This is an exciting opportunity to join a newly developed, bespoke Specialist Palliative Care (SPC) service in Cornwall. The service has been established through a Macmillan social investment grant in partnership with the local Integrated Care Board, with the aim of transforming the rapid assessment and ongoing care available to people with specialist palliative care needs—and to those who are dying—in the community. The service will operate as a fully integrated component of the existing Specialist Palliative Care provision across the county.
The postholder will play a key role in delivering high-quality specialist palliative care across Cornwall, collaborating closely with SPC teams in both the acute hospital and community settings, and providing in-reach support to the county's two ten‑beded inpatient hospices within the charitable sector. The consultant team also offers timely expert advice to healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients with complex palliative and end‑of‑life needs.
This role offers the opportunity to shape and influence an innovative model of palliative care delivery, working within a motivated, forward‑thinking multidisciplinary team committed to improving outcomes and experiences for people across Cornwall.
Main duties of the job
Clinical Responsibilities
* Act as the responsible clinician for hospice inpatient care (where this forms part of the job plan).
* Provide an advisory consultant service for patients under the care of the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust (secondary care).
* Deliver a telephone advisory service for healthcare professionals across Cornwall, supporting patients in their own homes, residential and nursing homes, and community hospitals.
* Work flexibly within the consultant team to support developing services, including the Palliative Hospital at Home Virtual Ward and out‑patient clinics.
* Participate in the consultant on‑call rota, providing specialist palliative care advice at weekends and out of hours.
General Responsibilities
* Provide management, appraisal and professional supervision to resident medical staff in line with Trust policies.
* Complete all administrative duties associated with patient care, including accurate electronic record‑keeping on Trust and other partner provider systems.
* Record and submit clinical activity data accurately and promptly.
* Contribute to service development and business planning for adult and palliative care services.
* Work with managers and professional colleagues to support the efficient delivery and ongoing improvement of services.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* Completed MRCP
* GMC Registration with a license to practice.
Desirable
* Relevant higher degree (e.g., MD, PhD, MSc) or other additional clinical qualifications.
* CCT in Palliative Medicine.
Experience
Essential
* Experience in assessing and treating patients with palliative care needs in inpatient, out‑patient and community settings.
* Knowledge and evidence of participation in CPD.
Desirable
* Experience working across different SPC settings, including the charitable sector.
Skills
Essential
* Previous experience in taking a leadership role in multidisciplinary teams, ensuring high quality care and staff morale.
* 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
Essential
* Commitment to and experience of undergraduate and postgraduate learning and multidisciplinary teaching.
* Understanding of the principles of teaching.
Desirable
* Organisation of further teaching programmes in medical education or multi‑professional education.
* DipEd postgraduate teaching qualification or equivalent.
Research and Audit
Essential
* Ability to critically appraise published research.
* 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 involvement in partnership with other agencies.
Other Requirements
Essential
* Able to fulfil the travel requirements of the post.
* Able to fulfil all duties of post including on‑call.
We welcome applications from individuals with comparable medical experience in Palliative Medicine but not on the specialist register.
To view a detailed job description and person specification including the main responsibilities of this role, please see supporting documents.
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