Job summary
We are excited to be advertising for a Specialist Consultant in Palliative Medicine working within Palliative and End of Life Care Group as part of the Community Division. The post is for 8 Programmed Activities per week on a permanent basis.
We're proud to say that our hard working, talented and dynamic workforce is our greatest asset.
The post holder with be expected to deliver timely and effective specialist palliative medical expertise to those who need it the most in the community, bring core palliative medical skills, expertise, and leadership to a wider team of clinicians tasked with the delivery of responsive, effective, compassionate, person-centred palliative care.
This post will be part of a group of consultants based within the Black Country ICS, who provide on-call duties specialist palliative care telephone advice for all 3 localities in the ICS, to Hospitals, Hospices and Community. This position also gives the successful candidate the opportunity to work closely with Compton Care who share in our passion and vision to provide quality care and support to those who use our services. This is a developing relationship that will allow us to work collaboratively, areas include development of best practice, research, and innovation.
If you are a dynamic, innovative, forward-thinking clinician who would like to make a significant contribution to the Trust and community services then you could become part of the team.
Main duties of the job
- The post holder with be expected to deliver timely and effective specialist palliative medical expertise to those who need it the most in the community. They will be expected to bring core palliative medical skills, expertise and leadership to a wider team of clinicians tasked with the delivery of responsive, effective, compassionate, person-centred palliative care.
- As such the postholder will provide specialist medical care themselves and steer multidisciplinary assessment and integrated multi-agency intervention.
- The Consultant will be part of a group of Consultants based within the Black Country ICS, who provide on-call duties specialist palliative care telephone advice for all 3 localities in the ICS (Dudley, Wolverhampton, Walsall) to Hospitals, Hospices and Community.
- The post holder will be mainly focused on patients in the community.
- There is scope within team job planning for sessions in Goscote Hospice and / or Manor Hospital if desired in the future. Working in these settings will also happen occasionally to cross cover colleagues' leave.
About us
The Trust provides integrated acute and community Healthcare in the West Midlands serving a population of 260,000 residents. Walsall Manor Hospital houses the full range of district general hospital services. A new integrated critical care unit and a new neonatal unit have recently been built, and building is due to commence on a new Urgent Care Centre housing a new Emergency Department.
We provide high quality, friendly and effective community health services from multiple sites covering Walsall. Our multidisciplinary services include rapid response and homebased care, so that those with long term conditions and the frail elderly can remain in their own homes.
We are recommended by colleagues as a place to work which is supported by the Trust's values to work as part of a team, being respectful, compassionate and professional. We are committed to investing in our workforce
Job description
Job responsibilities
General
- In conjunction with Consultants and Senior colleagues, working with MDT to provide safe and effective Specialist Palliative Care to the people of Walsall with specific responsibility for the medical aspects of care. This involves specialist clinical advice and support to colleagues; direct patient care; planning, delivering, and evaluating the service and care; advising, teaching, mentoring, motivating, and developing colleagues involved in providing palliative care.
- Using your time and expertise efficiently and effectively by judging which level of intervention needed: discussion and advice, joint consultations as well as case load review (or equivalent).
- Typically, due to complexity, no more than 3-4 patients are seen per clinical outpatient session or Day Hospice session (1 PA), and 2 patients are seen during a community clinical session (1 PA).
- Attending relevant MDTs, GSF meetings and similar: using these fora to ensure safe, high quality coordinated care.
On Call Clinical Activity
- In conjunction with Consultant and Senior colleagues, playing a full part in the out-of-hours On-Call Palliative Medicine service for the area of Walsall, Dudley, and Wolverhampton. This involves being on-call for telephone advice to first on call doctors, CNSs and other colleagues in community Hospital and Hospice settings across the ICS.
- This on-call rota is shared by 13 -15 Consultants. On rare occasions it may be necessary to see patients face-to-face during on-call owing to the potential complexity of decision process, especially for patients in Hospice in-patient units.
- On rare occasions the consultants may need to cover a first on-call duty to cover last minute sickness. Honorary contracts are provided to enable this.
- In person attendance on call is exceptional. Telephone advice is normal. The volume of work is subject to monitoring. Cross cover from Walsall Consultant and senior colleagues allows for reduced daytime duties following a busy on call on the rare occasions this is necessary.
Clinical Cover for Patients Needing Specialist Palliative Support
- Provide specialist advice and care will extend across all community settings and all diagnoses to reduce inequities in palliative care provision.
- Manage your diary and be contactable so that MDT, and therefore patients, receive reliable and responsive medical palliative care.
- In case of your absence, ensure that other Consultant Medical Staff or Junior Staff are adequately informed and available to cover these clinical needs.
- Be willing to cross cover Consultants / Medical team absence, reprioritising planned work as necessary.
Education
- In conjunction with Consultant and Senior colleagues, plan deliver and evaluate palliative care education and training across Walsall Together Integrated Care Partnership.
- In conjunction with Consultant and Senior colleagues, to play a full part in the professional supervision and management of junior medical, nursing, ACP & AHP staff.
- In conjunction with Consultant and Senior colleagues, to take responsibility for and devote time to teaching, examination and accreditation duties as required for junior medical, nursing & AHP staff.
Any Other Duties
- Any other reasonable duties as deemed appropriate either in exceptional circumstances or as part of negotiated adjustments to job description.
- Compliance with mandatory training, appraisal, and revalidation requirements.
- The information supplied above is intended to summarise the key responsibilities and duties of the role. The post holder may be required from time to time to carry out other reasonable requests and duties as required, consistent with the responsibilities of their Banding and development as agreed between employee and manager
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Basic Medical Degree
- Full MRCP or equivalent
- GMC Registered for Palliative Medicine via CCT/CESR
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of previous consultant clinical experience or of Higher Specialist Training in Palliative Medicine (or be within 6 months of confirmed entry into Specialist register from date of interview)
- Wide experience in Palliative Medicine equivalent to that required for a UK CCT in the Specialty
- Ability to offer expert clinical advice on range of problems
- Ability to take full and independent responsibility for the clinical care of patients.
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in the Community setting
Professional MDT Experience
Essential
- Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and within a multi-disciplinary team.
- Excellent Communication Skills
Skills
Essential
- Good organisational and management skills
- Ability to manage and lead within the Palliative Care Team
- Ability to organise and prioritise workload effectively.
- Ability to plan strategically and to exercise sound judgements when faced with conflicting pressures
- Experience of supervising junior medical staff
- Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical problems.
- Ability to use the evidence base including clinical audit and QI to support decision-making and service development
- Able to travel throughout the borough during the working day.
Desirable
- Evidence of research experience and published work
- Demonstration of leadership skills
- Ability to teach knowledge skills and attitudes
- Line management 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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website .
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants .
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website .
Employer details
Employer name
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
Address
Walsall Palliative Care Centre
Goscote Lane
Walsall
WS3 1SJ