Locum Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist (DBT Team)

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) invites applications for a Locum Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist (DBT Team).

Closing date: 28 May 2025

An exciting eight-month locum post has become available in the CAMHS DBT team to work with young people across Hertfordshire who are struggling with managing emotions and high-risk behaviours, helping them learn new skills and build a life worth living. The clinical pathway aims to avoid inpatient admissions and support quick transitions of those in an inpatient service back into the community.

The post holder will work alongside a team of skilled DBT practitioners - band 6, 7 and 8A mental health/learning disability nurses, band 8A and 8B psychologists, an assistant psychologist and secretarial support.

Main duties of the job

The DBT Service offers Hertfordshire residents referred into the service a consistent evidence-based therapeutic approach, to reduce inpatient admissions and to support the quick transitions of those in an inpatient service back into the community.

This post involves direct assessment of all young people admitted into the programme, formulation of treatment plans in conjunction with the individual therapist and contribution to the multidisciplinary team (MDT), liaison with other agencies (both health and partner organisations) and contribution to interagency work.

The post holder has the responsible clinician (RC) role for all the young people in the caseload until discharge from the service. To support and maintain engagement whilst young people present with high complexities, they can remain as RC while additional interventions are offered, e.g. home treatment team intervention or admission under the brief admissions pathway at Forest House Inpatient Adolescent unit.

The post holder will join the individual therapist in interventions with the required frequency and work closely as a mini team when young people's risk ratings are increasing.

About us

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an organisation with big ambitions, aiming to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disabilities within the UK.

With a workforce of over 4,300 people and an annual income of approximately £330 million, the Trust provides integrated health and social care services across Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire and Norfolk. As a University NHS Foundation Trust, HPFT develops strong links with the University of Hertfordshire, providing learning and development opportunities and strengthening clinical research capability.

Job responsibilities

To undertake administrative duties associated with patient care and provide reliable written communications to General Medical Practitioners; liaise with other professionals as required.

To record clinical activity accurately and comprehensively and submit promptly to the Information Department.

To take an active role in the pathway and CAMHS clinical governance in liaison with the Senior Leadership Team and contribute to internal clinical pathways/processes to ensure smooth movement of patients between Tier 4 services.

To participate in various medical staff meetings within HPFT as necessary.

To perform duties in occasional emergencies and unforeseen circumstances in consultation with senior and junior colleagues.

To support the service's engagement in regular Audit and Quality Assurance programmes to improve and maintain high standards of service. Participation in POMH audits is encouraged.

To provide advice, support and consultancy in a variety of settings to minimise risk.

To manage, appraise and provide professional supervision to junior medical staff as agreed with consultant colleagues and the medical director, in line with Trust policies and procedures. This may include assessing competences under the Modernising Medical Careers framework.

To participate in annual appraisals for consultants and to attend/participate in the academic programme of the Trust and the team, including lectures and seminars as part of the internal CPD programme.

To maintain GMC registration, Section 12 approval, and to abide by professional codes of conduct.

To participate annually in a job plan review with the clinical manager, ensuring the post evolves with service configuration and delivery and to work with managers and colleagues to ensure efficient service operation.

To comply with the Trust's policies, procedures, standing orders and financial instructions, and to take an active role in the financial management of the service.

Offer clinical leadership and work with the Senior Leadership Team to enhance collaboration with other health and social care agencies relevant to clinical and quality outcomes.

Person Specification Qualifications

• MB BS or equivalent medical qualification.
• MRCPsych OR MRCPsych equivalent approved by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
• Qualification or higher degree in medical education, clinical research or management.
• Relevant higher degree, e.g. MD, PhD, MSc or other additional clinical qualifications.
• Fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practise at the time of appointment.
• CCST in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; OR inclusion on the GMC Specialist Register in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; OR within six months of achieving CCT/CESR at the time of interview.
• Section 12/Approved Clinician approval.
• In good standing with GMC with respect to warnings and conditions on practice.

Clinical Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Experience of the full range of clinical responsibilities expected of a consultant in CAMHS psychiatry.
• Experience of close collaborative working with social care and other agencies.
• Experience of working with service users who have complex needs within CAMHS.
• Excellent clinical skills using bio-psycho-social perspective and wide medical knowledge.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Able to manage clinical complexity and uncertainty.
• Makes decisions based on evidence and experience including the contribution of others.
• Wide range of specialist and sub-specialist experience relevant to post within NHS or comparable service.
• Excellent degree of medical knowledge in relation to CAMHS.

Academic Skills Lifelong Learning

• Able to deliver undergraduate or postgraduate teaching and training.
• Participated in continuous professional development.
• Participated in research or service evaluation.
• Able to use and appraise clinical evidence.
• Has actively participated in clinical audit.
• Holds a full valid driving license and access to a car (unless exempt by Disability Discrimination Act).
• Able to plan and deliver undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and training relevant to this post.
• Reflected on the purpose of CPD undertaken.
• Experienced in clinical research and/or service evaluation.
• Evidence of achievement in education, research, audit and service improvement: awards, prizes, presentations and publications.
• Has led clinical audits leading to service change.
• Experience of organising and overseeing psychotherapy training programs for psychiatry trainees.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

£105,504 to £139,882 per annum (pro rata)