Specialty Doctor in Palliative care

This post is for a Specialty Doctor in Palliative Care.

It would be suitable for doctors who are fully registered with a license to practice, and who have at least 2 years clinical experience post-registration. Essential and desirable criteria are listed under ‘person specifications’ below.

This post is particularly suitable for doctors who have an interest in any of the following:

• Pursuing a career in Palliative Medicine and/or Frailty and/or Elderly Care
• Working across the interface between hospital and community care
• Acquiring excellent advanced communication skills
• Working in a dynamic environment
• Working within a multi-disciplinary team
• Working collaboratively with other members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT): MDT working is a key component of working in the department. The post holder will work closely with the palliative care Clinical Nurse Specialists, with the End of Life Care Nurses, and with any other members of the MDT.
• Reviewing patients referred to the Specialist Palliative Care Team (SPCT) on any ward (including ED) within Luton & Dunstable Hospital (LDH). This will include new patient assessments and reviews of patients on the team’s caseload.
• As needed, reviewing patients alone or with another member of the SPCT.
• Electronic prescribing of medications for symptom management for patients on the SPCT caseload.
• Leading and/or attending family meetings as required.
• Managing complex communication including breaking bad news, advance care planning, managing the dying phase and more.
• Promptly escalating and/or highlighting the need for senior support and/or review for any of the patients on the SPCT caseload.
• Liaising with medical and surgical teams within LDH. This could include discussing patients on the SPCT caseload, discussing new or potential referrals, and providing SPC advice.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff.

As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.

Our Values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Karen Jackson Job title: General Manager Email address: karen.jackson@bedsft.nhs.uk Telephone number: 01234 355122