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An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Consultant Psychiatrist in Older People's Mental Health to join a well-established community mental health service providing specialist care to older adults across the region.
This is a new substantive consultant post created as part of changes to the way community mental health services for older adults are delivered. The successful candidate will provide senior clinical leadership within the countywide Community Older People's Mental Health service, working closely with multidisciplinary teams, memory assessment services, primary care and other specialist services.
The post is full-time at 10 PAs, comprising 7.5 PAs of Direct Clinical Care and 2.5 PAs of Supporting Professional Activities. Part-time and job-share arrangements may be considered, and an additional SPA may be available for enhanced teaching, research or management responsibilities.
The service supports a large community population of older adults and is delivered through established multidisciplinary teams alongside countywide Memory Assessment and Intensive Dementia Support services. The post holder will work collaboratively across these services to provide holistic, patient-centred care.
This post has no compulsory on-call requirement. The successful candidate may, however, opt to participate in the senior out-of-hours rota, subject to availability.

Main Duties of the Job

The successful candidate will:

• Provide specialist assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions affecting older adults in the community.
• Provide expert clinical advice and support to community multidisciplinary teams.
• Attend and contribute to multidisciplinary team meetings and case discussions.
• Maintain an appropriate community caseload while providing senior clinical input to complex cases.
• Run regular outpatient/community clinics.
• Undertake domiciliary visits where clinically required.
• Work closely with the Memory Assessment Service to assess and manage patients with cognitive impairment and dementia.
• Work collaboratively with primary care colleagues, providing advice and support around diagnosis and management.
• Act as Responsible Clinician for community patients subject to compulsory treatment under the Mental Health Act.
• Undertake Mental Health Act assessments as an approved Section 12 doctor where required.
• Provide Mental Capacity Act Section 49 reports where appropriate.
• Provide visible and effective clinical leadership within the community mental health service.
• Work collaboratively with inpatient colleagues to support safe admission, discharge and continuity of care.
• Contribute to service development and the continued improvement of community older people's mental health services.
• Provide mutual cross-cover for planned leave with other medical colleagues.
• Participate in peer supervision, case-based discussion and continuing professional development.
• Undertake annual appraisal and job plan reviews.
• Comply with professional, clinical governance and organisational requirements.

Clinical Role

The post holder will work as part of an established multidisciplinary Community Older People's Mental Health service, supported by specialist nursing, psychology, occupational therapy, community support and administrative colleagues.
The service works closely with countywide Memory Assessment and Intensive Dementia Support services, as well as integrated community teams. This provides opportunities for closer integration between mental and physical healthcare and between primary and secondary care.
The clinical model emphasises multidisciplinary assessment and team-based decision-making. Community teams undertake most initial assessments, with the consultant providing senior clinical advice, assessment, and treatment for patients requiring specialist psychiatric input.
The consultant will hold regular clinics and undertake domiciliary assessments where required.

Mental Health & Capacity Responsibilities

The post holder will:

• Act as Responsible Clinician for appropriate community patients subject to Community Treatment Orders.
• Undertake Mental Health Act assessments.
• Maintain Section 12 approval or obtain approval where eligible.
• Provide Mental Capacity Act Section 49 reports where required.
• Support colleagues with complex mental health and capacity legislation matters.
• Ensure safe transitions between community and inpatient services.

Clinical Leadership & Service Development

The successful candidate will have an opportunity to contribute to the continued development of countywide Older People's Mental Health services.
Responsibilities include:

• Providing clear clinical leadership within the community service.
• Supporting service transformation and development.
• Working collaboratively with clinical and operational colleagues.
• Contributing to planning and implementation of improved models of care.
• Supporting closer integration between mental health, physical health, primary care and community services.
• Participating in clinical governance, audit and quality improvement.
• Contributing to the strategic development of Older People's Mental Health services.

Education, CPD & Research

The service supports continuing professional development and peer supervision. The post holder will be expected to:

• Participate in an appropriate consultant peer group.
• Undertake regular case-based discussion and peer supervision.
• Maintain professional development relevant to Older People's Mental Health.
• Participate in annual appraisal and revalidation.
• Contribute to postgraduate and undergraduate teaching where appropriate.
• Support the development of junior doctors and trainees.
• Participate in clinical audit and quality improvement.
• Engage with research opportunities where appropriate.

The source JD confirms access to postgraduate teaching, research opportunities and opportunities to become involved in educational supervision and medical student teaching.

 

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Full GMC registration with a licence to practise.
• Entry on the GMC Specialist Register or eligibility for entry within six months of interview via CCT or CESR.
• Mental Health Act Approved Clinician / Section 12 approval, or eligibility and willingness to obtain these approvals.

Desirable

• MRCPsych.
• Accreditation for training higher trainees or junior doctors.
• Further professional qualifications such as MRCP or DGM.
• A higher degree, such as a Master's degree.

 

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Significant experience assessing and managing patients in older people's community psychiatry.
• Ability to provide expert clinical care to older adults.
• Particular understanding of caring for and treating frail older adults in the community.
• Clear understanding of Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act legislation and its application to community care.

Desirable

• Three years' supervised training in an appropriate ST4–6 equivalent programme.
• Broad specialist and subspecialist experience relevant to Older People's Mental Health.
• Experience within an NHS or comparable service.
• Formal training or qualifications in leadership or organisational development.
• Experience of service development, particularly within Older People's Mental Health services.

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to communicate sensitively and empathetically with patients, carers, relatives and colleagues.
• Strong clinical leadership and professional judgement.
• Ability to manage time effectively and organise clinical activity.
• Ability to manage challenging situations calmly and professionally.
• Commitment to clinical governance, audit and continuing medical education.
• Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and patient-centred care.

Apply now