Consultant Psychiatrist

Job overview

The Trust is seeking a consultant psychiatrist to join the Psychological Medicine Team. This is an existing vacancy which is currently being covered by a locum.

The psychological medicine in Primary Care team is made up of 1.5 WTE consultant psychiatrists (of which this post contributes 0.7), 1.8 WTE psychologists, 1 WTE band 7 team lead/ liaison practitioner and 7 WTE band 6 liaison practitioners.

This post provides psychiatric support to 4 of 8 neighbourhood's, with one being shared with the other psychiatrist due to demand in that neighbourhood. The team accepts on average 4-6 referrals per week, and responsibility for assessment is shared between psychiatric and psychology colleagues based on needs identified in the referral. The post holder will be expected to pick up 1-2 people for assessment per week, and is expected to complete approximately 40- 50 assessment and formulations (taking up to 4 appointments) per year, of which approximately one third will then be signposted on to alternative services with a care plan, and two thirds will enter case management. Case management (lasting 12-18 months) is primarily delivered by the liaison practitioners, with support from the post holder, and the post holder will be responsible for approximately 100 patients at any one time who are open for case management.

Main duties of the job

The broad aim of ‘Psychological Medicine in Primary Care’ is to help support Primary Care, Neighbourhood Teams and local Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) services (Healthy Minds) to improve the care of those with medically unexplained symptoms, long-term conditions and complex psychological/ psychiatric difficulties. The aim is to bridge the gap between physical and mental health care and primary and secondary care.

This will involve developing 2 main strands:

1. Continuing to work with groups of GP practices across the borough of Stockport providing education, supervision and consultation for people with persistent physical symptoms and personality-related difficulties. The role will also link in with local IAPT services.
2. An educational component evaluating and developing the skills of health and social staff across the borough of Stockport in this clinical area. This includes IAPT staff and primary care staff.

The role will include implementation, delivery and evaluation of the service by working closely with the other clinicians and managers involved and supported by the Psychological Medicine Service.

Working for our organisation

The post holder will work alongside an existing consultant psychiatrist and medical psychotherapist (7PAs) to provide consultation for and liaison with GP practices and neighbourhood practitioners across Stockport using a collaborative care model. This will be for patients with medically unexplained symptoms, long-term conditions and complex psychological/psychiatric difficulties including personality disorders. This will include those aged 16 years and above with high levels of complexity who may be at high risk of harm, on complex poly-pharmacy and where diagnosis/formulation is needed. Outcomes are a key performance indicator.

The post holder will liaise with Primary Care clinicians and managers and Primary (e.g. IAPT) and Secondary Care Mental Health Services (such as psychiatrists, physician colleagues and substance misuse services) amongst others. There will also be liaison with clinicians working in primary care, GPs, practice nursing staff and community healthcare staff.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post is based with the Psychological Medicine in Primary Care Service, in Stockport.

The broad aim of ‘Psychological Medicine in Primary Care’ is to help support Primary Care, Neighbourhood Teams and local Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) services (Healthy Minds) to improve the care of those with medically unexplained symptoms, long-term conditions and complex psychological/ psychiatric difficulties. The aim is to bridge the gap between physical and mental health care and primary and secondary care.

This will involve developing 2 main strands:

1. Continuing to work with groups of GP practices across the borough of Stockport providing education, supervision and consultation for people with persistent physical symptoms and personality-related difficulties. The role will also link in with local IAPT services.
2. An educational component evaluating and developing the skills of health and social staff across the borough of Stockport in this clinical area. This includes IAPT staff and primary care staff.

The role will include implementation, delivery and evaluation of the service by working closely with the other clinicians and managers involved and supported by the Psychological Medicine Service.

The post holder will work alongside an existing consultant psychiatrist to provide consultation for and liaison with GP practices and neighbourhood practitioners across Stockport using a collaborative care model. This will be for patients with medically unexplained symptoms, long-term conditions and complex psychological/psychiatric difficulties including personality disorders. This will include those aged 16 years and above with high levels of complexity who may be at high risk of harm, on complex poly-pharmacy and where diagnosis/formulation is needed. Outcomes are a key performance indicator.

The post holder will liaise with Primary Care clinicians and managers and Primary (e.g. IAPT) and Secondary Care Mental Health Services (such as psychiatrists, physician colleagues and substance misuse services) amongst others. There will also be liaison with clinicians working in primary care, GPs, practice nursing staff and community healthcare staff.

In addition to these principal areas of clinical work, the post holder will have other responsibilities including: Compliance with legal obligations covering clinical practice (e.g. Mental Health Act and Code of Practice, Mental Capacity Act and The Children Act etc.)

• Compliance with proper and safe discharge procedures for inpatients (e.g. in line with the Department of Health Guidelines on Discharge and Caring for people: The Care Programme Approach)
• A commitment to ensuring that people from all ethnic groups have equitable access to appropriate services.
• Ensuring successful multidisciplinary working
• Maintaining good relationships with General Practitioners, the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Social Services, and voluntary sector organisations
• Compliance with procedures whereby doctors report concerns about the professional conduct of competence of medical colleagues
• Compliance with Trust procedures that involve users in their care
• Joining the consultant on call rota at the Stepping Hill Hospital – at present 1 in 13 (paid at category A)
• Participating in medical and multidisciplinary audit and other procedures for Clinical Governance
• Participating in the teaching of medical students attached to the service
• Participating in the Academic Programme organised by the Local Tutor
• Compliance with the regulations of the Royal College of Psychiatrists on continuing medical education
• Compliance with confidentiality as advised by professional and Department of Health Guidelines

Consultants have continuing responsibility for the care of patients in their charge and for the proper functioning of their departments. They are expected to undertake the administrative duties associated with the care of their patients and the running of their clinical departments.

All consultants take responsibility, both singly and corporately, for the management of junior medical staff. In particular, they are responsible for approving and helping to monitor annual and study leave for their own junior staff, and for assisting the Lead Consultant in arranging locum staff when needed. Consultants are part of the management structure within the Unit. It is expected that the post holder will take an active part in the weekly meetings of the Stockport consultant group and in particular will liaise closely with colleagues in general adult psychiatry.

Person specification Essential Essential criteria

• Consultant

Desirable criteria

• Consultant

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