GP​/SAS Doctor in Palliative Medicine

Overview

We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic doctor to join our expanding Specialist Palliative Care team in Cornwall. This new post will play a key role in developing and delivering our emerging virtual palliative care service
, supporting rapid assessment and high-quality care for people at the end of life in the community.

Working closely with the palliative care consultant team and Community Specialist Palliative Care Nursing (CSPCN) teams, you will help shape an innovative, integrated model of care supported by Macmillan investment and aligned with the local Integrated Care Board vision.

The role is ideal for a Specialist, Associate Specialist, Specialty Doctor, or General Practitioner with experience in community settings and either established palliative medicine experience or a clear commitment to developing specialist skills. Additional clinical responsibilities, including out-of-hours work, may be explored.

Join us in shaping a modern, responsive palliative care service for the people of Cornwall.

Clinical Duties

• Provide high-quality care for people with palliative and end-of-life care needs in the community.
• Identify individuals who may be in the last year of life, considering illness trajectories, and support Advance Care Planning (ACP), including discussion of preferred place of care and preferred place of death.
• Use virtual technology to undertake remote assessments, clinical decision-making and prescribing (telephone or other remote platforms).
• Assess, hold, and communicate clinical risk sensitively with patients and families.
• Undertake face-to-face outreach visits as required, either independently or jointly with other healthcare professionals; the role requires the ability to travel independently.

General Duties

• With consultant supervision, provide senior medical advice to palliative care teams in hospital, hospice and community settings.
• Deliver planned assessments and reviews of patients in community and clinic environments.
• Contribute medical input to weekly MDT meetings and assessments of patients referred to the service.
• Provide timely advice and support to colleagues and nursing teams across settings.
• Participate actively in clinical governance, audit, care pathway development and team meetings.
• Attend care reviews organised by the key worker as required.
• Engage in regular clinical supervision with the team's Consultant Psychiatrist.
• Ensure accurate, timely documentation in line with Trust policies for electronic and paper records.

We're an NHS community and mental health provider Trust based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We deliver community and hospital-based care to improve people's physical and mental health. We also provide specialist support to people with dementia or a learning disability.

We are a people organisation and people matter to us. As part of the team, you'll help support the health and wellbeing of the people who live and visit this beautiful part of the UK.

Over 4,000 people make up the Trust. This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, plus admin and support staff. We work in people's homes, in community clinics and bases. Some staff work from one of our 13 community hospitals. Our aspiration is to have great people, provide great care, be a great place to work and a great partner.

Approximately 568,000 people live here. A third of people who live in Cornwall are supported by acute hospital services in Devon. As a result, we also work closely with our partners in Devon. In the summer, and during other holidays lots of people choose to visit the area. This increases the numbers of people who use our services.

Qualifications

• Essential
  :
  Medical Degree

Desirable

• Relevant Higher Degree e.g., MD, PhD, MSc or other additional clinical qualifications

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 2 years experience in assessing and treating patients with palliative care needs in inpatient, outpatient and community settings.
• Knowledge and evidence of participation in CPD

Desirable

• Experience of working across different SPC settings, including charitable sector.

Skills

Essential

• Ability to manage own time, workload and prioritise clinical work.
• Ability to appraise own performance
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

Desirable

• Evidence of specific achievements that demonstrate leadership skills.

Teaching

Desirable

• Organisation of further teaching programmes in medical education or multi professional education.
• Dip Ed Postgraduate teaching qualification or equivalent.

Research and Audit

Essential

• Experience of carrying out audit/quality improvement projects.

Desirable

• Experience of involvement in a research project and publication
• Interest in research.

Aptitude and Personal qualities

Essential

• Positive attitude to multidisciplinary working and leadership.
• Ability to deal effectively with pressure.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively.
• Reliable and honest.
• Flexible approach to working practice.

Desirable

• Evidence of…