Key information
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Main area:Hospice Inpatient Unit
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Grade:Specialty Doctor (SAS)
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ContractFixed term or ad-hoc locum shifts.
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HoursLess than full time - days of working negotioable
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SiteSt Michael's Hospice,
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TownHereford
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Salary:MC75 (£61,542 to £99,216 depending on prior experience)
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Closing date:2025-09-24
About us
We are a busy specialist palliative care service serving Herefordshire and Mid Powys. The service is comprised of teams from St Michael’s Hospice working closely with our specialist palliative care colleagues at Wye Valley NHS Trust. We also offer extensive outpatient, day service and domiciliary support to our population and are supported by a large multiprofessional team. We pride ourselves on providing high quality palliative care for our patients, at the right time and in the place of their chosing.
The proportion of our inpatients who are discharged following a period of treatment approaches 50% meaning a high turn-over on the Inpatient Unit. Many of our patients continue to receive active treatment during their inpatient stay which requires careful co-ordination and communication with other specialities such as oncology.
Job overview
The post holder will join the multidisciplinary medical team at St Michael’s Hospice, providing high-quality specialist palliative care to patients admitted to the inpatient unit. They will deliver holistic care, addressing physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of patients and supporting those close to them. The role involves close collaboration with consultants, specialist nurses, allied health professionals, and the wider hospice team.
You would be working as a specialty (SAS doctor) level on our inpatient unit.
Our usual working patterns are 0900-1700, Monday to Friday with working days negotioable after interview.
Main duties
Clinical work in the inpatient unit setting. This involves providing specialist palliative care to our inpatient population. The successful candidate will be involved in the provision of day-to-day care including admissions, clinical assessment, treatment, discharge and co-ordination with the wider healthcare team.
Depending on the candidate's level of experience and the service requirements at the time, there may be opportunity to join the on-call rota. This is on-site for weekends and remotely in evenings. On-call locum work attracts a locally-agreed, enhanced rate of pay.
The appointee may be called upon to provide supervision for resident doctors or other trainee health professionals, in conjunction with the overall responsible senior clinician.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- Provide day-to-day medical care for patients admitted to the hospice inpatient unit.
- Participate in daily ward rounds and clinical reviews.
- Assess, manage, and review complex symptoms including pain, nausea, breathlessness, agitation, and other distressing symptoms.
- Contribute to advance care planning, decision-making, and sensitive discussions around end-of-life care.
- Communicate effectively and compassionately with patients and families.
- Work closely with the multidisciplinary team to ensure holistic, person-centred care.
- Prescribe and monitor medications in accordance with local and national guidelines.
- Work alongside consultants in palliative medicine and other members of the medical team.
- Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and case discussions.
- Contribute to effective liaison with primary care, secondary care, and community services.
- Support the teaching and training of junior doctors, medical students, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
Qualifications & Registration
MBBS or equivalent medical degree.
Full registration with the General Medical Council (GMC).
Eligible to work at Specialty Doctor level in the UK.
Completed minimum of 4 years’ full-time postgraduate training (or equivalent), at least 2 of which should be in relevant specialties (e.g., palliative medicine, oncology, geriatrics, general medicine, community hospital, or general practice).
Experience
Experience in palliative care or relevant medical specialties.
Experience in managing patients with complex medical and psychosocial needs.
Evidence of effective multidisciplinary team working.
Competence in prescribing opioids and other symptom control medications.
Knowledge & Skills
Strong understanding of the principles and practice of palliative medicine.
Excellent communication skills with patients, families, and colleagues.
Ability to manage clinical uncertainty and complexity.
Able to effectively and sensitively discuss goals of care, advance care planning, and end-of-life decision making.
Commitment to holistic, patient-centred care.
Professionalism & Attributes
Compassionate and empathetic approach to patient care.
Ability to work flexibly and adaptively within a team.
Commitment to CPD, appraisal, and revalidation.
Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in healthcare.
Desirable Criteria
Diploma or higher qualification in palliative medicine.
Previous experience in a specialist palliative care setting (such as hospice experience).
Experience in teaching and supervising medical students and junior doctors.
Experience in audit, research, or service improvement projects.
Evidence of leadership or service development.
Key contact information
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Name:Dr Jim Burtonwood
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Job titleSpecialist in Palliative Medicine and Inpatient Unit Medical Lead
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Email addresshr@smhospicehereford.org