Specialty Doctor in Adult Mental Health – Liaison(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

Make a Difference Where Physical and Mental Health Meet

This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the largest and most established liaison psychiatry services in the North East. Based at Darlington Memorial Hospital, you will work at the crucial interface between acute hospital care and mental health services, ensuring patients receive timely, specialist psychiatric input during medical admissions.

The Durham and Darlington Liaison Service supports acute hospital sites operated by County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. The service is embedded within Adult Mental Health Urgent Care pathways and plays a vital role in improving outcomes for patients with complex mental and physical health needs.

The Role at a Glance

As a Specialty Doctor in Liaison Psychiatry, you will:

• Provide specialist psychiatric assessment and intervention for adults and older adults within the acute hospital setting
• Conduct follow-up clinics for patients previously assessed in the Emergency Department
• Support ward teams with assessment, treatment planning, and discharge coordination for patients with comorbid mental health conditions
• Deliver teaching and training to acute hospital colleagues
• Participate in approximately two Mental Health Act assessments per week
• Offer cross-cover support for Old Age Liaison services when required
• You can expect an average of around 15 face-to-face contacts per week, including follow-up appointments.
• This role requires strong clinical judgement, flexibility, and confidence in managing complexity within a busy hospital environment.

Clinical Environment

Darlington Memorial Hospital is a 433-bed District General Hospital providing emergency, medical, and surgical services. The wider network also includes:

• University Hospital of North Durham (533 beds)
• Bishop Auckland General Hospital
• Sedgefield Community Hospital

This broad footprint allows the liaison team to deliver comprehensive psychiatric support across multiple care settings.

About the Trust

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) is one of the largest specialist mental health and learning disability trusts in England. Serving around two million people, the Trust operates across Durham, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York, and Selby.

Recognised as one of the Health Service Journal’s Best Places to Work, TEWV promotes professional development through structured appraisal, revalidation support, and the TEWV Medical Workforce Charter. Psychiatrists are central to service delivery, and collaborative working is actively championed.

What We’re Looking For

Essential Qualifications

• MBBS (or equivalent medical qualification)
• Full GMC registration with licence to practise
• Minimum four years postgraduate experience, including at least two years in psychiatry training
• Section 12 approval under the Mental Health Act (or ability to obtain within six months)
• Participation in CPD, annual appraisal, and revalidation

Desirable

• MRCPsych or equivalent postgraduate qualification
• Evidence of teaching, audit, research, or service improvement work

Clinical Expertise

• Strong grounding in general adult psychiatry
• Confident in applying a biopsychosocial approach
• Skilled in managing clinical uncertainty and complexity
• Experience in audit and quality improvement

Legal & Professional Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate understanding and practical application of relevant UK legislation, including:

• Mental Health Act 1983
• Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Safeguarding frameworks

Further information on key regulatory requirements:

• Skilled Worker visa overview
• Check job eligibility for sponsorship
• General Medical Council registration
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks
• Criminal record certificates for overseas applicants

Safeguarding & Compliance

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975 (Exceptions Order). All applicants must hold current UK professional registration at the time of appointment.

Why Consider This Role?

• Work within a highly regarded and well-established liaison team
• Opportunity to develop specialist expertise in acute hospital psychiatry
• Structured CPD and appraisal support
• Exposure to complex, varied clinical presentations
• Strong organisational commitment to staff wellbeing and development