts are available)
Respond quickly in an emergency
Mental effort
Able to cope with multiple tasks under pressure.
Able to prioritise and adapt to change at short notice.
Concentration required when working in a clinical environment.
Able to deal with people who may be upset or distressed in end of life situations.
Last updated May 2017