Senior Speciality Doctor in Palliative Medicine

NHS Jobs; Llandudno; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

NHS Jobs is seeking a Senior Speciality Doctor in Palliative Medicine to lead clinical care for hospice patients, overseeing assessment, symptom control and complex decision‑making. The role emphasizes collaboration with multi‑disciplinary teams and active participation in governance, education and service improvement.

The post involves leadership across inpatient and community settings, development of policies, and engagement in professional development to sustain high quality end‑of‑life care.

Responsibilities

• Provide medical assessment, review and management of Hospice patients, including symptom control and prescribing.
• Collaborate with nurses, allied health, social workers, counsellors, volunteers and admin staff for holistic care.
• Identify and escalate deteriorating, high‑risk patients per clinical pathways and supervision.
• Communicate clearly with patients, families and carers about diagnosis, prognosis and goals of care.
• Maintain accurate, timely medical records in line with legal requirements.
• Contribute to clinical governance, audits, incident reviews and quality improvement.
• Support safe prescribing and medicines management with pharmacy and consultants.
• Participate in safeguarding and case reviews as relevant.
• Contribute to development of policies, guidelines and pathways in palliative/end-of-life care.
• Raise concerns about patient safety, quality or staff wellbeing as needed.
• Provide visible senior medical support to the multidisciplinary team and supervise junior colleagues.
• Support learning and CPD, with appraisal and continuing professional development.
• Assist in placements and learning opportunities for doctors in training and students.
• Keep up‑to‑date knowledge in palliative care, end‑of‑life care, ethics and safeguarding.
• Support and lead innovation to improve patient care and service responsiveness.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary meetings, discharge planning and shared care decisions.
• Engage in public engagement, fundraising or advocacy aligned with clinical priorities.

Job description

Senior Speciality Doctor in Palliative Medicine

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESCLINICAL PRACTICE Provide medical assessment, review and management of patients receiving Hospice care, including symptom control, prescribing, advance care planning and support for complex decision-making. Work collaboratively with nurses, allied health professionals, social workers, counsellors, volunteers and administrative colleagues to provide holistic care. Support timely, safe and compassionate care across inpatient as agreed in the job plan. Identify and escalate deteriorating, complex or high-risk patients in line with agreed clinical pathways and supervision arrangements. Communicate sensitively and clearly with patients, families and carers, including around diagnosis, prognosis, goals of care and preferred place of care/death. Maintain accurate, timely and legally compliant medical records. CLINICAL GOVERNANCE, QUALITY AND SAFETY Contribute to the Hospice clinical governance framework, including audit, incident review, learning from complaints, quality improvement and risk management. Support safe prescribing and medicines management in line with Hospice policies, legal requirements and best practice, working closely with nursing, pharmacy and Consultant colleagues. Participate in safeguarding and case review discussions where relevant. Contribute to the development and implementation of policies, guidelines and pathways relevant to palliative and end of life care. Raise concerns promptly where patient safety, clinical quality, professional standards or staff wellbeing may be at risk. LEADERSHIP AND TEAM CONTRIBUTION Provide visible and approachable senior medical support to the multidisciplinary team. Support junior doctors, medical students, nonmedical prescribers and other colleagues through teaching, advice and supervision within the postholders competence. Contribute to a positive learning culture that supports reflective practice, psychological safety and continuous improvement. Participate in appraisal, revalidation and continuing professional development requirements, maintaining evidence of competence and scope of practice. Work constructively with the Director of Care, clinical leads and senior managers to support safe delivery of services. EDUCATION, TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT Contribute to internal teaching and reflective learning sessions for clinical and nonclinical staff. Support placements and learning opportunities for doctors in training, medical students and other learners where appropriate supervision arrangements are in place. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of palliative medicine, end of life care, communication skills, safeguarding, mental capacity and relevant legal/ethical frameworks. Participate in external education and networks relevant to palliative care and Hospice practice. Support and lead innovation in medical care within the scope of specialist palliative care, helping to develop safe, evidence based approaches that enhance patient care, quality of life and service responsiveness. PARTNERSHIPS AND EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS Contribute clinically to multidisciplinary meetings, discharge planning and shared care discussions. Support Hospice visibility and credibility with partners through professional, values led representation. Participate in appropriate public engagement, fundraising or advocacy activity where this supports the Hospice mission and is compatible with clinical priorities.