Specialty Doctor in Forensic Psychiatry

This vacancy would suit either someone new to psychiatry or a more experienced candidate. Marlborough House Medium Secure Unit is located within the grounds of Milton Keynes General Hospital. The service currently has one more intensively nursed ward (Watling Ward) for men with 20 beds, and a more rehabilitation-oriented unit (Chaffron Ward) of 8 beds. The Specialty Doctor, in conjunction with a Core Trainee and Foundation Year 2 doctor, will provide input into both wards. The post-holder will be supervised by a consultant forensic psychiatrist. Free parking is available on site, along with a staff restaurant. Annual leave starts at 30 days a year plus bank holidays.

The Thames Valley Forensic Mental Health Service (TVFMHS) provides treatment in a range of inpatient settings across the region (Oxford, Aylesbury and Milton Keynes). In addition, supervision is provided to patients discharged from inpatient environments. The service also inputs into local prisons and provides services for the Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway in the community. Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust holds a lead role across the whole South-Central Region for forensic mental health services, as part of the developing New Care Model. All successful candidates will be subject to Criminal Records Bureau checks along with other relevant employment checks.

As a full-time Specialty Doctor, you will be caring for patients detained under the Mental Health Act and looked after in a Medium Secure Unit in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. The successful applicant will ensure that patients' needs are met through the delivery of high-quality care and offer a person-centred approach.

You will be working with multi-disciplinary teams at Marlborough House, for patients primarily from Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes, although also other areas should it be required, including Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Hampshire and Dorset.

The post holder will be expected to take an active part in the training programme and teaching sessions. Medical students are placed in clinical settings for three-week blocks during their fifth year of study, and this can occur at Marlborough House. There are also opportunities to develop links with the University of Buckingham Medical School. The doctor may also be expected to contribute to the development of other multi-disciplinary staff. They will maintain ongoing professional development through active membership of a PDP group and annual appraisal. Induction is arranged for all staff new to the Trust, through both the Trust's regular induction programme and in relation to the service with which they will work. The Trust expects all doctors to engage in Continuing Professional Development (CPD). CPD is supported by the Trust including access to study leave and expenses for attending conferences etc.

Please be aware that some posts may require prospective employees to undertake Management of Violence and Aggression Training, Breakaway Training and other training directly related to the job. When applying for a post please ensure that you are willing and able to complete this form of training.

Research & Audit

It is expected that the post holder will contribute to service-related audit projects with the support of their consultant, multi-disciplinary team and Trust audit department.

The TVFMHS is committed to working increasingly closely with Oxford University to develop academic forensic mental health. There is the opportunity to collaborate on research projects, with the forensic psychiatry department based at the Department of Psychiatry at the Warneford Hospital site in Oxford, led by Professor Seena Fazel.

On-Call Responsibilities

There are no on call responsibilities with this post

Job Planning

The doctor will participate in annual Job planning with the Forensic Associate Medical Director. There would be a job plan review involving bilateral consultation and negotiation in the event of any change to the job content or workload. Annual appraisal will be completed under the Trust appraisal process. The Consultant will ensure they are fit for revalidation.

The exact nature of the timetable will be agreed with the successful applicant by the Forensic Associate Medical Director. The split of direct clinical care to supporting professional activities will be 8.5 to 1.5 on a pro rata basis. SPA time is expected to include special interest clinical activities, CPD, Peer Group, teaching / training / supervision, governance and audit, service development / management / business planning, research and academia. The Trust has recently established a dedicated training program to facilitate CESR accreditation, which substantive SAS doctors may apply for.

Appropriately qualified applicants interested in this post are encouraged to contact Dr Robert Cornish, Associate Medical Director / Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, Oxford Clinic, Littlemore Mental Health Centre, Sandford Road, Littlemore, Oxford, OX4 4XN