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Employment

Staff Specialist Palliative Care Physician

Name of Facility	Coffs Harbour Health Campus
Position Number	0470/08
Basis	Permanent Full Time
Salary	As per qualifications
Closing Date	20 November, 2009

Position Description

Purpose of Role:
To provide a medical, clinical and consultancy service in Palliative Care to inpatient and community based clients and their families within the Coffs/Clarence Network of the North Coast.

Role Responsibilites:

Clinical:
To provide medical speciality service to palliative care patients and families in hospitals, palliative care units and nursing homes and the communities of the Coffs/Clarence Network of North Coast Area Health Service.
To be responsible for the clinical governance of the palliative care service of the Coffs Clarence Network to ensure optimal standards of patient care.
To be responsible for the clinical care of adults and children in the terminal phases of their illness, usually from Chronic disease or Cancer.
To undertake procedures including IV cannulation, catheterisations, pleurocentesis, paracentesis and possible localised injections for symptom control.
To provide pain management and symptom control and provide advice accordingly.
To provide consultancy and support service to the general practitioners, palliative care nurse consultants, community nurses and others involved in the care of the palliative care patient.
To coordinate and provide leadership in developing a palliative care service model comprising a multidiscipliniary team - medical, nursing, allied health and volunteers.
To facilitate, where necessary, the appropriate referral of patients to other departments, agencies, hospitals or institutions.
To attend case management and other meetings as required.
To ensure notification of diseases as required by law. Maintain records and provide reports as required; collect and report Departmental and Community Health statistics; maintain records and provide reports as required.
Provide non-inpatient clinics as required including privately referred patients.
To liaise with other hospitals, universities, research institutions, and other institutions involved in the care of the palliative care patient so as to benefit from their knowledge and experience.
Research and Teaching:
To assist with the organisation and co-ordination of educational and support programs, relevant to the care of the palliative care patient.
Provision of education to post graduate medical students, Resident Medical Officers and involvement in medical training programs. Medical support for nursing and other health care professionals.
To be an active participant with the NSW Rural Medical School based at Coffs Harbour Health Campus.
Supervision:
Supervision of Junior Doctors allocated to the Coffs Clarence Network.
Supervision of Medical Students attached to the Rural School of Health, Coffs Harbour Health Campus.
Other responsibilities:
To provide expert advice to management on the requirements of the palliative care service including staff, equipment and buildings.
To be involved in the ongoing support of the palliative care volunteer service.
To be aware of and involved in the implementation of the North Coast Area Health Service Cancer and Palliative Care Strategic Plan.
To devise strategies to improve access to Palliative Care Service for indigenous communities.
To be involved in quality improvement program and accreditation process.
To advise upon and participate in appropriate drug and equipment trials.
To ensure that where possible close liaison with the general practitioner in support of them maintaining their role as primary carers of the palliative care patient.
To ensure that staff maintain a close and co-operative relationship with all others caring for the patient, especially the patient's family, the general practitioner and members of the Community Health Services involved in palliative care health.
To ensure representation of, the Palliative Care Service at appropriate committees and to represent the service in discussions with the community.
To represent the service at meetings of Medical Staff councils.
To maintain a close relationship and consultation with all visiting and salaried medical staff.
To establish and maintain relationships with the key external agencies, Division of GP's RACF's, maintain professional linkages with the national body, the Association of Palliative Medicine of NSW and the Palliative Care Association of NSW and the other appropriate authorities.

Essential Criteria

Eligible for registration with the NSW Medical Board.
Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and/or specialist recognition as provided for under the Health Insurance Act 1973 or the Staff Specialist (State) Award.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with the palliative care patients and families.
Demonstrated ability to work within and lead a multidisciplinary team.
Demonstrated skills in clinical teaching, research and in evaluation of professional practice service and delivery.
Demonstrated commitment to uphold the philosophies and objectives of the palliative care services.
Demonstrated commitment to maintaining professional education and clinical quality.

Enquiries

Mark Wilson Phone: (02) 6656 7023
Email: Mark.Wilson@ncahs.health.nsw.gov.au

How to Apply

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Application Package

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