Are you committed to helping us safeguard patients subject to the Mental Health Act against inappropriate treatments?

When thinking about what drives you every day in your job and what keeps you motivated and passionate about your work, what comes to mind? For 3000+ people at the CQC, we end each day knowing that we have made a difference to the lives of those most in need in our communities.  We are looking for people who are caring and demonstrate integrity to join us in our work to protect patients.  If you would like to help us make a positive impact in our service for patients within England, then read on.

The role of the Second Opinion Appointed Doctor…

The role of SOAD is a challenging one, which demands professional credibility, the ability to question decisions in a non-adversarial but firm style, and excellent negotiating and interpersonal skills. It will be necessary for you to be able to place decisions about medicine within the wider context of treatment, and you must be able to balance the interests of the patient against the need for treatment. The ability to employ independent judgment and to justify decisions in the face of potential external pressures is essential.

We are looking for consultant psychiatrists with a demonstrable commitment to a rights-based approach, in-depth knowledge and experience of psychiatry in a variety of clinical settings, and considerable experience of working with detained patients. Candidates should have current or recent hands-on practice in a clinical environment, and should be up to date with current practice, both clinical and non-clinical, including measures to promote equality of service provision for all patients.

Accountabilities:

SOADs are expected to undertake all aspects of the role relating to Section 58, Section 58a and Supervised Community Treatment, including:

- Interviewing the patient in private, where possible and applicable. - Understanding the patient’s circumstances through reading of relevant documents and records. - Reviewing the proposed treatment plan and current medicine administration charts. - Talking to two professionals involved in the patient’s medical treatment, also known as statutory consultees. - Seeking additional information to inform their decision as appropriate.

 A SOAD is required to make decisions on the appropriateness of treatment and whether to certify this, based on their own independent judgement, taking into consideration clinical rationale, the interests of the patient, and the implementation of the Act and the Code of Practice.

Second Opinions can be carried out by visiting a hospital or remotely through video or telephone contact. While it is possible and at times necessary to carry out second opinions out of normal working hours, we expect that the majority of second opinions will occur within weekday daytimes.

Having made their decision, the SOAD must then record their decision and the reasons for it. They must also report to CQC any issues of concern, which will be shared with Inspectors and Mental Health Act Reviewers.

Please note, shortlisted candidates will be required to provide a Letter of Endorsement from their employer prior to the interview.

Person specification

Essential criteria:

• GMC is registered with a license to practice medicine.
• GMC Specialist registration.
• MRCPsych or equivalent qualification recognised by the RCPsych.
• Substantive consultant status in psychiatry for at least five years (appointed via article 14 equivalence or higher training).
• Registered in good standing for CPD. S12(2) approved at the point of application (you do not have to maintain this post-appointment).
• Current or recent hands-on clinical practice.
• Breadth of psychiatric practice in a variety of settings.
• Experience of working with patients liable to compulsion.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to process information and follow protocols.
• Demonstrable practical commitment to equality and diversity.
• Legible handwriting.
• Availability to undertake a minimum of 40 second opinions per year (it is possible to complete several opinions in one day).
• Availability to attend mandatory training events (currently one day annually) and ad hoc training or peer group meetings.
• Computer literate, with experience in sending and receiving email, completing MS Word documents, receiving PDF documents and use of encryption applications.

 Currently employed by an NHS trust or an Independent Healthcare Provider that is rated as good or outstanding 

Desirable criteria:

Evidence of leadership in relevant areas. Experience of multi-disciplinary working at a senior level. Specialist expertise, e.g. CAMHS, Elderly, Forensic. Interest in Mental Health work.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

https://cqc.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/2/home/requisition/2584?c=cqc Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals and certain family members of Turkish nationals who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attracting, retaining and investing in talent wherever it is found. To learn more, please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name: Elle Robertson-Phillips
• Email: temprecruitment@cqc.org.uk

Recruitment team

• Email: Temprecruitment@cqc.org.uk

Further information

https://cqc.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/2/home/requisition/2584?c=cqc

Attachments

20220722 - SOAD Job Description(pdf, 97kB)