Specialty Doctor in Learning Disabilities

This is an exciting opportunity to join a well-established multi-disciplinary Learning Disability team servicing the South of Oxfordshire. We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Specialty Doctor who has skills and knowledge in the assessment of treatment of adults. The successful candidate must be interested in expanding their knowledge and skills around those presenting with learning disabilities.

The post holder will be working alongside a comprehensive Learning Disability MDT comprising of Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language Therapy, Physiotherapy, Psychology and Consultant Psychiatrists. The service is complimented by a Countywide Intensive Support Team (IST) and also has access to an Intensive Interaction specialist.

We have a history of supporting core trainees and Specialty Doctors well within the service and there is good access to supervision and training.
This is a full time post involving working from office (The Lambourn, Abingdon) and home and the role can be constructed flexibly to support the needs of the service and the successful candidate.

Under the supervision and direction of the consultant, the post holder will be responsible:

To assess and treat out-patients with a learning disability and/or co-morbid mental illness, autistic spectrum disorders or The ability to work autonomously will depend on level of training, experience and evidence of satisfactory practice. The post holder will have responsibility for those patients seen by themselves together with those patients seen by medical staff directly supervised by the post holder.

To support the care of adults with a learning disability by developing strong partnership with other agencies and services, including social care, primary care and voluntary

To contribute to CPA, professionals or multidisciplinary meetings for those patients under the care of the post

To provide timely written correspondence to relevant professionals documenting assessments, on-going management, progress, and eventual discharge using Trust IT and clinical records system – training will be provided where Documentation may involve writing medicolegal reports, if necessary.

We are looking for a collaborative professional with a passion for supporting people with a learning disability utilising the principles of least restrictive practice. Learning disabilities is a complex area of medicine and the candidate must have a good understanding of all the variables that can impact a persons presentation

Oxford Health Foundation Trust (OHFT) is a large Foundation Trust which supports its staff through a variety of training opportunity and well-being initiatives. As a Trust we have good links to the University of Oxford and are part of only two Trusts that also have a Research Facility concentrating on those with mental health conditions.

The post holder would be joining a well-established MDT that is known for its collaborative approach and supportive working practices. The post holder will have access and to and support from senior clinicians across Nursing, Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy and Physiotherapy. All complex cases are case managed, and support is always available from a wide range of disciplines. The successful candidate will have a close working relationship with the Team Manager and Consultant Psychiatrists within the service.

For those with the most complex needs we have access to our Intensive Support Team (IST) whose main responsibility is to work with CLDT colleagues to ensure those with the most complex behavioural presentations are supported well within their local communities. Also, to reduce hospital admissions and to work with Doctors to maximise the ability to reduce medications to the lowest possible levels (this means the team is well able to comply with STOMP/STAMP initiatives).

Under the supervision and direction of the consultant, the post holder will be responsibleassessing and treating out-patients with a learning disability and/or co-morbid mental illness, autistic spectrum disorders or epilepsy. The ability to work autonomously will depend on level of training, experience and evidence of satisfactory practice. The post holder will have responsibility for those patients seen by themselves together with those patients seen by medical staff directly supervised by the post holder.

Please see attached the comprehensive JD and person specification.