Consultant in Palliative Medicine NHS Medical & Dental: Consultant

Job overview

Applications are invited for an 8PA Consultant in Palliative Medicine.

This post offers an exciting opportunity for a Consultant in palliative medicine to work within an established team of 5 experienced Consultants at the Trust.

The post-holder will be based mainly at St Helier Hospital and provide 2PAs at Epsom General Hospital. The post includes 1 in 5 non-resident on-call covering both hospital sites and attracts a supplement at Category A level (5%). There may be an opportunity to increase to 9PAs in the future.

AAC Interview Date: Thursday 3rd April 2025

Main duties of the job

This is a post to replace the clinical sessions of a senior Consultant and provides an exciting opportunity to join the well-established specialist palliative care team in a Trust that values the importance of excellent palliative and end of life care. Our Trust was rated ‘Good’ in the latest CQC inspection and End of Life Care was rated ‘Good’ across all domains. The National Audit of Care at the End of Life has consistently evidenced care above the national average within our Trust, highlighting the commitment at all levels towards delivering high quality end of life care.

The Specialist Palliative Care team provides care, support and advice to inpatients at Epsom and St Helier Hospitals and has close working relationships with our local hospices, including 2 of the consultants who have joint posts with our Trust and 2 local hospices. Our team delivers a 7-day a week face-to-face CNS service, supported by Consultant in Palliative Medicine 24/7 telephone advice. The post-holder will be a core member of the specialist palliative care medical, nursing & social work team.

The Consultant in palliative medicine will be an asset to both the palliative care team and our Integrated Healthcare services, Sutton Health and Care and Surrey Downs Health and Care, supporting continuity of care across settings.

Working for our organisation

St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey. Our sites include St George’s Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary’s Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC). 

After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.

Applications will be considered from individuals on the specialist register for Palliative Medicine or within 6 months of their CCT date at the time of the interview.

Person specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential criteria

• Hold a medical qualification or qualification registered with the GMC
• Appropriate higher medical qualification i.e. MRCP
• On the Specialist Register for Palliative Medicine (or within 6 months of their CCT date at the time of interview)

Desirable criteria

• MD or equivalent higher degree or evidence of relevant research
• Advanced communication skills
• Diploma or MSc in Palliative Medicine, MA in Ethics

Clinical Experience

Essential criteria

• High standard of clinical skill and expertise in the specialty
• Able to contribute to the full range of skills required for the on-call rota for the specialty

Desirable criteria

• Good all round experience in Palliative Care and/or other sub-specialties.

Management & Administrative Experience

Essential criteria

• Audit/Research
• Has attended a recognised management training event or will have such training on completion of CCT
• Supervision of post graduate trainees
• Personal time management skills
• Clinical Governance

Desirable criteria

• Familiarity with issues of service organisation and development

Teaching Experience

Essential criteria

• Ability to teach clinical skills

Desirable criteria

• Experience of teaching basic clinical skills to undergraduates/post graduates
• Experience of supervising resident doctors
• Experience of teaching Lay groups and other staff groups

Language

Essential criteria

• Competent in English language both written and verbal

Personal Attributes

Essential criteria

• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to work in partnership to deliver a patient centred service
• Demonstrate an understanding and willingness to embrace user involvement
• Good interpersonal skills
• Enquiring, critical approach to work
• Ability to communicate with patients and relatives
• Commitment to continuing professional development
• Willingness to undertake additional professional responsibilities to local, regional or national levels
• Willingness to work with consultant colleagues and management to maintain and develop a comprehensive service
• Able to make own arrangements for travel between working sites
• Ability to be flexible to meet the needs of the team, the service and the Trust

Research Experience

Essential criteria

• Ability to contribute to change management
• Ability to apply research findings to clinical problems
• Ability to critically review research

Desirable criteria

• Publications in peer review journals

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