Consultant Psychiatrist, Memory Service - Community Mental Health Team

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization recognized as one of the Top 10 Best Places to Work in 2023. This role within the Older Adults' Community Mental Health Team offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of individuals with dementia. You will be part of a dedicated team that prioritizes patient-centered care, providing assessments, diagnoses, and ongoing support. With a commitment to excellence and a supportive work environment, this position is ideal for those passionate about mental health and community service. Embrace the chance to grow professionally while making a real difference in your community.

Qualifications

• Experience in community mental health services, particularly with older adults.
• Strong understanding of dementia care and treatment pathways.

Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments and initiate treatment for dementia patients.
• Work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive care.

Skills

Community Mental Health

Dementia Diagnosis

Patient Assessment

Multidisciplinary Teamwork

Education

Degree in Nursing or Psychology

Relevant Mental Health Training

Tools

NICE Guidelines

Memory Services National Accreditation Programme

Job description

Job summary

The Older Adults' Community Mental Health Team and Memory Service

We have three Older Adult Community Mental Health Teams and three memory services, one in each borough: Bexley, Greenwich, and Bromley. This post is with the Memory Service in Greenwich, based at the Memorial Hospital.

The Memory Service primarily receives referrals from GPs, but also from CMHT and Liaison services. It is a diagnostic service for individuals suspected of having dementia. The service aims to assess, diagnose, and initiate treatment for dementia, as well as provide post-diagnostic support, advice, and onward referrals. The service operates in a person-centred manner and strives to complete assessments within a time-limited post-diagnostic pathway, aligning with the National Dementia Strategy and London's Dementia Services Guide. It is also in the process of obtaining accreditation from the Memory Services National Accreditation Programme.

Main duties of the job

Referrals are generally made by General Practitioners, with some coming directly from psychiatric liaison, frailty team, social services, neuro-rehabilitation team, neurologists, and geriatricians. All referrals are screened by team members, and arrangements are made for the individual to be seen either in an outpatient clinic or at home by a member of the multidisciplinary team, depending on their needs.

The service also includes 15 functional continuing care beds at Memorial in Oaktree Lodge and 18 dementia continuing care beds in a purpose-built home in Kidbrooke, opened in 2004. Community teams comprise Community Psychiatric Nurses (9), CPN assistants (2), psychologists, occupational therapists, and social workers (5). We have a trust-wide Intensive Hub and well-developed Memory Clinics that operate within NICE guidelines, staffed by specialist dementia nurses and consultant-level medical input. Greenwich Old Age services also feature a joint specialist clinic for patients with both Parkinson's disease and mental illness. Additionally, there is an advanced dementia service focusing on palliative care in dementia.

About us

Oxleas is a highly regarded employer, recognized as one of the Top 10 Best Places to Work in 2023 by the Sunday Times. Our staff survey shows we rank in the Top 5 in England and highest in London for staff experience among similar trusts.

Our recruitment and retention strategy includes structured mentoring for all Consultants and SAS doctors, provided by trained mentors.

We are always happy to welcome new colleagues to the Oxleas family. We prioritize creating a positive work environment where values, teamwork, equity, and wellbeing are central, enabling staff to make a real difference in people's lives.

Ify Okocha

Chief Executive