SECONDMENT OPPORTUNITY FROM 19 JULY 2014: PSYCHIATRIC ADVISER TO THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

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Brian Morgan
5 years ago
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1 Health and Social Care Integration Directorate Mental Health and Protection of Rights Division T: E: Associate Directors Mental Health Medical Managers In 2014 Scotland Welcomes the World 14 March 2014 Dear Colleague SECONDMENT OPPORTUNITY FROM 19 JULY 2014: PSYCHIATRIC ADVISER TO THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT I am writing to ask if you could bring the above secondment opportunity to the attention of appropriate staff working within your Board area. The vacancy arises as a consequence of the completion of Dr Moira Connolly s secondment on 19 July. The post is located at the Scottish Government Directorate for Health and Social Care Integration. The successful candidate will report to the Head of Mental Health Division, Geoff Huggins and be professionally accountable to the Chief Medical Officer. The Psychiatric Adviser supports the Mental Health and Protection of Rights Division on mental health policy and makes a contribution to the wider work of the Chief Medical Officer s Directorate. Mental health is a clinical priority for the Scottish Government and over recent years we have seen real improvement in mental health services. The current work programme is focused on delivery of the Mental Health Strategy and the Suicide Strategy , as well as the work to deliver HEAT targets and other objectives. This is an enjoyable, interesting and challenging post, which provides the opportunity for clinicians to develop new skills and have an influence on the development of policy in Scotland. This is a secondment opportunity which is for 2 years with the possibility of an extension for a third year. As such you should discuss with your employer whether they will be prepared to second you for the period. The successful candidate will be expected to be based in St Andrew s House, Edinburgh. Full details of the post and associated responsibilities are shown in Annex A. I would be happy to speak to individuals in advance of the closing date which is 17 April I can be contacted by (geoff.huggins@scotland.gsi.gov.uk) or by telephone on In addition, Dr Moira Connolly would also be happy to answer any specific questions about the job ( ).

2 To apply please provide a CV together with a brief personal statement of what you would bring to the post by 17 April to penelope.curtis@scotland.gsi.gov.uk. Interviews will be held in early May. Yours sincerely Geoff Huggins Head Mental Health & Protection of Rights Division

3 ANNEX A SECONDMENT OPPORTUNITY: PSYCHIATRIC ADVISER TO THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT Applications are invited for the appointment of a Principal Medical Officer on secondment, subject to suitable arrangements with your current employer, advising on mental health services from within the Health and Social Care Integration Directorate of the Scottish Government. This appointment is part-time (4 days a week) and is for a fixed term of 2 years with the possibility of a further 1 year extension thereafter. The post is based in St Andrew s House, Edinburgh. Your application should give a full but concise account of the nature, extent and level of responsibility you have held and include the skills, experience and expertise which you believe you would bring to this appointment. THE JOB As a Principal Medical Officer, you will advise Mental Health Division on relevant aspects of mental health policy development and performance management of mental health services. This will include the Mental Health Strategy, workforce planning and the development and use of mental health information. You will provide specialist medical advice on alcohol and drug misuse and will cover adult, older people, child and adolescent and learning disability psychiatry and psychological interventions. You will liaise with the Forensic Psychiatry adviser to ensure that issues such as the care and treatment of mentally disordered offenders in the general psychiatry arena are addressed. You will work as a member of multi-disciplinary groups within the Scottish Government. These teams consist of civil servants, management, medical, nursing and social work staff. In addition, you will be the main link with relevant medical colleagues and clinical psychology in NHS Scotland and also will liaise with local authority social work and housing departments, voluntary organisations and user groups. You will develop and maintain links with NHS Education Scotland, Healthcare Improvement Scotland (and the Scottish Patient Safety Programme for Mental Health), the Public Health Data Scotland (ISD) and the Mental Welfare Commission. A relationship should be maintained with medical colleagues who cover mental health issues in other UK Health Departments. You should be prepared to travel throughout the UK as visits to mental health services throughout Scotland would be required, plus occasional attendance at meetings in England and speaking engagements e.g. to NHS or voluntary groups. Further information may be obtained from Geoff Huggins, Head of Mental Health Division ( or geoff.huggins@scotland.gsi.gov.uk). QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE We are looking for a practising psychiatrist of consultant status. You must be fully registered in the UK. A working knowledge of the NHS, preferably as a Medical or Clinical Director would be an advantage as would experience in clinical audit and/or the development/implementation of good practice guidelines and protocols. In addition, you should have high quality oral and written communication skills. Familiarity with the use of the common computer software programmes would be an advantage.

4 APPRAISAL You will continue to be subject to your employer s appraisal arrangements with an input that being made by the Head of Mental Health and Protection of Rights Division in the Health and Social Care Integration Directorate who will act as your line manager. DEVELOPMENT Training will be given in the use of SCOTS, the Scottish Government s electronic information system. Opportunities exist to broaden your professional experience and to further develop specific interests. Doctors in the Scottish Government are expected to acquire and maintain up-to-date knowledge of professional developments in the area of work to which they are assigned, to be actively involved in Continuous Professional Development and to retain full registration with the General Medical Council. SALARY/PENSION Throughout your secondment you will remain an employee of your parent organisation and your pay, performance pay, National Insurance contributions and pension etc. will remain their responsibility. The Mental Health & Protection of Rights Division will reimburse your salary and associated costs for the 4 days to your parent organisation. HOURS The post is part-time (4 days). line manager. The hours to be worked will be set in discussion with your You will work the remainder of the week with your parent organisation which will allow you to maintain a clinical role in a mental health service on one day of the week. PATERNITY OR MATERNITY You will not qualify for the Scottish Government s Contractual Paternity rights during the period of your secondment but will continue to be subject to the paternity and maternity rights under the arrangements in place in your parent organisation. SELECTION PROCEDURE Candidates who appear from the information available to have the best qualifications and experience will be invited to interview in Edinburgh. The interview may include a presentation. It is therefore essential for your application to give full but concise descriptions of the nature, level and extent of the responsibilities that you have held. DISABILITY We are participants in the Employment Services Positive about Disability scheme. Under the terms of the scheme we shall interview applicants with a disability who satisfy the basic criteria for appointment.

5 SECURITY The Scottish Government requires security checks on all successful candidates and due to the implementation of the Part V Police Act 1997, a new system of disclosing criminal history information has been introduced. Successful candidates will be required to produce a Basic Disclosure certificate less than 12 months old, prior to taking up employment. Basic Disclosure certificates are available from Disclosure Scotland, PO Box 250, Glasgow G51 1YU, tel: , info@disclosurescotland.co.uk, fax: and cost 25. Further information on Disclosure certificates can be found at Disclosure Scotland s website

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