Specialty Doctor/Clinical Fellow in Palliative Medicine

Integrated Care System; Romford; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading charity-based hospice is seeking a Specialty Doctor/Clinical Fellow in Palliative Medicine to join their dedicated team at Saint Francis Hospice. This full time, fixed term position involves working closely with a multidisciplinary team, providing expert care and support to patients with life-limiting illnesses. Ideal candidates will have relevant clinical experience and strong interpersonal skills, eager to engage in community-focused care amidst a supportive educational environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years post-foundation experience in relevant areas.
• Evidence of dedication to developing a career in specialist palliative care.
• Experience in specialist palliative care and community settings.

Responsibilities

• Work within a multi-professional team providing medical care for patients.
• Join the ward and community support teams to facilitate hospice services.
• Participate in training opportunities for mutual educational support.

Skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Effective communication

Flexible approach to working

Understanding of Good Medical Practice

Commitment to service development

Education

Full Registration with the General Medical Council

Completion of UK Foundation Training

At least 2 years post-foundation experience

Job description

Specialty Doctor/Clinical Fellow in Palliative Medicine

Fixed term contract, required from 18.8.25 or asap thereafter to 31.3.2026

Full time; 10 Programmed Activities (PAs)/ week +non-resident on call rota; less than full time applicants (min 7.0 PAs/weekover 4 days) also welcomed.

Salary: Salary dependent upon experience and gradeand set within reference to NHS Specialty Doctor or Clinical Fellow FY3 payscales.

1 April 2025 pay scales Specialty Doctorbasic pay starting at £61,542 and Clinical Fellow FY3 basic pay starting at£52,656.

SaintFrancis Hospice is seeking to recruit a doctor with a special interest inpalliative medicine for a full time, fixed term Speciality Doctor/ClinicalFellow post (grade dependent on experience), from 18.08.2025.

Thispost is ideal for a doctor with an interest in palliative care, seeking to gainhospice experience towards application to a Specialist Palliative Care trainingrotation or seeking to consolidate/expand their palliative care knowledge andskills.

We are looking for a doctor who has completed their foundation years training, with, ideally (but not exclusively) an additional 2 years + experience in relevant clinical practice (the additional 2 years + enabling eligibility for Specialty Doctor status).

The post is based at Saint Francis Hospice, on the ward which has 18 specialist palliative care beds and a busy community service, which includes a 24/7 helpline, Community CNS, medical and wider MDT visiting service and Day Therapy services., and into the community.

Main duties of the job

The postholder will work within the ward teamsupporting our 18 bedded unit as we go through a period of change with arefurbishment due to start in September 2025. This will involve some bedclosures for a period of time so the role would also extend into the communityto offer greater support in the community whilst our bed numbers have temporarilyreduced.

There are regular training opportunities to betaught and to teach, and the postholder would be encouraged to participate inthese.

Working as part of an extensive multidisciplinaryteam including nurses, HCAs, specialist nurses, OT, physio, complementarytherapists, administration staff.

We see and support people with complex problems related to both advanced malignant and non-malignant conditions, frequently with multi morbidity.

We are a regional education centre, experienced in supporting doctors and others in training.

The post holder will join a medical team of 2.4WTE Consultants, 1.6WTE Specialty Doctors and 2.4WTE GP trainees, and will provide middle grade support to the hospice ward.

There is an on-call requirement, which involves weekend daytime ward rounds and admissions, with non-resident low intensity night cover. Postholders must be able to attend the hospice within 1 hour during non-resident on call periods. Conditions of service and salary are as per national medical and dental terms and conditions of service, with the contract held by Saint Francis Hospice.

About us

We are a dynamic, forward thinking organisation delivering a full range of specialist palliative care services for individuals & their loved ones with life limiting illness. We achieved Outstanding in our CQC inspection & have reconfigured our services to meet the changing needs of our local community. We support 5 Clinical Commissioning Groups & have a robust governance structure in place. We provide ward clinical services within a modern, personal & friendly 18-bedded unit, as well as Specialist Community Crisis Support Service, Hospice at Home Service & Specialist Day Therapy Service. We also have the hospice Pepperell Education Centre that has an excellent reputation for delivering high quality education programmes and study days.

All communication regarding your application including invitations to interviews will be sent to the email address you have stated on your application form, if you could also provide a contact telephone number as well.

Saint Francis Hospice is a charity based in theUK. We will require all successful candidates to be able to providedocumentary ID proof of their Right to Work in the UK. We are not aLicensed Sponsor, so are unable to provide sponsorship to support applicantsapplying from outside of the UK.

Please note that we are a charity & not part of an NHS Trust & we are situated in a quiet location in the village of Havering-atte-Bower, outskirts of Romford, therefore please consider our location when applying.

Job responsibilities

JOB DESCRIPTION for Fixed Term Specialty Doctor/ClinicalFellow post (dependent on experience)from 18/08/25 to 31/03/26.

JOBTITLE:SpecialtyDoctor in Palliative Care.

GRADE:SpecialtyDoctor grade.

HOURSOF DUTY:1.0 WTE (40 hours) LTFT would be considered+ 1:4.5on call.

REPORTSTO: Medical Director.

KEYRELATIONSHIPS: Medical Consultants, medical team..

The multi-professional team in the hospice ward.

The multi-professional team in Saint FrancisHospice Community Services, including the Day Therapy Unit team and the homevisiting teams (the CNS led Specialist Community Crisis and Support Team, theHospice at Home team and allied health professionals).

The support staff and volunteers working across allhospice services.

The medical, health and care professionalsproviding on-going support and care outside of the hospice.

CONTRACT: Thepost will have a hospice contract, with pay and conditions set within referenceto the NHS Specialty Doctor pay and conditions.

APPRAISALAND REVALIDATION:SaintFrancis Hospice expect full engagement with annual appraisal. NHS annualappraisal and revalidation as needed will be channelled through a local NHSTrust.

TheBHRUT Hospital Macmillan Specialist Palliative Care Team.

JOBSUMMARY

The post is based at Saint Francis Hospice, on theward, and into the community.

It presents a real opportunity for anyoneconsidering a career in palliative medicine or wanting to develop a portfoliocareer with palliative medicine as a developed skill or special interest.Previous specialty doctors have a 100% success rate in moving on into theirtraining placement of choice.

The postholder will work within the ward teamsupporting our 18 bedded unit as we go through a period of change with arefurbishment due to start in September 2025. This will involve some bedclosures for a period of time so the role would also extend into the communityto offer greater support in the community whilst our bed numbers have temporarilyreduced.

There are regular training opportunities to betaught and to teach, and the postholder would be encouraged to participate inthese.

Working as part of an extensive multidisciplinaryteam including nurses, HCAs, specialist nurses, OT, physio, complementarytherapists, administration staff.

MAINDUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

CLINICAL

A.HOSPICE WARD

1. Toshare in the provision of medical care for the people receiving care on theward, working closely with other members of the medical team. This will includecontributing to the planning of admissions, clerking in of new admissions,regular review, construction of a management plan, planning of discharges andfacilitating of advance care planning, with a key duty to support our morejunior GP trainees in their day-to-day practice on the ward, and to contributeto the support of relatives and carers.

2. Toattend and support daily ward handover meetings, provide specialty doctor ledward round reviews/support for the GP trainees who provide day to day care, andto participate in the Consultant Ward Round.

3. Tobe a core part of the ward multi-professional team meetings, working closelywith the rest of the multi-professional team to achieve the best of care for peopleon the ward and for their family/supports.

4. Tosupport good therapeutics practice, with a lead role in a weekly pharmacist ledboard round review of medications.

B.COMMUNITY SUPPORT, IN THE OUTPATIENT UNIT AND AT HOME

Dependanton experience; likely to be a component of the latter part of the post:

toshare in supporting the Specialist Community Crisis and Support Team of CNSs andother clinical specialists who provide front line support to people at home.

C.ON CALL DUTIES

Oncalls consist of 1:4.5 on call. Weekends on call (8.45am-4.45pm on site withnight cover non-resident at low intensity), plus 1 weekday until 6.45pm withlow intensity non-resident on callovernight. You will have Friday as a rest/lieu day preceding the weekend andthe Tuesday following the weekend as a rest/lieu day. Must be able to attendthe hospice within 1 hour during non-resident on call periods.

IN SUPPORT OFTHIS CLINICAL WORK

D. GENERALDUTIES

1. To work inpartnership with and liaise closely with our Referrals team, GeneralPractitioners, relevant hospital teams and relevant community specialist teams,providing written communications when necessary.

2. To keepaccurate, clear and up-to-date medical records, engaging with electronicpalliative care systems.

3. To keep seniormedical staff informed of any clinical or management issues requiringConsultant advice or review.

E. TEACHING

1. To support ourjunior (ST1, ST2) GP trainees with informal and bedside training/teaching andwith tutorial teaching.

2. To contributeto the educational programmes provided by the hospice for other healthprofessionals.

Tosupport any healthcare professionals on placement at the hospice (e.g. Care ofthe Elderly clinicians, GP Registrars, medical students, nurses) to get themost out of their hospice visit.

F.EDUCATIONAL/SERVICE IMPROVEMENT/AUDIT

1. To take anactive part in identifying areas for service improvement or audit, supportingservice improvement projects and audits in progress. Mentorship of more juniorstaff to develop their knowledge of audits, and completion of audit ideas.

2. To attend andcontribute to relevant in-house educational meetings, including journal club.

3. Toattend to your continuing professional development needs as agreed at appraisalwith your Consultant supervisor for this post.

ADDITIONALREQUIREMENTS OF POSTHOLDER

SENSITIVITY AND PROFESSIONALISM: As anemployee of Saint Francis Hospice you should expect that it is likely that youwill come into contact with patients, their families and members of the publicwho are at the end of life or recently bereaved. All employees are expected torespond to people recounting and expressing their emotions about such eventswith sensitivity and understanding, and to know enough about the services thatthe Hospice provides to be able to signpost people who may benefit from ourservices to the relevant contacts.

CONFIDENTIALITY: The post holder must maintainconfidentiality, security and integrity of information relating to patients,staff and other hospice matter during the course of duty. Any breach of Confidentiality may become adisciplinary issue.

DATA PROTECTION: It is theresponsibility of all staff to be aware of their obligations in respect of theData Protection Act 2018.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITES: The hospice iscommitted to the development of positive policies to promote equal opportunityin employment and has a clear commitment to equal opportunities. All employees have a responsibility to ensurethat they understand the standards expected and that they promote and adhere tothe equal opportunity measures adopted by the hospice.

HEALTH AND SAFETY: All staff must befamiliar with section 2 of the Health & Safety Policy, Organisation ofHealth and Safety. This document setsout the responsibilities of all staff for health and safety, whether in asupervisory capacity or not. Policysection 3 (arrangements for Health and Safety) provides an overview of trainingfor competence in Health and Safety matters.

HOSPICE IDENTITY BADGES: Hospice ID badges must be worn at all timeswhilst on duty.

SMOKING: The hospice acknowledges its responsibility toprovide a safe, smoke free environment, for its employees, service users andvisitors. Smoking is therefore notpermitted at any point whilst on duty, in accordance with the guidelines setdown within the Hospice No Smoking Policy.

REGISTRATION COMPLIANCE/CODE OF CONDUCT:

All employees who arerequired to register with a professional body to enable them to practice withintheir profession are required to comply with their code of conduct andrequirements of their professional registration.

WORKING TIME REGULATIONS: The Working TimeRegulations 1998 require that you should not work more than an average of 48hours in each week. For example, in a 26week period you should work no more than 1248 hours.

Demonstrating the Hospice Values Compassionate,collaborative and creative.

Compassionate We are a caring team, kind to each otherand put the needs of individuals and their loved ones at the heart of what wedo.

CollaborativeWe value working in partnershipacross our communities and are proactive about nurturing relationships with ourstakeholders.

Creative We areforward-thinking, adaptable in our changing world and embrace change andinnovative ways of working.

Person Specification

Skills, behaviours and personal skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills and effective communication.
• Flexible approach to working practice within a multi-professional team.
• Evidence of understanding of and adherence to Good Medical Practice guidelines.
• Commitment to service development.

Other Requirements

• Satisfactory clearances from enhanced DBS disclosure and health checks.
• Respect and be part of the mission/core values of SFH.
• Full driving license.

Research, audit and teaching

• Shows commitment to ongoing CPD.
• Experience of clinical audit.
• Experience of undergraduate teaching.
• Experience of postgraduate teaching initiatives .

Qualifications

• Full Registration with the General Medical Council.
• Completion of UK Foundation Training OR evidence of competency
• equivalent to UK foundation training and at least 2 yrs full-time equivalent post foundation experience in relevant areas (e.g. GP/Medicine/Oncology/Neuro/Care of Elderly/A&E).
• Experience of working in specialist palliative care, evidence of dedication to developing a career in specialist palliative care, community experience.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.