Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic fulltime Fixed term appointment for service to work on Shannon ward (Female PICU), at St Charles Hospital in Kensington & Chelsea. This is offered as a 12 – month fixed -term post.

As a LAS doctor, you will provide medical support to the medical team, functioning as an active member of the multi-disciplinary team. You will have excellent communication skills (both verbal and written) and the ability to build effective relationships with service users, colleagues and other professionals.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work with the MDT Team to provide care for all inpatients under the supervision of the Consultant Psychiatrist. The post holder will work closely with other members of the multi-disciplinary team. This will include providing support and advice to team members and referring services. This post is part of a fully integrated multi- disciplinary team as well as support and administrative services.

This post offers an opportunity to develop knowledge, experience and competency in the specialist assessment and management of inpatients with mental disorder across the full spectrum of severity and complex comorbidity. The post provides excellent opportunities to develop leadership and management skills. There is a strong multidisciplinary focus to work within the service.

Working for our organisation

Kensington and Chelsea (K+C) adult mental health service provides a range of mental health services for adults across the age range within the community and in hospital settings. These are integrated health and social care services. These are based at:

  • St Charles Hospital with 8 inpatient wards; two adult PICUs (male and female), 4 adult acute wards and two Older Adult wards
  • South Kensington and Chelsea Mental Health Centre, next to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital with the liaison service, health psychology, therapies team, memory service, older and younger adult psychiatric liaison services
  • Beatrice Place with the continuing care unit and early intervention in psychosis service.
  • Community team bases for adult CMHTs and Psychotherapy services.
  • A well-developed Primary Care Mental Health team that is now working in partnership with 3rd sector organisations to offer a broader service to patients with enduring mental illness in primary care.
  • Shannon ward is a 12 bedded mixed-sex inpatient ward based at St Charles Hospital. Along with the other 4 acute wards and a male PICU, Shannon ward provides acute inpatient care for the residents of the Royal Borough of Kensington Chelsea, and Westminster, London. These wards are not geographically based and so will take admissions from across the borough. As with other large inner-city boroughs, Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster has a high prevalence of psychosis, mood disorders, personality disorders and problematic illicit drug use.

    Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • Detailed clerking, history taking and initiation of all necessary investigations and assessments for patients.
  • Establishing, initiating and evaluating treatment plans and risk assessments in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team and under the supervision of the Consultant Psychiatrist.
  • The post holder will complete full risk assessments of all in-patients in conjunction with the MDT.
  • Medical and psychiatric management for patients.
  • Interviewing relatives and informal carers of patients as required.
  • Undertaking the relevant referrals to other disciplines and services both within the multi-disciplinary team as well as to services and resources external to the service.
  • Observation of Trust and local policies and procedures; including those related to medicines management and physical healthcare.
  • Observation of medical guidelines, prescription and drug administration and paramedical guidelines issued to the postholder.
  • Completion of admission and discharge notifications for inpatients.
  • The post-holder will liaise with all external agencies as required.
  • To contribute to clinical outcome evaluation within the service
  • Provide cover for psychiatry colleagues within the service.
  • Person specification

    Qualifications

    Essential criteria

  • MBBS (or equivalent overseas)
  • Full GMC Registration
  • GMC Licence to Practise
  • Experience

    Essential criteria

  • Foundation year training completed or its equivalent
  • Skills and Knowledge

    Essential criteria

  • Able to communicate clearly both in written and spoken English
  • Demonstrates sound knowledge and skill base with the ability to prioritise clinical need
  • Demonstrates ability of basic skills i.e. history taking, examination (mental & physical) and the utilisation of external sources of information in order to develop care and treatment plans to meet patient needs
  • Capacity to utilise a range of approaches to solving problems and making decisions
  • Able to work cooperatively as part of a team and build and maintain successful working relationships with staff in a variety of different roles
  • Ability to recognise and manage own stress utilising the resources available
  • Able to work in an efficient, systematic and flexible manner
  • Able to deal with difficult situations and to address them in a responsible and professional manner. Understanding of the complex nature of patient confidentiality
  • Able to treat service users with respect and dignity at all times, adopting a culturally sensitive approach, which considers the needs of the whole person
  • Able to build constructive relationships with warmth and empathy, using good communication skills
  • Other

    Essential criteria

  • Sickness or attendance record that is acceptable to the Trust, to be checked at interview
  • Declared medically fit by Occupational Health Department to perform the duties of the post
  • The post holder must have the ability to understand and implement Equal Opportunities Policy at a level appropriate to the job
  • Must be able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service
  • CNWL NHS Foundation Trust are committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices to protect children and vulnerable adults.

    Due to the high response levels we receive for some vacancies, we may expire any of them prior to the advertised closing date and advise you to submit your application as soon as possible. 

    Our Agenda for Change employment contracts are subject to a contractual 13 week probationary period.