Job Description

This post is in our National Psychosis Unit, our innovative multidisciplinary clinical service which provides evidence-based pharmacological, psychological and social interventions to adults who have failed to respond to standard treatments for their complex psychotic illness. The service specialises in expert, evidence-based treatment for people with complex and co-morbid psychosis, enhancing quality of life through recovery and substantially reducing the risk of readmission or expensive long-term costs.



The unit is designed to take advantage of the close links between the Trust and the IoPPN and all clinicians are expected to be research aware and/or active. The service is set up to incorporate sharing of evidence-based approaches with prompt dissemination of good and effective practice, nationally and internationally. The service sees patients from all over the country.



We are seeking a junior doctor with an interest in complex psychosis, psychopharmacology and physical health to join the team. The post-holder will be responsible for supporting the medical care of our inpatients on the Bethlem site and for outpatient assessments.



The main duties are to work as part of our expert multi-disciplinary team to provide medical input to the complex patients served by the National Psychosis Service, as detailed in the .



1. To provide medical input to the National Psychosis service. During working hours the doctor will have responsibility for clinical assessment and decision making



2. This will include assessment and mental state and physical examination and where necessary appropriate investigations for all clients.



4. The doctor will be responsible for record keeping including documentation of assessment and communication/ liaison with other agencies including primary care and other mental health teams.



5. The doctor will support the wider staff team on the NPU. There will be opportunities to contribute to clinical governance, and formal and informal teaching.



6. The doctor would be expected to be available to work 8 clinical sessions on the unit. The doctor will be able to take time for professional development as agreed with the Consultant Psychiatrist.



8. The doctor will receive clinical supervision from a named Consultant Psychiatrist each week.



This National Psychosis Service specialises in expert, evidence-based treatment for people with complex and co-morbid psychosis, designed to take advantage of the close links between the Trust and the IoPPN. Our culture is founded upon effective partnership working and close working relationships with staff, service users and their families/carers. We strive to deliver consistently high-quality care through our high performing, dedicated & skillful workforce, which you could now join.



The South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust provides a full range of local mental health services as well as national & specialist outpatient services. Our service works closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience and the Trust is part of our Academic Health Sciences Centre, King's Health Partners www.kingshealthpartners.org. King's Health Partners is committed to a tripartite mission of excellence across the clinical, research and educational activity.



The South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust is committed to innovation, effective interventions and improved service user outcomes. The Trust has a broad range of staff in all disciplines with the widest range of skills and interests that provides many opportunities for new Psychiatrists to thrive and develop.



The Trust's core value states that 'everything we do is to improve the experience of people using our services and to promote mental health and well-being for all'.



This job description is an outline of the key tasks and responsibilities of the post; the post-holder may sometimes be required to undertake additional duties appropriate to the pay band. The post may change over time to reflect the developing needs of the Trust and its services, as well as the personal development of the post-holder.



The post-holder will be expected to maintain a professional working environment and to be approachable and supportive with colleagues work alongside the team to provide high quality medical and psychiatric assessment and care for patients. The below outline lists the main duties and responsibilities of the post but is not exhaustive.

The post-holder will:

Provide medical care for National Psychosis inpatients in Fitzmary 2 ward and assessments for those referred to the National Psychosis Clinic, attending the Maudsley NPU panel. Establish a reliable and accessible work schedule with the team during work hours, and be flexible and responsive to the needs of the service and the patients as necessary Provide assessment, risk assessment and management of patients with complex treatment resistant psychosis. To contribute to matters related to ward clinical governance in collaboration with the FM2 ward manager, the Consultant clinical lead and the professional leads. To work with senior managers and nurses, as well as other staff, to ensure that a high quality safe clinical service is provided to all patients and to participate in and spearhead quality improvement activities. To work flexibly and creatively as part of a multidisciplinary team promoting informed risk taking and anti-discriminatory practice. To liaise with external funding bodies and placement providers concerning admissions and discharges, using the CPA framework where appropriate. To liaise with medical colleagues concerning physical health care where needed To provide cover for colleagues when they are on leave. To take part in teaching, research, audit and service improvement. The Psychosis CAG encourages all staff to engage in the academic activities of the CAG and teaching or research can be agreed in the job plan, where it supports the overall aims of the CAG Contribute to service development. Ensure appropriate administration and documentation in relation to the duties of the post, including recording clinical activities in the Trust electronic patient record system (ePJS).

In addition, the post holder will be expected to:

Ensure provision of medical and psychiatric assessments to all referred service users to the service including risk assessment protocols as directed by SLaM. Ensure excellence in the delivery of evidence-based treatments. To act as a referral and liaison officer when service user needs dictate further support and/or management from other services. Assist with organising and participating in teaching/training for students. All doctors are expected to participate fully in the Trust Clinical Governance Programme, including active involvement in Clinical Audit, assessment of Serious Incidents and Complaints management. The post holder will carry a mobile during work hours and be contactable by members of the team. Attendance at research/audit/academic/management meetings, appropriate to the needs of the service. Annual leave will be agreed with the Medical Lead. From time to time it may be necessary for the post holder to carry out such other duties as may be assigned, with agreement, by the Trust. It is expected that the post holder will not unreasonably withhold agreement to any reasonable proposed changes that the Trust might make. The job description/duties may need to be reviewed to meet the evolving needs of the team as these arise.

Office space and support



The post holder will have office space on the unit, which might be shared with the other doctors on some days. There is a networked PC with access to email, trust intranet and internet. Administrative support will be provided. The post holder will also have access to work hubs on The Maudsley site if desired.



ON-CALL COMMITMENT



The post does not currently include on-call



Provisional Timetable

The post consists of up to 8 PAs per week, based clinically in the National Psychosis Unit in Royal Bethlem Hospital, along with attendance at the Maudsley OPD clinic (Mondays). Intermittently, an outreach visit may be needed to see and assess patients in external clinical settings. Some clinical and inter-professional interactions are currently taking place through Microsoft Teams.



Suggested/potential timetable



Day



Time



Location



Work



Monday



AM



Maudsley/ Other



Outpatient assessments



PM



Maudsley



Expert Panel/ SPA



Tuesday



AM/ PM



Ward Round, BRH



Clinical Correspondence/ MHA/ Clinical Governance



Wednesday



AM/ PM



SPA



SPA



Thursday



AM/ PM



Ward Round, BRH



Clinical Correspondence/ MHA



The above timetable is indicative, and a more detailed job plan will be agreed once candidates are appointed to the post, depending upon their individual needs and preferences. The timetable may also evolve in keeping with clinical need.



All doctors are expected to adhere to Trust Policy and Procedures, GMC Good Medical Practice, the 'Good Psychiatric Practice' published by the Royal College of Psychiatrists and applicable regulatory documents. All employees are expected to adhere to the relevant legal and regulatory requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018, Health and Safety legislation, Children Act 1989 & 2004, Infection Control, and Equal Opportunity Policy. The Trust provides a smoke free environment and staff are not permitted to smoke on the premises. The Trust aims to maintain the goodwill and confidence of its staff, service users and the general public. To assist in achieving this objective it is essential that, at all times, employees carry out their duties in a courteous and sympathetic manner