Job Description

SPECIALTY DOCTOR PALLIATIVE MEDICINE

Job Type: Part-time, fixed term 12 months to cover shared parental leave

Location: Katharine House Hospice, Stafford

Salary: Up to 72,656.79 per annum, pro rata (90,821 per annum, full time equivalent)

Hours: Up to 30 hours per week (8 sessions)

Closing date: 15 December 2025

Interview date: week commencing 5 January 2026

About us

We are Katharine House Hospice, and we're dedicated to providing compassionate care to people in our community affected by progressive illnesses. Everyone here plays an integral role in making this possible.

We value people - so much so, it's one of our three key values as a charity.

We believe that our people are the heart of everything we do. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where every individual feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. We are seeking passionate individuals who share our values of People, Innovation and Excellence. If this sounds like you, then please get in touch.

What we offer

Flexible working
Flexibility on hours and days available

Annual leave
33 days per annum, which includes bank holidays (pro rata for part time), increasing after five and 10 years' service.

Pension scheme
We match contributions up to 7% to a NEST scheme. If you're currently contributing to the NHS pension scheme you can continue to do so.

Death in service benefit
Reassurance should the worst happen. 2 x salary to your family.

Employee assistance programme
Providing support for your wellbeing.

Training and development opportunities
Continuous learning and professional growth.

Occupational sick pay
Support during times of illness.

Healthcare cash benefit plan
Contributory plan to help cover health-related expenses.

Free on-site parking

Purpose and impact

Katharine House Hospice is a registered charity with an 8-bedded In-Patient unit, a Therapies and Wellbeing Unit with outpatient services, a Hospice at Home Service, and a Lymphoedema Clinic. We are looking to recruit a doctor(s) to provide day to day medical care, in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team, to patients and their carers for all clinical service

Katharine House Hospice is keen to promote palliative medicine in the wider community and is involved in undergraduate medical education to students from both Keele and Birmingham Universities and also offers educational support to resident doctors at the University Hospital of North Midlands. We have an active audit programme and new research strategy in place.

Part of the team

Reporting to the Medical Director, you will form part of a team comprising of onsite, doctors, Nurses, Healthcare Assistants and Volunteers, members of the multi-disciplinary team and administrative support team. All who will be responsible for the delivery of exceptionally high quality care to patients, carers, and their families at Katharine House Hospice.

Core Responsibilities

To provide day to day medical care, in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team, to patients and their carers for all clinical services within Katharine House Hospice. To admit new patients to the Inpatient Unit jointly with the nursing staff To review patients in the Therapies and Wellbeing Unit when needed To liaise with GPs, consultants and wider clinical MDT regarding patient care To undertake patient-related administration such as discharge letters and referrals as required To liaise with the Medical Examiner to complete death certificates, complete cremation forms and liaise with the Coroner when needed To participate in under-graduate medical student teaching, junior doctor training, and in-house teaching ward rounds To take part in clinical governance within the hospice and contribute to the senior clinicians team of staff involved in clinical project work

Need to have:

Full GMC registration and medical indemnity cover Experience of working in palliative medicine is desirable but not essential.

Need to demonstrate:

Clinical knowledge and skills Multidisciplinary collaboration Ethical and professional practice

Join us and make a difference

If you're passionate about people and want to contribute to a mission that matters, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now and help us continue to provide exceptional care and support to those who need it most.

If you'd like to know more about this role, without commitment, please contact Dr Caroline Bruckner-Holt, Medical Director on 01785 254645 email cbruckner-holt@khhospice.org.ukor David Fletcher, Director of Care on 01785 254645 email dfletcher@khhospice.org.uk

The closing date is

15th December 2025

however we may close this advert earlier, subject to response rates.

If you require any reasonable adjustment to participate in this process, please do not hesitate to contact HR on the number above.

Due to the nature of this role, an enhanced DBS clearance will be required.

How to apply

To the link below to submit an application via indeed.

Specialty Doctor

Area of Work:

Care Services

Responsible and Accountable to:

Medical Director

Mission

"We help local adults with complex, progressive illnesses from diagnosis to the end of life through free, high quality, specialist palliative care, advice and guidance, and we support those close to them."

Job Purpose in Outline

To review daily and manage the medical care of the existing patients in the Inpatient Unit, To admit new patients to the Inpatient Unit jointly with the nursing staff To review patients in the Therapies and Wellbeing Unit when needed To liaise with GPs, consultants and wider clinical MDT regarding patient care To undertake patient-related administration such as discharge letters and referrals as required To liase with the Medical Examiner to complete death certificates, complete cremation forms and liaise with the Coroner when needed To participate in under-graduate medical student teaching, junior doctor training, and in-house teaching ward rounds To take part in clinical governance within the hospice and contribute to the senior clinicians team of staff involved in clinical project work

Job purpose in detail

To provide day to day medical care, in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team, to patients and their carers for all clinical services within Katharine House Hospice. Including Joint admission of patients to the inpatient unit with the nursing team All aspects of clinical care whilst on the inpatient unit Liaise with patient's general practitioner and consultant(s) regarding their previous and on-going medical care Undertake patient-related administration to ensure successful discharge e.g. discharge letters, advance care planning documents and 'take home' medications and community authorisations Take part in the weekend on call rota for the inpatient unit Attend daily multi-disciplinary team patient handover meetings. To participate in research/evaluation, clinical governance and audit activities that contribute to the development of evidence-based practice and high standards of clinical care. To attend senior clinicians meetings. Contribute to teaching and training sessions, both formal and informal, which aid the development of clinical knowledge within the multi-disciplinary team. To assist in teaching of medical students and doctors in training as required. As required, attend and contribute to the weekly whole hospice multi-disciplinary team review of patients. Develop and maintain communication with other agencies involved in the provision of palliative care to patients and their carers thereby contributing to the delivery of co-ordinated and appropriate care for individuals referred to the hospice. To liase with the Medical Examiner to complete death certificates and, as necessary, complete cremation forms and liaise with the Coroner. Work with senior nursing staff to ensure that hospice referrals are managed appropriately and sensitively. To participate in the annual appraisal process. Complete mandatory training as required

Key Competencies and Skills Requirements

Qualifications

Essential

Full GMC registration

Experience and Skills

Essential

Experience in general medicine Good communication skills
Desirable

Experience in palliative medicine

Induction Requirements

Katharine House Hospice Induction course Work agreed number of sessions under the guidance of the Medical Director

Other Requirements

Full medical indemnity to cover work within Palliative Medicine.

Job Revision

This job description is not exhaustive and is subject to periodic revision in the light of service requirements or the post holder's personal development

Confidentiality

Patient and/or staff information is confidential. It is a condition of Katharine House Hospice employment that you will not use or disclose any confidential information obtained in the course of your duty. Any breach of confidence will be treated as misconduct and dealt with appropriately.

Infection Prevention and Control

In accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, the post holder will actively participate in the prevention and control of infection within the capacity of their role. The Act requires the post holder to attend infection prevention and control training on induction and at regular updates and to take responsibility for the practical application of the training in the course of their work. Infection prevention and control must be included in any personal development plan or appraisal.

Smoking

The hospice has a no smoking policy. All hospice premises are considered No Smoking Zones

All employees have a responsibility to abide by the health and safety practices and policies authorised by Katharine House Hospice.

This post requires the individual to consent to an enhanced disclosure by the Disclosure and Barring Service

PERSON SPECIFICATION - Specialty Doctor

Qualifications

Full GMC Registration - Essential Relevant Degree - Essential

Experience & Knowledge

Experience in general medicine - Essential Experience in palliative medicine - Desirable

Skills and attributes

Good communication skills - Essential Demonstrable clinical skills in palliative medicine - Essential Demonstrable ability to make clinical decisions - Essential Willingness to expand skills & knowledge through Personal Development Plan, annual appraisal and revalidation - Essential Computer literacy - Essential Understanding of current issues and initiatives relating to palliative care - Essential

Other

Full medical indemnity cover - Essential Confident manner - Essential Team Player - Essential Self-starter - Essential Flexible attitude - Essential Positive attitude - Essential A 'can do' approach - Essential
Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months

Pay: Up to 72,656.79 per year

Expected hours: No more than 30 per week

Benefits:

Free flu jabs Free parking Life insurance On-site parking
Application question(s):

Do you require Sponsorship? Please note we do not provide sponsorship Do you have experience of working in Palliative Medicine? Do you have full GMC Registration and medical indemnity cover?
Work Location: In person