Specialty Doctor Psychiatrist North Devon Liaison Psychiatry

North Devon is a beautiful area of the country.

There is easy access to Exmoor, large surfing beaches and many areas to walk, cycle, run and swim.

Separately it is a great place for bringing up a family due to the small communities and relative safety of the area.

You would be working in an energetic and very friendly team which is well established and stable.

This fixed term post provides medical support to the Liaison Psychiatry team in North Devon. The Doctor will support the medical assessment and management of the team for patients attending North Devon District Hospital.

The post-holder's responsibilities will be to provide psychiatric services to North Devon District Hospital. The work is multidisciplinary both within the Liaison Team and with external colleagues.

The work is under the support and supervision of Dr Adam Hickson, Consultant Psychiatrist, in (1.0 WTE).

The role involves work alongside the Foundation Year 1 doctor and Core Trainee Doctor who provide support for the service though also need clinical supervision at times.

The postholder will have a commitment to collaborative working and actively supporting and liaising with other health and social professionals and agencies as well as having good relationships with mental health services.

This is a Fixed Term Post for one year. This may be renewed depending on service need.

Main duties of the job

We are interested in recruiting an enthusiastic and dedicated Specialty Doctor who is interested in shaping the future in terms of their career and the provision of services. The post holder is expected to help promote mental health throughout the general hospital. We would look for a patient-centred approach while involving the general hospital in joint care.

The ability to liaise with clinicians, managers, other psychiatric teams and relatives is a key part of the role.

Assessing patients who are acutely psychiatrically unwell and require physical health treatment provides a challenging, highly variable, and rewarding environment. We see patients aged 18 and above, including general adult and older adults.

There is a mix of patients with diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, emotionally unstable personality disorder, crisis presentations of BPAD, and schizophrenia. We also collaborate with services like Learning Disability, Perinatal, and Eating Disorders while patients are in hospital. Some patients require hospital-specific support, such as system navigation or reasonable adjustments (e.g., autism). The team offers extensive knowledge and support, reflecting the variety of clinical interest.

Section 12 approval is desirable to assist with acute presentations in the Emergency Department and wards.

The role of the Specialty Doctor is to support the Consultant in their role as the clinical lead of the team.

About us

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trust's core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the full Job Description and Person specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.

Person Specification

Research

• Interest in maintaining up to date clinical knowledge base.
• Enthusiasm to contribute to research on site.
• Publications in peer reviewed journals.

Motivation, Practical Arrangements and Physical

• Ability to organise own learning/CPD.
• Meets professional health requirements.
• Ability to be mobile across a geographical area in a timely manner and in accordance to service need.
• Registered with Royal College of Psychiatrists for CPD.

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years in basic psychiatric training.
• Experience at SHO level or above of working in the field of Liaison Psychiatry.

Clinical Governance

• Commitment to involvement in on site programme of clinical governance.
• Knowledge of evidence based practice, clinical audit and involvement of users and carers in service provision.

Qualifications

• MB BS or equivalent.
• GMC registration.
• Membership or Affiliateship of the Royal College of Psychiatrists or equivalent.
• Approved under Section 12(2) of the Mental Health Act 1983.

Clinical Skills and Clinical Knowledge

• Excellent clinical skills in interviewing and physical and psychological assessment of patients.
• Ability to manage crises and act independently.
• Ability to manage potentially violent and disturbed patients.
• Confidence in assessing and managing physical health problems and emergencies.
• Working knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983.
• Ability to apply psychological models to practical situations.
• Knowledge of clinical risk management.
• Knowledge of relevant Mental Health legislation.

Personal Skills and Continuing Professional Development

• Ability to communicate with clarity in spoken and written form.
• Flexible approach, keen to accept new challenges.
• Punctuality/good time management.
• Honesty and integrity.
• Well organised.
• Commitment to process of CPD.
• Ability to critically examine practice.
• Registered with Royal College of Psychiatrists for CPD.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.