Clinical Fellow in Palliative Medicine

NHS; Esher; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local hospice organization in Esher seeks a Clinical Fellow to support its Inpatient team, focusing on hospice admissions and urgent patient assessments. Ideal candidates should have experience in Palliative Medicine and a passion for multi-professional teamwork, with opportunities for continued learning and development. This role is crucial in providing holistic patient-centered care, ensuring patient needs are met diligently.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of full-time postgraduate training, with 6 months in Palliative Medicine.
• Experience in diverse healthcare settings and NHS.
• Commitment to equality and diversity.

Responsibilities

• Assess and manage patients with a holistic Multi Professional Team approach.
• Maintain ongoing medical care and continuity for in-patients.
• Support community team nurses with patient management discussions.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Leadership

Education

MB BS or equivalent

Full GMC registration

MRCGP or MRCP or equivalent

Job description

Overview

Job summary. Please apply via directly on Princess Alice Hospice website via the link attached. Our vacancies are subject to eligibility to work in the UK. We are a small organisation with limited funds and therefore we are not able to employ you if you are outside the UK as we are not able to obtain a work permit or visa sponsorship on your behalf.

We are looking for a Clinical Fellow to support our Inpatient team, primarily undertaking hospice admissions/follow-ups and urgent assessments of patients on the In-patient unit. This post will suit a doctor who already has some experience in Palliative Medicine and may be planning to follow a career in the specialty but wishes to have additional experience prior to application for Specialty Training. You will support and provide cross cover across the medical team, assessing and managing patients admitted to the hospice, with a holistic multi-professional team approach. You will join a supportive medical team, have a clinical supervisor, and have access to CPD and teaching opportunities.

Main duties of the job: strong communication and people skills are fundamental as you will be required to work in partnership with the multi-professional team, ensuring every patient and their needs are always at the centre of what you do. You will need to share and demonstrate our five key values of Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence. You will be able to provide evidence of full registration, with a GMC licence to practice and ongoing appraisal / revalidation.

Be the difference at moments that really matter.

Key responsibilities

• To assess and manage patients admitted to the hospice, with a holistic Multi Professional Team (MPT) approach.
• To maintain ongoing medical care for in-patients, ensuring continuity of care (e.g., attend / contribute to morning MPT handover).
• To liaise closely with consultant colleagues, maintaining regular day-to-day contact.
• To work closely with all members of the MPT.
• To provide planned and urgent medical reviews for patients on the in-patient unit.
• To support the community team nurses in discussing issues in relation to the management of patients at home when on call.
• To provide clear communication and handover of clinical information by telephone, email or in writing as appropriate, ensuring all relevant in-house / external healthcare professionals are up to date with clinical events.
• To support / address the needs of carers / families, e.g. communicating with them as often as necessary.
• To maintain accurate and contemporaneous patient records (electronic patient records).
• To attend weekly MPT inpatient meetings and consultant ward rounds.
• To manage patients after death on the IPU per required processes and documentation, including notification to the coroner if necessary.
• Coordinate with colleagues to provide medical support to the Well-being centre.
• To work flexibly with the medical team and provide cover for colleagues and the wider MPT as appropriate.
• To help with induction, education and supervision of medical students and visiting doctors as appropriate.
• May be required to be part of the on-call rota across Princess Alice Hospice and St Raphaels Hospice in Cheam (1:5 first on call for weekdays, weekends and bank holidays; 24/7 second on-call cover for consultants).

General requirements

General requirement for medical staff

• To contact a consultant, senior colleague or manager if there are any clinical concerns.
• To participate in audit, research or ongoing developments within the hospice and develop own audit / research where appropriate.
• To participate in the medical department CPD programme and other educational activities at the Hospice.
• To participate in teaching for the wider MPT, hospice staff / volunteers and externally where appropriate.
• To comply with Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements as stipulated by the Royal Colleges.
• To keep up-to-date with clinical mandatory training requirements.
• To maintain a portfolio of evidence, annual appraisal and a personal development plan (PDP) in line with GMC revalidation policies and procedures.
• To maintain professional indemnity insurance to cover work in the hospice.
• To maintain confidentiality and comply with GMC Good Medical Practice.

General requirement for all staff

• To attend staff meetings as appropriate, in discussion with the Medical Director.
• To attend statutory training (e.g., fire, lifting and handling) and other health and safety issues.
• To safeguard the interests of patients and their families.
• To be aware of the hospice values and behaviours.
• To monitor, record and assist in investigations of any complaints, reporting to the Medical Director.
• To be conversant with the hospice Clinical Governance Policy.
• To be aware of personal and others’ responsibilities as defined by Health and Safety at Work Act and COSHH regulations.

Person specification

Essential skills and attributes include: ability to work as part of a multi-professional team, leadership when appropriate, flexible approach, commitment to equality and diversity, probity, upholding hospice values, clinical judgement, good communication, teamwork, and comfort with clinical uncertainty. Evidence of governance, audit, teaching, and research is desirable.

Qualifications and experience are as follows:

• Undergraduate: MB BS or equivalent; Full GMC registration and licence to practice; Defence union membership; fitness to practise where applicable.
• Postgraduate: MRCGP or MRCP or equivalent or working towards; European Certificate of Essential Palliative Care (ECEPC); Diploma in Palliative Medicine or equivalent / higher; MSc.
• Experience: At least 4 years of full-time postgraduate training (or equivalent); at least 6 months experience in Palliative Medicine; NHS experience and diverse healthcare settings.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a DBS submission may be required. UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer details

Princess Alice Hospice, West End Lane, Esher, Surrey, KT10 8NA

Employer's website: https://www.pah.org.uk/