Published on: April 22, 2025

Defeat NCD India Foundation invites applications to the post of Palliative Care Physician at Goa.

Job Title: Palliative Care Physician

Location: Goa

Organization: Defeat NCD India Foundation

Reports To: Team Lead & in close coordination with GMC Head of Oncology Department

Contract: One-year consultancy contract, renewable annually based on performance, within the three-year project duration.

Stakeholders: Multi Disciplinary Team Members in the program, DNCD & GMC (within the organisation) Primary Care Professionals, Hospital Colleagues, CBOs (Outside the organisation)

Remuneration: Around INR 1 Lakh (To be determined based on experience and qualification

Project Context:

This role of ‘Palliative Care Physician’ is part of Defeat-NCD India Foundation’s Palliative Care Programme. A 3-year initiative with Goa Medical College (GMC) is foreseen to establish OPD, IPD, day-care, and home-based palliative care services. Key objectives include:

• Improving quality of life for patients with life-threatening illnesses.
• Reducing hospital readmissions through community-based care.
• Strengthening training for healthcare professionals and caregivers.

The project also focuses on raising awareness and enhancing palliative care capacity in primary and secondary healthcare settings and promoting policy-level advocacy to integrate palliative care into Goa’s health system.

Job Description:

>>>Identify and address the serious health-related distress of patients registered at the institution; develop and maintain related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs):

• Help identify patients with palliative care needs address their concerns and ensure continuity of care up to and including end-of-life care and bereavement support through out-patient, in-patient, and home-based care settings.
• Provide consultation in palliative care, and assess the patients comprehensively – physical, emotional, social and spiritual
• Provide and execute a clinical care plan for managing the concerns
• Develop and coordinate individualized treatment plans in collaboration with patients, families and other healthcare providers
• Provide supportive care to the patient and family 
• Lead quality improvement initiatives in palliative care services.
• Maintain adequate documentation of patient data and be able to contribute towards research
• Facilitate adequate communication with patient and family for empowering autonomy and clarity on goals of care
• and meet the general healthcare needs of the patient across settings including home-based care
  
  
  >>> Ensure safe and appropriate use of Essential narcotic drugs 
  
  
• Develop and execute processes to improve access and availability of opioid analgesics for medical use while preventing misuse and diversion
• Ensure updated knowledge of the medical use of opioids as per the Drug policy of India 
• Complete the processes and ensure that the institution is an RMI as per the NDPS Act
• Stock, and dispense Essential narcotic drugs and maintain their records as mandated by the NDPS Act for an RMI
• Apply specific measures and procedures in the institution to ensure safe use of opioids 
• Take leadership in training the team members and other professional personnel in the appropriate use of ENDs
• Use the ENDs to ensure an uninterrupted supply of essential medications and supplies for high-quality care
  
  
  >>> Develop dynamic multi-disciplinary team (MDT) care for the registered patient
  
  
• Ensuring high-quality patient care by involving competent professionals from other disciplines and incorporating multi-disciplinary care as part of the palliative care services 
• Working with the MDT, evolve a shared care plan and regularly review the same to ensure quality of life
• Empower and support MDT members to develop in their respective discipline
  
  >>>Lead the educational activities of the team, the institution, and the community
  
  
• Provide guidance and training to healthcare professionals internally within the organization and externally about palliative care practices and principles
• Initiate and maintain relevant awareness and educational activities to integrate care concepts within the culture of the institution and professional community. Participate in advocacy efforts and community empowerment 
• Organize the psychosocial and supportive programs for the patients and the caregivers
  
  
  >>>Governance and reporting
  
  
• Identify opportunities for growth of the PC unit and submit proposals accordingly to the governance team
• Escalate administrative concerns promptly suggesting solutions 
• Prepare periodic reports on the activities of the PC unit and submit reports as per the template to the governance team
  
  
  >>>Perform other duties as required and assigned by management
  
  
  

Job Requirements

Qualifications: 
MBBS/MD- Medical subject
Fellowship/ Certificate/ Diploma in Palliative care

Desirable:
Working in a diverse setting hospital. Primary care clinics
Passionate about patient care 

Experience
Minimum of 5 years of working in the healthcare settings

Skills/Competencies:

• Exemplify ethical behaviour, adhere to the practice of respect, confidentiality, beneficence and non-maleficence regarding patients, families, staff, and the organization.
• Exemplify respectful behaviour with all members of the team and foster the dignity of each member in their role. 
• Educate patients /family on clinical condition, hands-on care needs, progress of disease, prognosis
• Discuss and provide end-of-life care with empathy and religious/cultural sensitivity
• Be available out-of-hours – for phone follow-up/triage
• Update knowledge and skills of the science continuously
• Be the source of knowledge and support to the whole team
• Perform other duties as required and report to the management

Note: The candidate should be eligible to work in India.

How to apply: 

Send your CV and a motivation letter explaining how you think your skills and experience make you a strong candidate for this position to india@defeat-ncd.org and secretariat@defeat-ncd.org quoting the subject line : “Palliative Care Physician ”

For other openings at different locations, please visit our Careers page.