Job requirements
Essential
24 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Health
Meets professional health requirements (in line with GMC standards in Good Medical Practice)
- Eligibility
Full GMC Registration (GMC Licence to Practice is mandatory before employment commences)
- Eligibility
Evidence of achievement of Foundation competencies by time of appointment in line with GMC standards in Good Medical Practice including: - Good clinical care - Maintaining good medical practice - Good relationships and communication with patients - Good working relationships with colleagues - Good teaching and training - Professional behaviour and probity - Delivery of good acute clinical care
- Eligibility
Evidence of achievement of ST1/CT1 competences in a relevant specialty at time of application and likelihood of achieving ST2/CT2 competences in a relevant specialty by the start date of the post.
- Eligibility
To be eligible to work at this grade the appointee must have a minimum of 2 years clinical experience, with broad medical experience and some experience with managing palliative care patients.
- Eligibility
Eligibility to work in the UK.
- Qualifications
MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
- Qualifications
Relevant postgraduate qualification MRCP Part 1 or equivalent
- Clinical Skills
Relevant specialty clinical knowledge: capacity to apply sound clinical knowledge relevant to the job.
- Clinical Skills
Clinical judgement: experience in making clinical decisions and managing risk. Knows when to seek help, able to prioritise clinical need.
- Clinical Skills
Practical skills: shows aptitude for practical skills, required for the job.
- Clinical Skills
Proven ability to work effectively in different clinical settings required in the job.
- Language Skills
All applicants to have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English that are adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues, which could be demonstrated by one of the following: - Applicants have undertaken undergraduate medical training in English - Applicants have scores in the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or equivalent equal to those required for recruitment to MMC specialty training programmes.
- Language Skills
If applicants believe that they have adequate communication skills but do not fit into one of the examples they need to provide evidence.
- Clinical Governance
Clinical governance: Capacity to be alert to dangers or problems. Demonstrates awareness of good decision making. Aware of own limitations. Track record of engaging in clinical governance: reporting errors, learning from errors.
- Clinical Governance
Audit: evidence of active participation in audit.
- Clinical Governance
Teaching: evidence of interest and experience in teaching where required in the job.
- Fitness to practise
Applicant’s knowledge is up to date and fit to practise safely
- Specialty specific skills related to the post
Good understanding of the principles underlying palliative care practice.
- Specialty specific skills related to the post
Basic or higher knowledge of 1st line palliative care symptom management steps.
- Specialty specific skills related to the post
Excellent communication skills, including in difficult circumstances.
- Specialty specific skills related to the post
Ability to summarise and present clinical cases for effective handover.
- Specialty specific skills related to the post
Competent and safe prescriber, including of controlled drugs.
- Specialty specific skills related to the post
Ability to cooperate in a democratic team environment.
Desirable
4 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Eligibility
Experience working in a specialist palliative care team (in hospital, community or hospice settings)
- Qualifications
MRCP Part II Written or PACES or equivalent.
- Qualifications
Postgraduate qualification relevant to palliative medicine or related specialty
- Clinical Governance
Demonstrates understanding of the principles of research, evidence of relevant academic and research achievements.
Job overview
This post is for a Specialty Doctor in Palliative Care.
It would be suitable for doctors who are fully registered with a license to practice, and who have at least 2 years clinical experience post-registration. Essential and desirable criteria are listed under ‘person specifications’ below.
This post is particularly suitable for doctors who have an interest in any of the following:
- Pursuing a career in Palliative Medicine and/or Frailty and/or Elderly Care
- Working across the interface between hospital and community care
- Acquiring excellent advanced communication skills
- Working in a dynamic environment
- Working within a multi-disciplinary team
Main duties of the job
- Working collaboratively with other members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT): MDT working is a key component of working in the department. The post holder will work closely with the palliative care Clinical Nurse Specialists, with the End of Life Care Nurses, and with any other members of the MDT.
- Reviewing patients referred to the Specialist Palliative Care Team (SPCT) on any ward (including ED) within Luton & Dunstable Hospital (LDH). This will include new patient assessments and reviews of patients on the team’s caseload.
- As needed, reviewing patients alone or with another member of the SPCT.
- Electronic prescribing of medications for symptom management for patients on the SPCT caseload.
- Leading and/or attending family meetings as required.
- Managing complex communication including breaking bad news, advance care planning, managing the dying phase and more.
- Promptly escalating and/or highlighting the need for senior support and/or review for any of the patients on the SPCT caseload.
- Liaising with medical and surgical teams within LDH. This could include discussing patients on the SPCT caseload, discussing new or potential referrals, and providing SPC advice.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- Duties and Responsibilities
- Providing care to patients registered with the palliative virtual ward (PVW), who will be receiving hospital care but residing in the community. This could include home visits alone and/or with another member of the MDT, as appropriate, and in line with the PVW Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
- For patients on the PVW, acting as the first point of call for medical advice for community CNSs and other non-medical healthcare professionals.
- Attending the weekly SPC MDT.
- When needed, attending the morning pan-Bedfordshire SPC huddle.
- Supporting the consultant and other members of the MDT in any other activities relating to the clinical work. This could include participation in teaching and training of multi-disciplinary staff in hospital and/or the community, clinical audit, other quality improvement activities, reviewing guidelines and more.
- Keeping clear and accurate clinical notes (in line with Trust policies and GMC guidance) in relation to all clinical activity, and on all appropriate IT systems as specified by the SPCT. These will include at least NerveCentre and Systmone.
- Making onward referrals (internal and external) for patients on the SPCT or PVW caseloads, as appropriate.
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
WhatsApp job alerts
Get instant WhatsApp alerts for Senior Doctor roles in Luton
Create your Job Clerk account first. We'll collect your alert preferences during onboarding and help you turn on WhatsApp notifications for matching healthcare roles.
Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Specialty Doctor in Palliative care with Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Luton, England. It is listed as a Senior Medical doctor Palliative Medicine role. The advertised salary is £63696.00 to £102689.00. The contract type is Fixed term: 12 months (FTC for 12 months). The application deadline is 29 Oct 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (15 Oct 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHSjob search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
For more context, review related Job Clerk pages for the same profession, band or location where they exist, then use the application-support guides to tailor your statement and prepare for interview.