JOB DESCRIPTION FOR GP with Special Interest (or GP with extended responsibilities) in Palliative Medicine at Pilgrims Hospices in East Kent An attractive post aimed at local GPs with an interest in driving forward standards for those approaching the end of their life in East Kent Closing Date Monday 6 th August with a view to interviewing on Wednesday 29 th August though allowances will be made for potential applicants who are on leave
SUMMARY These permanent posts are suitable for doctors who wish to not only develop a special interest and skills in Palliative Medicine but to share this expertise in the locality to improve standards of palliative care. Posts are available immediately and the base site can be negotiated although the aim is to distribute these posts across the East Kent locality. The post will be a mix of hospice work including ward reviews, community assessments and weekend cover as well as development of skills and systems in the localities of East Kent. The posts will attract 2 Programmed Activities (PAs) payment for each regular weekday worked + 4 PAs for each weekend on a 1 in 6 basis (time off in lieu can be negotiated if preferred) Remuneration for the post will be in line with the specialty doctor payscale, currently: 37,923-70,718 starting at point dependant on experience and current pay scale. Discussions are ongoing with the CCGs and GP leads with a hope to extend these posts more widely. PILGRIMS HOSPICES General information Our vision is to have a community where people with a terminal illness and their family and friends, are supported and empowered to live well in mind and body until the very last moment of their life. Our Mission : Our Mission is to make a difference in the lives of individuals in East Kent who are facing the last year of life. We offer open and compassionate care and expertise for you and your family, leading up to your death and into bereavement. We enable you and your family to make informed choices about your own care planning. We form strategic partnerships throughout our community. We share our research, knowledge and expertise to enable others to play their part in supporting families where and when they need it. Pilgrims covers the 4 CCGs in East Kent and has good working relations with them sitting on the End of Life Working Group and Frailty Steering Group. We are committed to the East Kent Interagency Policy for End of Life Care Management. We look for any opportunity to improve end of life care for all people in the locality. Our clinical strategy Beyond the Hospice Walls demonstrates our wish to move from an organisation perceived by many as the hospice buildings and the beds to one where our integrated work in the community is recognised and appreciated. 2
In order to achieve this we need to ensure we maintain our expertise for the patients who have the greatest need for our input but also to promote best care for all patients approaching the end of their lives whether by education, promoting best practice or systems of care. HOSPICE SERVICES Pilgrims Hospices provides inpatient specialist Palliative Care on 3 sites (Margate, Canterbury and Ashford) with a total of 36 beds. Expert palliative care is delivered by a well-resourced multiprofessional team on each site including: social work, counselling, spiritual leads, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and complementary therapy. Each site runs a therapy centre, staffed by Associate Practitioners running full days and programmes of activities with support from other members of the multi-disciplinary team. The medical team is supported by Advanced Nurse Practitioners in Specialist palliative Care and Palliative Care Specialist Nurses. Pilgrim s community service provides outpatient clinics, home visits and support for families. We have outreach services at Deal, Folkestone, Whitstable and Dover A hospice at home service for those in the last hours or days of life staffed by senior Healthcare Assistants serves the whole area. MEDICAL STAFFING CONSULTANTS Dr Andrew Thorns Medical Director Dr Pauline Dand (PHC) Dr Ben Kennedy (PHA) Dr Becky Bright (PHT) NON CONSULTANT STAFF One specialist trainee at each site London and KSS Deanery rotation Specialty doctors Dr Bill Crawley Dr Soumen Saha Dr Kathy Pickhaver Dr Dione Davidson Specialist Trainees at each site 3
GP trainees at each site with 15 placements a year overall The hospice hosts medical students on attachment from St George s Hospital and Kings Medical School. We expect to play a significant part in the new medical school at Canterbury DUTIES OF THE POST Duties and Responsibilities will include: To contribute to the development of Pilgrims strategy by ensuring it integrates effectively with local primary care services To facilitate the implementation of the East Kent Interagency Policy for End of Life Care Management both within Pilgrims and in primary care. The exact division of time between Pilgrims and primary care will be negotiated with the consultant and medical director but should be approximately 50:50 depending on need and resources To take part in the admission and management of hospice inpatients under the supervision of the Consultant. To offer expert palliative care advice to medical and nursing staff in hospitals and in the community. To review patients in the community and in patient unit, keeping adequate clinical records and case notes for each patient. To be aware of and comply with clinical governance procedures in Pilgrims Hospices. To undertake training in Palliative Care as appropriate by agreement with the Consultant. Time and costs of agreed training will be borne by the Hospice. To participate in annual appraisal and fulfil revalidation requirements. Other duties which may arise from time to time, to be negotiated with the Consultant. OUT OF HOURS ARRANGEMENTS Post holders will contribute to the out-of-hours rota which is currently a 1 in 6 weekend working from 10am 4pm with no night time cover. The duties and responsibilities in this job description may need further discussion in the future to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of the service, future service developments and the post holder. PATIENTS SAFETY, CLINICAL GOVERNANCE, EDUCATION AND TRAINING 4
The PH is fully committed to improving patient safety and experience. Doctors are expected to comply with the hospice s Clinical Governance Programme, audit their own clinical outcomes, report clinical incidents, alert the Hospice to risk, participate in annual appraisal and work to foster good team relationships. Training specific to this post and its role will be provided and funded. An annual review of the job plan will take place. This will include discussions regarding the needs of the service, with agreement of objectives for clinical standards, goals and workload. All Specialty Doctors have responsibilities for teaching doctors, students and non-medical healthcare professionals. RESEARCH PH has an active research programme. Research is encouraged and supported. Training in Good Clinical Practice will be provided. MAIN CONDITIONS OF SERVICE The post is covered by the Terms and Conditions of Service for Specialty Doctors England (2008). The post-holder is required to be fully registered with the General Medical Council. ANNUAL LEAVE The annual leave entitlement is six weeks pro rata. s for leave are subject to approval by the Consultant. A minimum of eight weeks notice of leave arrangements is requested so that adequate cover arrangements can be made VISITING ARRANGEMENTS Further details and information may be obtained by contacting Dr Andrew Thorns on 01233 504133 or 07740378544 andrew.thorns@pilgrimshospice.org. Visits by prospective applicants are encouraged and may be arranged through Human Resources by calling 01227 812612. CONTROL OF INFECTION In accordance with the Health Act (2006) all staff are expected to comply with National and local Infection Control policies and procedures, and any other related infection prevention policies or procedures. In addition, all staff whose normal duties are directly or indirectly concerned with patient care should ensure they have received annual mandatory training (including hand hygiene). 5
SPECIALTY DOCTOR GPSI/GPwER PERSON SPECIFICATION Title of Post: GPSI/GPwER Reference Number: June 2018 Assessment Mandatory Requirements Essential Desirable Method 1. Qualifications Full GMC registration Completion of general practice training Higher study or experience in palliative medicine Assessment Generic Requirements Essential Desirable Method 2. Clinical/Technical expertise Practicing in the East Kent locality or with plans to move to this area Possesses range of clinical knowledge, skills & information technology expertise. Experience in specialist palliative care/hospice Experience in implementing change in primary care Concerned to maintain & develop this knowledge. Displays sound professional judgement Sees patients within a holistic context 3. Intellect and Education Shows an approach based on critical enquiry and evidence-based medicine Postgraduate qualification 6
Embraces evidencebased practice & audit 4. Organisation & planning (both personal & departmental) 5. Communication & Interpersonal Skills Interest in research & development Shows breadth of awareness & a range of problem-solving skills Encourages ongoing learning & an educative culture, both for self and others Understands the issues of risk management & of operating within a litigious & complaints culture Shows self-discipline e.g. record-keeping & legibility Able to juggle a large number of demands by setting priorities & planning effectively Ability to offer constructive advice and influence colleagues Able to communicate clearly, avoiding jargon, with a range of different people Builds strong & effective relationships with patients, families & colleagues with the ability to gain their trust & confidence Ability to cope with 7
considerable pressure as well as to adapt to constant change & new demands Demonstrates energy, enthusiasm & initiative in pursuing innovation and the highest standards for patients, juniors, others, colleagues & the organisation 6. Teaching skills Able to operate within a teaching/training culture Willing to supervise other staff, spots talent & nurtures it Evidence of teaching experience 7. Ability to operate within wider NHS context Understands the NHS system: nationally, regionally & locally Demonstrates a clear understanding of local issues relating to palliative and end of life care in East Kent Evidence of implementing change or improvements in the NHS Demonstrates the skills required to influence change in their local area to contribute to the implementation of the end of life policy Aware of the issues affecting current & future NHS practice especially in the East Kent locality 8
8. Decisiveness and Accountability 9. Partnerships with Patients Understands the concepts & principles of clinical governance Is able to justify decisions Recognises clinical constraints & the realities of prioritising care Works with patients as individuals & not purely as a collection of symptoms; managing expectations and reaching joint decisions 10. Physical requirements Meets professional health requirements 9