medical officer - addictions

nhs greater glasgow & Clyde wide

Information pack

reF: 34216D

Closing Date:Noon on 5th August 2014

SUMMARY INFORMATION

Post: medical officer addictions

TEMPORARY POSTS FOR A PERIOD OF 3 – 6 MONTHS

Base: nhs greater glasgow & clyde wide

This is an ideal opportunity for GPs to gain experience of working in multi-disciplinary community addiction teams and to improve their clinical skills in the management of drug and alcohol problems. We are offering temporary and sessional opportunities, with an induction and senior medical officer support.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Addiction Services manage a system of care for individuals with substance misuse problems in the largest health board in Scotland. The health board includes some of the most deprived areas in the UK, with the highest prevalence of problem drug use and alcohol related harms. The provision of accessible, high quality and recovery orientated services are an important component of addressing public health needs and tackling health inequalities.

Treatment, care and support for substance misusers is delivered through integrated working between health and social services. As wellas being one of the largest and most dynamic substance misuse service providers in Europe, our services are also at the forefront of service developments in many areas including innovative community based Hepatitis C care pathways, community based rehabilitation and recovery based supports.

Medical Officers deliver a wide range of interventions to drug and alcohol misusers with the aim of improving health and social outcomes. These include assessment and review of their health needs, substitute prescribing, detoxification and relapse prevention prescribing, providing testing and treatment for Hepatitis C. Medical Officers are based in integrated community teams, carry a caseload, work closely with specialist services and GPs and are professionally accountable to Senior Medical Officers. They assess and review individuals with drug and/or alcohol dependency.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Addiction Services offers all Medical Officers a thorough induction, supervision, CPD and appraisal. We are committed to developing a career path in the field of substance misuse.
We are offering temporary andsessional opportunities for GPs, or doctors with other relevant experience, who would value the experience of working in substance misuse services.

Contact Dr Trina Ritchie (Acting Lead Clinician) on 0141 8000660 or for more information.

JOB DESCRIPTION – Medical Officer

REF: 34216D

  1. JOB DETAILS

Job Holder:

Job Title:Medical Officer
Immediate Senior Officer:Senior Medical Officer
Area of Responsibility:Community based medical services
Employer: NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Addiction Services
Location:Possilpark Health and Care Centre, Glasgow
(Head Office, base dependent on vacancy.)
  1. JOB PURPOSE

The Medical Officer will be working in Community Addiction Teams or other community based drug services such as drug treatment and testing order services. He/she will have a clinical caseload and will be providing a comprehensive medical addiction service for those who suffer from drug and/or alcohol addiction. He/she will be supported by other members of the team i.e. nurses, addiction workers, social workers, administrative/clerical staff etc.
  1. DIMENSIONS

Glasgow city and Greater Glasgow and Clyde have some of the highest prevalence of problem drug use and alcohol related harm in all of Europe. Reducing harm and promoting recovery for individuals with substance misuse problems is a key priority to improve the public health and wellbeing of the city and health board. Substance misuse related outcomes are worst in the most deprived communities and, according to the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation, the health board area and Glasgow city in particular continues to have the highest concentrations of multiple deprivation in Scotland by some considerable margin. Therefore, providing high quality accessible treatment and care services for substance misuse in this area is an important component of reducing health inequalities.
GGC Addiction Services is one of the largest and most dynamic addiction services in Europe. We deliver and commission addiction services from tier 1 (public health) to 4 (specialist & psychiatric services) across most of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. The system of care is designed to support service users in every aspect of their recovery journey and includes:
  • Extensive injecting equipment programme
  • Drug Crisis Centre
  • Community Addiction Teams made up of nursing staff, social care/work staff and medical officers and offering comprehensive health and social care services in the community.
  • Glasgow GP Shared Care Service. The largest substitute prescribing service of its type in the UK.
  • Inpatient services
  • Partial hospitalisation services
  • Specialist Drug Court Teams and Drug Testing and Treatment Order services
  • Homeless Addiction Team
  • Acute Addiction Liaison Services
  • Alcohol Related Brain Damage services
  • Community and Residential Rehabilitation
Medical staff are either employed as psychiatrists to tier 3 and 4 services or as medical officers and senior medical officers to tier 3 services. There are currently over 30 medical officers (MOs) based predominantly in integrated (health and social care) community addiction teams and 4 senior medical officers (SMOs).
MOs and SMOs are involved in treatment and care of individuals with substance misuse (predominantly but not exclusively opiate substitute treatment and alcohol interventions).
For more information visit:

Line Management Chart

  1. ROLE OF MEDICAL OFFICER

Core tasks include:
  • new patient assessment including ICD-10 diagnosisfor individuals presenting with substance misuse problems
  • substitute and other addictions prescribing
  • routine medical reviews
  • unplanned reviews for unforeseen clinical addiction issues
  • clinical communication to GPs and other professionals
  • management of addiction related physical and mental health issues
  • proactive role in clinic management including pre and post clinic meetings
  • BBV screening
  • case reviews with care manager
  • contribution to care governance as part of professional development (audit, incident reporting etc)
  • team communication / team meetings / medical officer meetings
  • providing cover for colleagues when necessary
  • no out of hours duties
The Medical Officer will make independent clinical decisions, on a daily basis. He/she will be able to take advice from Senior Medical Officer if required. Based on sound decision and judgment, he/she will be providing clinical leadership to other members of his/her multi-disciplinary team(s) on the management of individual cases.
The management of cases is guided by various national and local policies, guidelines, and protocols within an ethical framework.
The Medical Officer will be a core member of:
  • Local team and clinical meetings (MDT, allocations)
  • Medical Officer’s Meetings
  • Medical Officer’s CPD Program
In addition, with experience, and based on the Medical Officer’s interests, he/she will be able to join citywide working groups/committees. (e.g. prescribing, audit, research, child protection). Once experienced, he/she will have the opportunity to support and supervise GP practices who also manage addiction clients in partnership with GGC Addiction Services. There will also be opportunities to be involved in teaching.
  1. ASSIGNMENT & REVIEW OF WORK

The Medical Officers will be managed by and report to the relevant Senior Medical Officer for the addiction partnership. They will also work to the Lead Clinician, local Service Manager and Associate Medical Director.

  1. COMMUNICATIONS & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

  • Medical Officers
  • Senior Medical Officers, Lead Clinician & Associate Medical Director
  • Members of the multi-disciplinary team.
  • Colleagues from other partnership agencies.
  • Local service managers- e.g. Heads of service, community addiction managers, nurse and practice team leaders.
  • Communicating with clients families and other supporting agencies
  • Secondary services
  • Prison Services
  • Voluntary organisations, Rehabilitation services etc.
  • Mental Health Services, Hospital Liaison Services
  • GP practices within the local Community Addiction Team area

  1. MOST CHALLENGING PART OF JOB

  • Effective clinic and caseload management.

  • Working in a spirit of partnership with colleagues from different professional backgrounds and with a variety of agencies.

  • Organisational skills and time management. Being proactive and willing to take initiative.

  • To play key role in the clinical governance within the local team.

  • Commanding the confidence of local service managers and other professionals.

  • The experienced Medical Officer is expected to give clinical leadership to the local management team of his/her community addiction team(s) and work jointly with them to develop the team further within given resources. There will be no financial responsibilities.

  1. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Essential Criteria

  • GMC registered and License to Practice

  • GP background or other background with genuine interest in the field of addiction

  • Excellent team player

  • Excellent communication skills

Desirable Criteria
  • Previous relevant experience

  • Audit experience

  • Understanding of Clinical Governance Framework

  1. RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THE POST

  • Induction period

  • Appraisal and other learning opportunities will be supported.

  • Weekly CPD program for full time medical officers. (Pro-rata if part time)

  • Online access to protocols, guidelines, journals

  • Training for IT systems. (Clinical Portal, PIMS, Carefirst).

  • Supervision from Senior Medical Officer.

  1. SALARY

£63,102 – £81,798 (pro rata where appropriate)
  1. ANNUAL LEAVE

30 days annual leave plus public holidays (pro rata where appropriate).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

The conditions of service are those laid down and amended from time to time by the Hospital and Medical & Dental Whitley Council.

TYPE OF CONTRACT / Fixed Term
GRADE AND SALARY / Medical Officer
£63,102 £ 81,798 per annum (pro rata)
New Entrants to the NHS will normally commence on the minimum point of the salary scale, (dependent on qualifications and experience). Salary is paid monthly by Bank Credit Transfer.
HOURS OF DUTY / 24.00 Sessional (1 session = 4 hours)
SUPERANNUATION / You have the option to join the NHS Superannuation Scheme, to participate in the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme or to take out a Personal Pension.Employee’s contributions to the NHS Scheme are Tiered based on your earnings and the employers contribution equates to 13.5 % of salary. Employees in the NHS Scheme are “Contracted-out” of the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme and pay a lower rate of National Insurance contributions. Employees who choose to participate in the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme pay the higher rate of National Insurance contribution. A Stakeholder Pension is also available. A Personal Pension is a private arrangement agreed with the pension provider that will be an organisation such as a Bank, Building Society or Insurance Company.
REMOVAL EXPENSES / Assistance with removal and associated expenses may be given and would be discussed and agreed prior to appointment.
EXPENSES OF CANDIDATES FOR APPOINTMENT / Candidates who are requested to attend an interview will be given assistance with appropriate travelling expenses.Re-imbursement shall not normally be made to employees who withdraw their application or refuse an offer of appointment.
TOBACCO POLICY / NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde operate a No Smoking Policy in all premises and grounds.
DISCLOSURE SCOTLAND / This post is considered to be in the category of “Regulated Work” and therefore requires a Disclosure Scotland Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG) Membership.
CONFIRMATION OF ELIGIBILITY TO WORK IN THE UK / NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) has a legal obligation to ensure that it’s employees, both EEA and non EEA nationals, are legally entitled to work in the United Kingdom. Before any person can commence employment within NHS GGC they will need to provide documentation to prove that they are eligible to work in the UK. Non EEA nationals will be required to show evidence that either Entry Clearance or Leave to Remain in the UK has been granted for the work which they are applying to do. Where an individual is subject to immigration control under not circumstances will they be allowed to commence until the right to work in the UK has been verified. ALL applicants regardless of nationality must complete and return the Confirmation of Eligibility to Work in the UK Statement with their completed application form. You will be required provide appropriate documentation prior to any appointment being made.
REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ACT 1974 / The rehabilitation of Offenders act 1974 allows people who have been convicted of certain criminal offences to regard their convictions as “spent” after the lapse of a period of years. However, due to the nature of work for which you are applying this post is exempt from the provisions of Section 4 of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 by virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions Orders 1975 and 1986). Therefore, applicants are required to disclose information about convictions which for other purposes are “spent” under the provision of the act in the event of employment, failure to disclose such convictions could result in dismissal or disciplinary action by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Any information given will be completely confidential.
DISABLED APPLICANTS / A disability or health problems does not preclude full consideration for the job and applications from people with disabilities are welcome. All information will be treated as confidential. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde guarantees to interview all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the post. You will note on our application form that we ask for relevant information with regard to your disability. This is simply to ensure that we can assist you, if you are called for interview, to have every opportunity to present your application in full. We may call you to discuss your needs in more detail if you are selected for interview.
GENERAL / NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde operates flexible staffing arrangements whereby all appointments are to a grade within a department. The duties of an officer may be varied from an initial set of duties to any other set, which are commensurate with the grade of the officer. The enhanced experience resulting from this is considered to be in the best interest of both NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the individual.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES / The postholder will undertake their duties in strict accordance with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Equal Opportunities Policy.
NOTICE / The employment is subject to one months’ notice on either side, subject to appeal against dismissal.
MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE / In terms of NHS Circular 1989 (PCS) 32 dealing with Medical Negligence the Health Board does not require you to subscribe to a Medical Defence Organisation. Health Board indemnity will cover only Health Board responsibilities. It may, however, be in your interest to subscribe to a defence organisation in order to ensure you are covered for any work, which does not fall within the scope of the indemnity scheme.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information on NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, please visit our website on

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Applicants wishing further information about the post are invited to contact Contact Dr Trina Ritchie (Acting Lead Clinician) on 0141 8000660 or for more information and with whom visiting arrangements can also be made.

How to apply

To apply for these posts please include your CV and names and addresses of 3 Referees, along with the following documents; (click on the hyperlinks to open)

Medical and Dental Application and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

Declaration Form Regarding Fitness to Practice

Immigration Questionnaire

Alternatively please visit and click on the “How to Apply” tab to access application for and CV submission information.

Return of Applications

Please return your application by email to or to the recruitment address below;

Medical and Dental Recruitment Team

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Recruitment Services, 1st Floor

Modular Building, Gartnavel Royal Hospital

1055 Great Western Road

GLASGOW

G12 0XH

CLOSING DATE

The closing Date will beNoon 5th August 2014