Job Advert
Consultant Psychiatrist (General Adult or Forensic)
for Intensive Psychiatric Care (IPCU)
1 x post
(7 Programmed Activities, with options to increase to full time)
Salary Scale - £84,984 - £112,925 per annum (pro rata)
NHS Forth Valley: Where exceptional Psychiatrists can flourish and really feel at home
In NHS Forth Valley we know the radical and transformational difference Psychiatrists make to the lives of their patients. This is why we have developed, and will always strive to maintain, a system that allows them to do this work. In NHS Forth Valley we passionately believe in joined-up, holistic care across the whole patient journey. We have a dynamic Consultant workforce and due to the relatively small size and adaptability of our health board our Psychiatrists are able to become effective leaders who can drive through positive changes.
We are seeking to appoint a Consultant Psychiatrist to our six-bedded Intensive Psychiatric Care Unit (IPCU). Generally the unit runs at around 50% bed occupancy. This post has become available due to internal reorganisation of the Consultant workforce and will be based within Ward 1 (IPCU) at Forth Valley Royal Hospital (FVRH). This post is available as a 7-session contract, which can be worked flexibly across the week. Candidates seeking 10-sessions of work are encouraged to apply as sessions in other departments could be combined with this role.
Our IPCU is one of five inpatient wards (two general adult and two older adult acute wards) in the purpose-built mental health unit at FVRH. The previous post holder has developed an effective standard operating procedure for the unit which includes criteria for admission. This has greatly helped the patient journey through our inpatient system.
We are in an exciting place with regards to Psychiatry in Forth Valley. Within the next 3 years we will be able to evidence we have the best mental health services in Scotland. To achieve this goal our Consultants will have sufficient SPA time in their job plans to help all of our services become accredited (for providing excellent care) according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists Centre for Quality Improvement Accreditation Standards. The two General Adult wards that interface with our IPCU are functioning highly. To evidence this both wards have applied to be assessed for accreditation and we expect this to be achieved by the end of 2021. We would hope that the post holder would collaborate with their senior nursing colleagues to help lead our IPCU towards achieving accreditation and recognition for providing outstanding care.
We are passionate about attracting the brightest and best students into Psychiatry and developing them into Consultants who will serve the needs of Scotland. Our local teaching and training programmes have been nationally recognised and we are keen to expand them further. The supervision of non-consultant grade medical staff, trainees or career grade doctors is a fundamental requirement of the job plan. We are home to the Scottish Centre for Clinical Simulation and Human Factors, one of the most advanced training facilities of its kind, where medical staff are able to hone their skills using computerised mannequins. Through this centre we have developed the award winning PSYCHSIM programme. This trains our staff in managing emergency situations that arise on Psychiatry wards. We are keen for additional Consultant leadership to help further expand and develop this programme. We will support time for these and other teaching and training opportunities. The post holder will be working alongside Consultant colleagues who have a national profile in Medical Education and so would have immediate links to regional and national teaching opportunities.
We are also able to offer innovative and bespoke job roles for candidates interested in combining sessions in IPCU with sessions in other specialities, including General Adult Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry. In particular, we are keen to explore developing roles across both substance use and general adult settings, to support our existing programme of joint working and improved interface in these areas. We will work with the successful candidate(s) to develop a suitable job plan.
On call duties are non-resident and mainly consist of providing telephone advice and leadership to training grade medical staff. These duties are shared across the Consultant group on a 1 in 28 basis for a 7 session post, and 1 in 20 for a 10 session post.
Forth Valley offers an unrivalled quality of life. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty which includes Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Historic Stirling ‘the gateway to the Highlands’ has local state schools that consistently feature in the top 20 of national league tables. Scotland’s major cities, Glasgow & Edinburgh are within one hour’s travel. Substantial relocation packages are available. We welcome applications from candidates wishing to work both full time and less than full time. We can also offer flexible working hours, including the option of shorter ‘family-friendly’ working days. The size of our health board allows us to be flexible and responsive. We have been quick to adopt new ways of working during the coronavirus pandemic. Going forward we are keen to continue to develop ways of working that allow our Psychiatrists to have an optimal work life balance.
Applicants are encouraged to visit the department and meet key staff (this can be arranged in person or facilitated online). Informal enquiries should be directed by telephone to Dr. Jim Crabb, Associate Medical Director on 01786 434031; Dr Craig Marsh (IPCU Consultant (current post-holder), FVRH), Tel: 01324 618262, or Mr Ross Cheape (Clinical Director) Tel: 01324 618272.
To apply for this post, please visit the job posting on the NHS Scotland Job Train website. Applicants should have full GMC registration and a licence to practise. Applicants will be in possession of the MRCPsych or equivalent, registered with the General Medical Council and on the Specialist Register or be within 6 months of the anticipated award of a CCT at the time of interview or have a certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR). Applicants are required to have evidence of recent continued academic and professional development. Excellent, communication, listening and organisational skills are essential.
Closing date – Sunday 15th August 2021
Interviews will take place on Thursday 26th August 2021
Please quote reference number 058483 on all correspondence.