Locum Consultant Psychiatrist in Early Intervention in Psychosis

PATH is the Early Intervention in Psychosis service covering Hertfordshire. The post holder is required to cover South-West of Hertfordshire with the 2 hubs of Watford and Borehamwood. Currently, there is one senior team consultant, and one higher trainee is attached to this post. All the service users will be care coordinated, the postholder is not expected to have a direct out-patient clinic caseload but to support care coordinators to manage clients in the community under the CPA framework.
They will be responsible for about 175 services users. Approximately 5 to 8 of them on community treatment order, section 17a MHA. There are 20 mini teams operating in the service country-wide with about 700 service users in total. This is an exciting opportunity to develop new service for people who are experiencing a first episode of psychosis.
There is a significant evidence base to support the interventions used to promote recovery in this patient population that includes medication, psychological interventions and family work. The post holder will be involved in the assessment and management of a wide range of early onset of psychosis presentations.
Main duties of the job
To manage, appraise and give professional supervision to junior medical staff as agreed by consultant colleagues and the medical director and in accordance with the Trust\’s personnel policies and procedures. This may include assessing competences under the Modernising Medical Careers framework.
To ensure that junior medical staff working with the post holder operate within the parameters of the New Deal and are Working Time Directive compliant.
To undertake the administrative duties associated with the care of patients.
To record clinical activity accurately and comprehensively and submit this promptly to the Information Department.
To participate in service and business planning activity for the locality and, as appropriate, for the whole mental health service.
About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an exceptional organisation with big ambitions, our aim it to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disabilities within the UK.
With a workforce of over 4,300 people and an annual income of some £330 million this year, the Trust provides integrated health and social care services through a network of community and inpatient settings, serving diverse communities across Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire and Norfolk. As a University NHS Foundation Trust, HPFT continues to develop strong links with the University of Hertfordshire, providing excellent learning and development opportunities, as well as strengthening our clinical research capability.
Whilst it is a challenging period of the NHS, there has never been a more exciting time to join HPFT following our CQC rating of Outstanding award in 2019. We are currently undertaking our Great Together strategy for 2023 to 2028. This strategy has been meticulously developed and co-produced in collaboration with our service users, carers, staff, partners, and local communities. It gives us a well-defined roadmap to realise our vision of providing exceptional care and achieving outstanding outcomes. We are dedicated to addressing inequalities and equity, developing our workforce, and fostering a dynamic learning environment, all while engaging in robust partnerships to deliver the highest quality care.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To participate in annual appraisal for consultants.
To attend and participate in the academic programme of the Trust and the team including lectures and seminars as part of the internal CPD programme.
To maintain professional registration with the General Medical Council, Mental Health Act Section 12(2) approval, and to abide by professional codes of conduct.
To participate annually in a job plan review with the clinical manager, which will include consultation with a relevant manager in order to ensure that the post is developed to take into account changes in service configuration and delivery associated with modernisation. To work with local managers and professional colleagues in ensuring the efficient running of services and share with consultant colleagues in the medical contribution to management.
To comply with the Trust\’s agreed policies, procedures, standing orders and financial instructions, and to take an active role in the financial management of the service and support the medical director and other managers in preparing plans for services.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• MB BS or equivalent medical qualification.
• MRCPsych OR MRCPsych equivalent approved by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Desirable

• Qualification or higher degree in medical education, clinical research or management.
• Relevant higher degree, e.g. MD, PhD, MSc or other additional clinical qualifications .

Eligibility
Essential

• Fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practise at the time of appointment.
• CCT in Psychiatry OR Inclusion on the GMC Specialist Register in psychiatry OR within six months of achieving CCT/CESR at the time of interview.

Desirable

• In good standing with GMC with respect to warning and conditions on practice.

Clinical Skills, Knowledge & Experience
Essential

• Experience of the full range of clinical responsibilities expected of a consultant in general adult psychiatry.
• Experience of close collaborative working with social care and other agencies.
• Experience of working with service users who have complex needs within Early Intervention in Psychosis.
• Excellent clinical skills using bio-psycho-social perspective and wide medical knowledge.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Able to manage clinical complexity and uncertainty.
• Makes decisions based on evidence and experience including the contribution of others.

Desirable

• Wide range of specialist and sub-specialist experience relevant to post within NHS or comparable service.
• Excellent degree of medical knowledge in relation to Early Intervention in Psychosis.

Academic Skills Lifelong Learning
Essential

• Able to deliver undergraduate or postgraduate teaching and training.
• Participated in continuous professional development.
• Participated in research or service evaluation.
• Able to use and appraise clinical evidence.
• Has actively participated in clinical audit.
• Holds a full valid driving license and access to a car (Unless you have a disability as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995).

Desirable

• Able to plan and deliver undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and training relevant to this post.
• Reflected on purpose of CPD undertaken.
• Experienced in clinical research and / or service evaluation.
• Evidence of achievement in education, research, audit and service improvement: awards, prizes, presentations and publications.
• Has led clinical audits leading to service change.
• Experience of organising and overseeing psychotherapy training program for psychiatry trainees.

367-HPFT-MEDICAL-488-B