St Ann S Hospice, Little Hulton

Locum Specialty Doctor in Palliative Medicine

Salary Scale £37,547 – £70,018 pro rata

Background informationJob description

1Post at St Ann’s Hospice Heald Green

Whole or Part Time for a Fixed Term of 6 months

available from August 2017

June 2017

St Ann’s Hospice - Background

St Ann’s Hospice is one of the largest adult hospices in the UK with 45inpatient beds split over two sites (Heald Green and Little Hulton) as well as an out-patient based service (Neil Cliffe Centre). We employ over 300 staff, serving a population of around 1.2 million people within Manchester, Salford, Trafford, Stockport and parts of Cheshire. We also care for a number of patients outside this geographical area. We are supported by over 700 volunteers.

Hospice care at St Ann’s is provided free of charge. The NHS contributes just over 30% of the Hospice’s annual £9 million running costs, the remaining £6 million being obtained via the generosity of the public.

What we do

St Ann’s Hospice provides Specialist Palliative Care services and support to those affected by life-limiting illnesses. Across our three sites, over 3,000 people use our services each year. We provide care across 3 geographical sites (Heald Green, Little Hulton and the Neil Cliffe Centre) in three areas:

• Inpatient services

• Heald Green – 27 in-patient beds
• Little Hulton – 18 in-patient beds

• Day Therapy Units
• Day hospice facility/Drop in Clinic
• Medical outpatient clinics
• Nurse-led supportive out-patient clinics
• Physiotherapy
• Occupational therapy
• Specialist lymphoedema care
• Psychological support service
• Bereavement care
• Specialist social work teams
• Art therapy
• Stress and relaxation classes
• Breathlessness clinic
• Complementary therapies (including reflexology, Indian head massage, and acupuncture)

• Community services
• Community Specialist Nurse Team in Salford
• Hospice at Home Team in both Salford and Trafford
• St Ann’s Hospice provides a 24 hour advice line for patients, carers and professionals

The Hospice does not provide long-term care for patients. We aim to assess and manage patients’ symptoms in order for them to return home wherever possible. However this is obviously influenced by the needs of the individual and around 30% of people return home from St Ann’s Hospice after receiving care.

Although the majority of our patients are admitted with cancer-related illnesses, our services are also open to patients with non-malignant disease, such as chronic heart failure, chronic lung disease, chronic renal disease and neurological diseases.

There is a close liaison and collaboration between hospital and community palliative care teams, primary healthcare teams and other community health and social services.

Our facilities

St Ann’s Hospice Heald Green was opened in 1971 and the Little Hulton unit in 1979. Both Inpatient sites enjoy facilities refurbished to a high standard. Medical staff have access to office space, computers and internet and secretarial support. Both sites have library facilities.

The Multidisciplinary team comprises the following:-

medical staff nursing staff

occupational therapists physiotherapists

pharmacists social workers

dieticianpsychological support nurse spiritual care coordinator infection control nurse

Medical staffing at Heald Green includes:

Consultant in Palliative Medicine St Ann’s / Stockport PCT; Dr D Waterman (0.3WTE)

Consultant in Palliative Medicine St Ann’s / Manchester Royal Infirmary; Dr Ashique Ahamed (0.45 WTE)

Macmillan Consultant in Palliative Medicine St Ann’s / University Hospital South Manchester Trust; Dr Sophie Harrison (0.2 WTE)

Macmillan Consultant in Palliative Medicine St Ann’s / University Hospital South Manchester Trust; Dr Samantha Kay (0.3 WTE)

Associate Specialist; Dr Alison Phippen

2 Specialty Doctors (1.3 WTE)

1 GP Clinical Assistant

Specialty Registrar in Palliative Medicine (on rotation)

2 GPST Doctor (1.4 WTE) – 1 WTE vacancy

FY2 Doctor (0.6 WTE)

Medical Staffing at Little Hulton includes:

• Medical Director / Consultant in Palliative Medicine (Dr Philip Lomax: 0.9 WTE at Hospice)
• Consultant in Palliative Medicine St Ann’s Hospice/Salford Community(Dr Alison Roberts 0.9 WTE)
• Consultants in Palliative Medicine St Ann’s / Salford Royal Foundation Trust (Dr Katie Hobson and Dr Tim Jackson: 0.1 WTE at Hospice)
• Specialty Doctor (Dr R Patel 1 WTE)
• Specialty Registrars in Palliative Medicine (on rotation)
• 2 GP Clinical Assistants
• ST1 Doctor (1.0 WTE)
• Integrated GPST post inPalliative Medicine Trainee (0.4 WTE)
• 2xFY2 Doctor (0.8 WTE)

Job Description

General duties and responsibilities

Appointees will assist in the provision of specialist palliative care services at St Ann’s Hospice, Heald Green under the supervision of the clinically responsible Consultants. As members of the medical team, they will be responsible for maintenance of the highest possible standard of medical care for patients and will encourage and support a holistic approach to the care of patients and their families within the organisation, taking social, psychological and spiritual, as well as medical factors into consideration. Postholders will work closely with members of all other disciplines within the organisation.

Specific duties may include:

• To assist with daily management of patients on the in-patient unit, including practical procedures such as venepuncture and intravenous infusions.
• To clerk patients on admission to the in-patient unit using the electronic patient record.
• To liaise with, and provide advice to, General Practitioners, Community Specialist Nurses and other members of the Primary Healthcare Team in assisting in the support of patients in the community and when referral for admission to the in-patient unit is being considered
• To provide regular medical support to day care sessions
• To ensure the keeping of accurate, professional and contemporaneous records
• To be involved in the provision of 1 in 5 first on call under Consultant supervision. EWTD monitoring has not shown first on call activity to exceed the equivalent of an average of 1 PA per week.
• To participate in education, training,audit and research activities
• To participate in regular appraisal of performance and training needs
• To undertake appropriate Continuing Professional Development and revalidation activities in accordance with the requirements of the Royal College of Physicians

This list is not exhaustive, and the responsibilities will be regularly reviewed and adapted in discussion with the postholder at each site. It is expected that postholders will work flexibly alongside colleagues to ensure the highest quality of service to patients and those close to them.

Requirements of the post

A person specification is attached but, in brief, this post needs doctors who:

• Are excellent clinicians
• Fulfil the necessary requirements of post-registration general and Palliative Medicine experience
• Are keen to develop their knowledge and skills in Palliative Medicine
• Have the desire to work both in a hospice in-patient environment and in a Day Therapy Unit
• Are committed to team working in a multiprofessional setting
• Understand the importance of audit and research to the continuing development of Specialist Palliative Care services
• Are prepared to participate in the first on-call rota for the Hospice. Cross site working may be required.
• Are preferably able to drive and, have access to a car.
• Communicate clearly and sensitively with patients and, as appropriate, with their families and friends
• Are sensitive to patients’ psychological and spiritual needs
• There may be requirements in the future for this post to be involved in on call commitments.

CPD, education, training, audit & research

The postholder will need to develop a portfolio of evidence in order to progress through the grade. This will support their professional development and, where appropriate, will support their application to return to training.

The postholder will have opportunities, and be expected, to participate in education, clinical and process audit, and research activities within the organisation. In turn, St Ann’s will actively support the postholder in their own Continuing Professional Development (CPD) through provision of protected time and appropriate facilities and, where appropriate to the post, funding for attendance at courses and conferences.

The postholder will be expected to take an active role in the education and training of both junior medical staff and medical students within the Hospice, and also to be involved in the provision of education and training of the wider multidisciplinary team. St Ann’s already runs a successful programme of short courses.

The Hospice has an active audit programme which postholders will be required to contribute to where appropriate. The hospice has a lead for Quality and Audit and contributes to external audits run by the North West Audit Group as well as conducting internal quality improvement. This will enable those with an interest in audit to gain access to a wider base of expertise and experience, as well as become involved in larger projects.

St Ann’s has been involved in a number of research projects over recent years. We are currently collaborating with the Prognosis in Palliative Care Study.

Both Hospice sites have study, library and IT facilities providing access to a wide range of print and online palliative care, general medical and nursing, and other publications.

Management

The postholder will be expected to participate in management duties within the organisation as appropriate to their role. In conjunction with the Consultants in Palliative Medicine and In-patient Services Managers, this will include day-to-day supervision of junior medical staff and ward organisation. Other opportunities for developing experience and skills in healthcare management exist within the organisation for postholders if they are interested in this aspect of career development.

Timetables

The post is currently full time but we will consider applicants who want to work less than full time. As well as direct clinical care, there are opportunities to be involved in education and audit.

Heald Green Indicative Timetable of a full time post

Responsibility & accountability

Postholders will be responsible ultimately to the Chief Executive of St Ann’s Hospice. The postholder will, in the first instance, be accountable to the Consultant(s) in Palliative Medicine responsible for the clinical area in which duties are being performed and then to the Medical Director.

On-call responsibilities

The successful candidate will participate in a 1 in 5 on call rota. On Call is non-resident and is supported by Consultant Second on Call cover. On call is remunerated by 1 Programmed Activity plusOn Call availability allowance which is paid as per NHS Terms and Conditions of Service.

Terms and conditions of service

1. The postholder is required to be fully registered members of the General Medical Council.
2. Medical Indemnity is required and can be arranged by the Hospice via the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland.
3. A contract will be issued by the Hospice and the postholder’s terms and conditions of employment are determined by and agreed with St Ann’s Hospice. The Hospice follows an adapted model of the Terms and conditions of service for Specialty doctors – England (2008) NHS Employers.St Ann’s Hospice is unable to honour previous NHS qualifying service for purposes of annual leave, sickness pay and maternity leave.
4. Annual leave entitlement is 35 days per year pro-rataincluding Public Holidays.
5. Study leave is by mutual agreement up to a maximum ofup to30 days over a three year period pro-rata.
6. It is expected that the postholder will undertake CPD in accordance with formal requirements. The Hospice is committed to resource CPD adequate for this purpose.
7. The postholder will be appraised annually by the Medical Director of St Ann’s Hospice, or another member of the Consultant staff nominated by the Medical Director.
8. Travelling expenses incurred during work for the Hospice are reimbursed in line with St Ann’s Hospice policies.
9. The postholder will be required to be able to attend the Hospice within 30 minutes in an emergency when on-call.
10. The postholder will benefit from secretarial support provided to the medical team.
11. Honorary Contracts will be sought with local NHS Trusts to facilitate access to education.
12. The postholder will ideally possess a full UK driving licence. Possession of their own car would be an advantage.
13. A satisfactory Occupational Health assessment, which may include medical examination, is a condition of employment.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974

This post is exempt from the provisions of Section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 by virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exemptions) Order 1975. This means that candidates are not entitled to withhold any convictions they may have had. Information should be provided on a separate sheet. Any information given will be completely confidential and will not necessarily disqualify application for the posts.

Job description

This job description is a reflection of the current position and may change in emphasis or detail in the light of subsequent developments.

Further information

Further information on this post can be obtained by contacting Dr Philip Lomax, Medical Director (0161-702-5404). The Hospice website can be found at

St Ann’s Hospice

Specialty Doctor in Palliative Medicine

Person specification

• Full GMC registration
• MBBS or equivalent

• MRCGP, MRCP or equivalent
• Diploma or degree in Palliative Care

• Minimum of 4 years experience since full GMC registration
• 2 yearsof experience in a relevant specialty or possess equivalent experience or competencies

• Specific interest in Palliative Medicine, with a desire to develop skills further
• Multidisciplinary team working skills
• Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively with patients, families & colleagues
• Sensitive to patients’ psychological and spiritual needs

• Advanced communications skills training

• Demonstrates breadth of experience & awareness in clinical practice
• Understands the importance of audit & research to the continuing development of clinical practice
• Shows awareness of own limitations

• Personal involvement in audit &/or research
• Demonstrates use of evidence-based practice

• Experience of teaching undergraduates, post graduates and other health professionals

• Teaching Course, PBL course or similar

• Ability to prioritise
• Ability to organise oneself & work
• Knowledge of the importance of clinical governance

• Understanding of independent hospice funding / organisation

• Be able to attend the Hospice within 30 minutes when on-call

• Hold a full UK driving licence

• Excellent communication & language skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Able to use a non-judgemental approach to patients & colleagues

• Completion of a communication skills course
• IT skills

• Meets professional health requirements

AF – Application formIV – Interview

Ref- ReferencesHS – Pre-employment Health Screening

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Specialty Doctor HG Job Description June 17