Overview
We are currently seeking a Consultant Psychiatrist to join our busy Acute and Urgent Care Division in Hertfordshire. The post holder will work alongside a multi-disciplinary team, including SAS & Trainee doctors allocated to SWCRHTT. The role involves active and regular involvement in assessment and care programming for service users in crisis or stepping down from inpatient services. The post holder will be based at Colne House Watford and will be expected to perform regular home visits across the catchment area. The successful candidate will support a multidisciplinary team in providing diagnostic assessments and treatment for patients with severe, complex, and high-risk psychiatric conditions.
The Consultant is expected to undertake or support detailed assessments of clinical risks and liaise closely with community and acute care pathway colleagues, GPs and carers. The post holder is also expected to provide regular supervision to junior staff (Trainees/SAS/Associate specialists).
Responsibilities
* Providing Clinical Leadership to the multi-disciplinary team
* Providing expert clinical input (including clinical assessment) for patients with complex presentations
* Oversight of initiating clinical treatment plans for service users waiting for mental health admission
* Regular review of service users waiting for MH admission to ensure review of changing needs and implement appropriate changes to management plans to offer least restrictive treatment options
* Multi-agency support and management of frequent attenders to the acute pathway
* Joint work with Mental Health Liaison teams, Mental Health Urgent Care Centre, Adult Community Mental Health teams in Watford and Borehamwood, PATH first-episode psychosis teams and inpatient wards to support smooth transitions between services
* Collaborate with partner organisations in the wider system to support joined-up working, policy development and safe practice, including local Drug & Alcohol service providers (e.g., CGL) and housing, police, probation, primary care, ambulance services and voluntary sector providers as needed
* Joint managerial oversight of performance, quality and safety of the service with Team Leaders and Service Manager
* Attend regular patient flow meetings within HPFT and relevant Acute Trusts as needed; oversee clinical development & training of the team with team leaders
* Clinical supervision of junior medical staff in the team
* Work with Enhanced patient flow teams, inpatient teams and crisis/community teams for smooth handover of treatment plans when transferring service users
* Contribute to wider workforce development (teaching/training on MH issues) to the general hospital workforce
* Lead local team meetings and practice governance meetings
* Participate in Trust-wide teaching programs and contribute to Trust-wide Research activities
* Undertake administrative duties related to patient care and record clinical activity accurately and timely
* Participate in annual appraisal for consultants and attend/participate in the Trust’s academic programme and internal CPD programme
* Maintain GMC registration and related approvals (e.g., MH Act Section 12(2)) and abide by professional codes of conduct
* Participate in job plan reviews with the clinical manager to adapt to service changes; cooperate with local managers and colleagues to ensure efficient running of services
* Comply with the Trust’s policies, procedures, standing orders and financial instructions; contribute to financial management of the service
Qualifications
* MB BS or equivalent medical qualification
* MRCPsych OR MRCPsych equivalent approved by the Royal College of Psychiatrists
* Fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practise at the time of appointment
Desirable criteria
* Qualification or higher degree in medical education, clinical research or management
* Higher degree (e.g., MD, PhD, MSc) or other additional clinical qualifications
* CCT in Psychiatry; OR inclusion on the GMC Specialist Register in psychiatry; OR within six months of achieving CCT/CESR at time of interview
* Section 12
* Excellent clinical skills and ability to work with a bio-psycho-social approach; strong communication skills
* Ability to manage clinical complexity and uncertainty; evidence-based decision making
* Willingness and ability to contribute to undergraduate/postgraduate teaching and training
* Experience in clinical audit, research or service evaluation; ability to use and appraise clinical evidence
* Experience of leading clinical audits resulting in service change
* Driving license and access to a car (subject to disability considerations); ability to plan and deliver teaching and training related to this post
* Evidence of continuous professional development and involvement in CPD activities
* Experience of working with service users with complex needs within Adult Psychiatry
* Eligibility considerations for visa sponsorship if applicable
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding provider of mental health and learning disability services with strong links to the University of Hertfordshire. HPFT values staff development, wellbeing, and a compassionate, professional culture. This recruitment aims to support our mission to deliver high-quality, equitable care across our services.
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