SAS Doctor in Psychiatry - Intensive & Assertive Treatment Service

Job summary

We are looking for 3 individuals to work across the county to provide medical support to our newly created intensive and assertive treatment (IAT) teams. There are three IAT teams across the county, each aligned to core community mental health services in one of three Integrated care areas (West, Mid, East). Phase one commissioning is to provide a service to 100 patients across the county (30-40 patients in each team). This may be expanded next year. The IAT operates a flexible caseload model, with patients moving between services to meet needs. IAT has important interfaces with the Early Intervention in Psychosis service, Mental Health Community and Rehabilitation Teams, as well as our inpatient services.

IAT is commissioned to provide assertive and proactive patient-centered support. The model aims to address health inequalities, work on principles of early intervention and prevention, focus on co-production, and adopt a holistic and system-based approach.

The team will provide a service for individuals who experience complex psychosis, defined by factors such as: severe and persistent psychotic disorders, high use of inpatient and/or crisis services, challenges in maintaining contact and engagement, and other need/factors including violence/offending, dual diagnosis, poor treatment response, and unstable accommodation.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide psychiatric medical care to patients on the east-IAT caseload. The clinical model emphasises the importance of a team approach to care for these patients with intensive and assertive outreach needs.

Due to the nature of the caseload, the majority of the care will be provided in the community through home visits. Outpatient clinic facilities are also bookable at the team-bases as required.

Key roles will include:

Contributing to diagnosis and formulation for complex patients.

Managing psychopharmacological aspects of care.

Integrating aspects of physical and mental health of patients.

Liaison with colleagues in primary care.

Being involved in escalation of care for deteriorating patients, including Section 12 duties.

The post holder must be approved under the Section 12 (2) of the Mental Health Act 1983 or be eligible for such approval and willing to undertake training to obtain this status.

About us

Cornwall is a rural and maritime county in the Southwest region of England. It has a distinctive peninsular form with a long, indented coastline often featuring rugged cliffs and sandy beaches. The sea forms the northern, southern and western boundaries, with the River Tamar forming the eastern border with Devon.

The County has a population of 570,300 (2021 census). The population of the County changes significantly during the summer months with more than 4 million tourists visiting Cornwall each year so that at peak-season in August, the total population is increased by more than 50%.

Cornwall County consists of a new unitary authority for Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly. NHS Kernow CCG is the clinical commissioning group for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CFT) is the principal provider of mental health, learning disability and universal children's services to people living in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

The Trust is one of the largest local employers in Cornwall. The Trust was formed as a specialist provider in April 2002 following reorganisation of local NHS Trusts. It was licensed as a Foundation Trust in March 2010 and acquired community children's services in April 2011 and Tier 4 inpatient CAMHS services in 2019.