Specialty Doctor in General Adult Psychiatry (The Marlowes)

We are seeking a Specialty Doctor in General Adult Psychiatry.

The post is based with the Hemel Hempstead Community Mental Health Service. This involves providing clinical leadership, diagnostic assessments, and treatment to service users with severe, complex, and high-risk psychiatric conditions.

The ACMHS (Adult Community Mental Health Services) core team includes specialist medical, nursing, social work, occupational therapy, psychology, support workers, STAR workers, and administrative staff, all reporting to a single management structure. ACMHS also employs other specialist staff such as vocational support staff and those specializing in Psychological Therapies, including Psychotherapy, DBT, CBT, Art and Drama Therapy, and group therapy.

Applicants should have at least 2 years of experience within psychiatry. If not, you may be considered for an alternative posting, which will differ in grade and pay.

Please note: We run a collated interview process for all SAS vacancies across the Trust. You will be considered for the posting you applied for initially. If that position is filled but you are deemed appointable, you may be offered an alternative posting in a different department or location.

Main duties of the job

1. Assess and treat people of working age in the catchment area referred to or presenting to secondary care mental health services.
2. Conduct initial triage via the Single Point of Access (SPA) to determine eligibility for secondary care assessment.
3. Refer service users with psychotic or non-psychotic disorders, severe, complex, high risk, or with diagnostic uncertainty, for face-to-face assessments at the Initial Assessment clinics at The Marlowes.
4. Perform joint MDT assessments using semi-structured needs-based tools and clinical evaluations, providing a holistic view of the patient.
5. Allocate service users to recovery care pathways based on severity, risk, complexity, treatment resistance, or vulnerability, or refer/signpost accordingly.
6. Provide comprehensive assessments, formulate biopsychosocial care plans, and offer evidence-based treatment and advice, focusing on recovery, with active caseload management.
7. Undertake outpatient clinics, home visits, participate in multidisciplinary discussions, and liaise with primary and mental health services.
8. Engage in regular clinical supervision with the consultant psychiatrist.

About us

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) aims to be the leading provider of mental health and learning disabilities services in the UK. Our vision is "Delivering great care, achieving great outcomes - together."

We prioritize patient-centered care, partnership, and providing excellent joined-up services, guided by values developed with input from over 800 service users, carers, and staff. These values influence our decision-making, behavior, recruitment, and staff development.

Job description

Job responsibilities

• Manage administrative duties related to patient care.
• Accurately record clinical activity and submit reports promptly.
• Participate in annual job plan reviews and collaborate with managers to adapt to service changes.
• Comply with policies, procedures, and financial instructions; support service planning.
• Provide psychiatric expertise to the Dacorum team.
• Conduct outpatient clinics, home visits, and participate in multidisciplinary case discussions.
• Liaise effectively with primary care and mental health services.
• Ensure regular clinical supervision with the consultant psychiatrist.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Essential: MB BS or equivalent medical qualification.
• Desirable: MRCPsych or equivalent approved by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Eligibility

• Essential: Fully registered with the GMC with a license to practice at the time of appointment.
• Desirable: Good standing with GMC, Section 12/Approved clinician approval.

Clinical Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Essential: Minimum 4 years postgraduate training, with at least 2 years in a psychiatry training program or equivalent experience, including at least 6 months in Adult Community Mental Health Services.
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams, excellent communication, and broad medical knowledge.
• Desirable: Range of psychiatric service experience, strong medical knowledge in General Adult Psychiatry.

Academic Skills & Lifelong Learning

• Demonstrate clinical problem-solving, organizational skills, active listening, and participation in clinical audits.
• Desirable: Full driving license and access to a car.