JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Hospice Physician

Managerially responsible to: Director of Clinical Services

Clinically responsible to: Consultants in Palliative Medicine

Base: Wigan and Leigh Hospice

Date: November 2017

Job Purpose:
To provide high quality, evidence-based specialist palliative care to patients and their families with care, compassion and dignity.
To support colleagues who are managing palliative care patients both within the hospice and across the borough through the provision of specialist medical advice when needed.
To participate in the on-call rota providing 24 hour medical cover for the hospice, including the 24 hour specialist palliative care advice line.
Objectives / Typical Tasks
Clinical:
Be a key player in the delivery of specialist palliative medical care and associated activities in line with appropriate standards and guidelines, within all hospice departments. / -Conduct holistic medical assessments on patients and ensure appropriate care and action plans based on their needs are clearly recorded and documented.
-Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
-Use advanced communication skills with patients, carers and relatives, including those with language and cultural differences, facilitating informed consideration that enables choices to be made concerning treatment and future care.
-Ensure medicines are prescribed in accordance with all internal policies, procedures and standard operating procedures and the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
-Participate in handover, admissions and multidisciplinary team meetings (MDT) in order to optimise management plans for each patient.
-Following assessment and with the patient’s consent refer appropriately to other services and agencies.
-Plan patient discharges safely and effectively.
-Support Consultant-led ward rounds.
-Facilitate informed consent that enables patient choice regarding their care, treatment and needs.
-Maintain contemporaneous records of all patient contacts including contacts with relatives and other carers.
-Within own scope of knowledge and expertise give advice to professionals, patients and carers who access the 24hr advice line.
-Recognise own limitations and seek advice from more senior medical colleagues and other members of the MDT when appropriate.
Management:
To work collaboratively with the Consultants in Palliative Medicine and Senior Hospice Physician to ensure efficient and effective management, planning and co-ordination of the medical team’s resources so that the Hospice’s strategic vision and operational objectives for the delivery of specialist palliative care to patients and their families are achieved. / -Work closely with the Consultants in Palliative Medicine and Senior Hospice Physician in ensuring that the department runs efficiently and effectively.
-Work effectively with other medical colleagues on duty at the time to manage, plan, co-ordinate and oversee the delivery of medical care in a timely and responsive manner to all patients within the service who require medical input.
-Manage referrals for hospice admission, assessing their appropriateness, managing the waiting list and planning admissions according to bed and staff availability.
-Manage time effectively in order to achieve the Hospice’s objectives for the delivery of specialist palliative care.
-Attend monthly Doctors’ Meetings to facilitate team communication and service development.
-Attend regular Ward Meetings with senior nursing staff
Leadership:
To be a role model who clearly expresses the hospice vision, values and service quality. / -Act as a positive role model at all times and in the absence of more senior Drs ensure that the medical team functions to the highest standards as set by the Manager.
-Accept accountability for own actions and areas of responsibility.
-Involve others in decision making and empower where possible.
-Facilitate seamless patient care by fostering and maintaining effective communication with all hospice colleagues and external teams that are involved in the delivery of palliative care.
Human Resources:
To be an active member of a high performing medical team ensuring that standards of care and support are maintained in line with internal policies and procedures and clinical guidelines. / -In the absence of more senior Drs to review staff resources to ensure adequate cover to deliver safe care and where necessary consult a member of the Senior Management Team.
-Participate in the development and mentoring of new staff members, including familiarising them with the policies, procedures and values of the Hospice.
Educational:
To participate in delivery of education both within the hospice and where appropriate to external colleagues / -Actively participate in internal education sessions within the hospice, including medical team education and the Multidisciplinary Education Forum.
-Participate in delivery of palliative care education across Wigan Borough where appropriate to level of experience and in agreement with more senior members of the medical team.
-Participate in the development and mentoring of new members of staff.
Quality, Standards, Governance and Safety:
To assist more senior members of the team in managing the department’s quality and standards of service ensuring patients, staff, volunteers and the public receive safe, well managed care. / -Safeguard all patients, families and the public through robust staff training and adherence to internal and external policies and procedures, reporting any concerns to the manager or relevant professional body.
-Record clinical activity accurately on the Electronic Patient Record system.
-Ensure all significant events, drug errors and service issues are reported in a timely way and with management approval modify systems and processes in line with lessons learnt.
-Participate in the assessment of clinical care competencies as per hospice requirements.
-Participate actively in clinical audit and other quality improvement initiatives.
-Contribute to the development, implementation and review of clinical guidelines.
-Contribute to the implementation and review of operational policies and procedures, ensuring they are updated regularly in order that the Hospice meets its statutory obligations and patient care is of a high standard.
-Ensure issues are raised of alleged wrongdoing or malpractice with line manager and also to ensure that any member of staff who raises any issues will not be subjected to reprisals or victimisation of any kind.
Compliance:
Ensure that your practice facilitates full compliance with the Care Quality Commission’s Essential Standards, Data Protection and Outcome Measurements / -Ensure all hospice policies and procedures are adhered to by you and your colleagues.
-Participate in clinical audits and utilise their findings in practice development.
-Report concerns or complaints from service users to team manager.
Service Information:
Ensure up to date service information is readily available in all patient areas and that patients and their visitors have an awareness of it in a format that they can understand. / -Be aware of all service information available and how to signpost service users to relevant support.
-Ensure that patients and their families are in receipt of all relevant hospice information.
Continuous self-development:
Maintain continuous self-development to ensure knowledge, skills and competencies are relevant to the service. / -Take responsibility for own professional development, identifying training and development needs to line manager.
-Complete annual electronic mandatory training.
-Attend specialist training and development activities within the hospice.
-Keep up to date with skills and knowledge through reading journals, research articles and using the hospice’s library facilities.
-Attend relevant external training courses in line with agreed Professional Development Plan, to meet Continuing Professional Development requirements
-Participate in case reflection, journal club and assessment of professional competencies.
A Value for Money Service:
Ensure the charity’s money is used in the most effective and efficient way and that your service runs to budget. / -Ensure appropriate, efficient and economical use of Hospice resources limiting waste.
-Maintain awareness of expenditure on medications and prescribe cost effectively.
-Maximise efforts during working hours in the delivery of a high quality service.
Hospice Philosophy:
Actively support the vision, philosophies and values of the Hospice. / -Promote the core values of the Hospice i.e. compassion, respect, dignity, hospitality, justice and trust.
-Act in a non-discriminatory manner.
-Act as a positive role model to colleagues and the wider community.
-Undertake any other duties as requested by line manager or other senior colleagues for which you have the relevant skills and ability.

PERSON SPECIFICATION - HOSPICE PHYSICIAN

This post is central to ensuring the delivery of a high standard of care to the patients and families under the care of Wigan and Leigh Hospice. Some experience in specialist palliative care is desirable but not essential. The post-holder will be supported to develop further specialist skills through training and personal development. They would be encouraged to complete a postgraduate qualification such as the Diploma in Palliative Medicine as part of this development.

This role requires a person who is an excellent communicator and enjoys working as part of a multidisciplinary team. The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated, innovative and enthusiastic doctor, committed to providing high quality, effective care and to sharing their knowledge, skills and experience with other healthcare providers in any setting.

ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE
Qualifications
Recognized medical qualification (MBBS or equivalent)
Full registration with the GMC and holding a licence to practise / MRCP/ MRCGP or equivalent
Certificate or Diploma in Palliative Medicine
Relevant Experience
Minimum twoyears’ full-time post-registration experience (or equivalent gained on a less than full-time basis), including recent experience in relevant fields e.g. General Medicine, General Practice or Oncology / Experience in Specialist Palliative Care
Advanced communication skills training
Knowledge
General medical knowledge up-to-date and fit to practise safely
Basic knowledge of drugs used in palliative care and prescribing for common end of life problems / Up-to-date with current practices in palliative care
Key Skills & Abilities
Interest in the specialty with a commitment to the aims, philosophy and ethos of the Hospice
Demonstrable skills in written & verbal communication in the English language
Empathy and sensitivity
Capable of organising and prioritising work effectively
Proven ability to work flexibly and under pressure
Problem solving skills and good clinical judgment
Ability to make independent clinical decisions
Awareness of confidentiality and ethical issues
Excellent team working skills
Promotes equality and values diversity
Willingness to engage positively in appraisal
Commitment to continuing professional development
Good computer skills
Driver with a valid licence or ability to travel effectively to undertake required duties / Evidence of initiative and self motivation
Evidence of relevant CPD
Ability to undertake audit projects with appropriate supervision
Other
Able to attend the hospice within 30-40 minutes when on-call

1

Job Description Hospice Physician updated November 2017