Consultant MPAC Community Eating Disorders Service (CEDS)

NHSE recognises Devon Partnership Trust (DPT) as being an innovative Trust, for promoting and sustaining Multi-Professional Approved Clinician (MPAC) practice.

There are currently 12 MPACs within DPT, with a further three Trainee MPACs and two SAS Doctors participating in our latest Approved Clinician training cohort.

An opportunity has risen to complement our consultant workforce, within our Community Eating Disorder Service (CEDS). DPT would like to recruit a Consultant Nurse/Social Worker/Occupational Therapist/Psychologist and Approved Clinician, in order to diversify our consultant workforce still further.

We welcome applications from candidates seeking Less Than Full Time (LTFT) working arrangements.

Main duties of the job

There are comprehensive governance and CPD frameworks in place, which supports the training, approval, deployment and subsequent development of Multi-Professional Approved Clinicians. This includes dedicated monthly Approved Clinician peer supervision, plus two days CPD per year for Approved Clinicians.

The post holder will be an integral member of the Medical Advisory Committee and will also be encouraged to apply to join the DHSCs England South MHA Approvals Panel.

For more information, please contact:

Dr Andrew Whitaker, Consultant Psychiatrist, Eating Disorders Service: andrew.whitaker@nhs.net

Miles France, Strategic Lead: Multi-Professional Approved Clinicians: miles.france@nhs.net

Person specification

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of various approaches to mental health assessment.
• Knowledge of the principles of key working or named professionals within a CMHT.
• Awareness of harassment, social exclusion issues and the effects of person and institutional discrimination.
• Knowledge/awareness of relevant legislation and guidance including the Mental Capacity Act 2005, the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended), Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS), The Care Act (2014), The Human Rights Act (1998), The National Service Framework and Clinical Governance.

Desirable

• Skills in assessing, planning and evaluating mental health care/treatment interventions.
• Expertise and knowledge in assessing and managing patients in a community psychiatry or eating disorders setting. .
• Expertise in psychosocial interventions, including relapse signatures and relapse prevention plans.
• Skills in interacting therapeutically with patients who have a range of presenting problems.
• Skills in coordinating complex care packages.
• An ability to coordinate and deliver teaching programs and skills in teaching and assessing.
• An ability to work independently and within a team.
• An ability to use the internet, email and basic word-processing skills.

Communication and Working Relationship Skills

Essential

• Ability to use a range of communication skills to communicate effectively with patients and carers who may be distressed or
• To be able to produce complex written information in a variety of formats for varied audiences.
• Analytical and Judgemental Skills
• Ability to administer and interpret a range of evidence based/standardised assessment tools.
• Ability to analyse complex information to solve problems and draw conclusions.
• Imagination, determination and a questioning attitude.
• An ability to assimilate new concepts and approaches to care.
• Planning and Organisational Skills
• Experience in managing a complex caseload.
• Ability to assume leadership responsibilities.
• Well-developed prioritisation skills.

Qualifications

Essential

• A professional mental health qualification e.g.: RMN, CQSW / DipSW / BSc SW / MASW, BSc/Diploma in OT, SROT, , DClinPsy or equivalent practitioner psychology training ENB 811/812 or CPN Degree.
• A current registration with a professional body i.e. NMC, HCPC, SWEng.
• Trained and currently approved as an Approved Clinician, with one of the four DHSCs MHA Approvals Panels.
• A postgraduate certificate or diploma - or equivalent modules, such as the Higher Specialist Award in Social Work - within the candidates professional field or related therapy discipline.
• A doctoral level qualification or substantial experience and highest level of specialist knowledge accompanied by specific approval clinician training / approval, followed by further training and reapproval by the DHSC - within the relevant specialist field within the candidates professional field or related therapy discipline

Desirable

• Advanced physical healthcare assessment qualification.
• Independent and supplementary prescribing qualification
• Therapeutic psychological interventions qualification.

Experience

Essential

• Significant and in-depth post professional qualifying clinical experience. This requires a minimum of 10 years post qualifying clinical experience, including 7+ years in mental health and 5+ years in a senior position. Ideally these senior roles will have been at Agenda for Change band 7 or band 8, but as a minimum they will have been at AfC band 6.
• Evidence of leading effectively at a senior level in a multi-disciplinary health and social care setting (mental health).
• Experience of working with a range of statutory and non-statutory agencies.
• Experience of engaging in service development activities.
• Evidence of promoting research, evidence-based practice, clinical excellence and quality approaches to support outcome focussed care.
• Experience in facilitating learning within clinical practice.
• Experience of managing, supervising and supporting teams.
• Ability to clinically assess mental disorder and to knowledgeably apply the statutory criteria for the key decision reserved to the RC.

About the employer

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.