Consultant Psychiatrist – Rehabilitation Service(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Consultant Psychiatrist in Rehabilitation Services to join its expanding specialist mental health provision. This senior clinical leadership role spans both inpatient and community rehabilitation pathways, including Willow Ward and the newly developing Open Mental Health Rehabilitation Team, delivered in partnership with VCSE organisations.

This is a highly influential position focused on improving outcomes for individuals with complex, long-term mental health needs while shaping the future of rehabilitation services across the county.

Role Overview

The postholder will provide consultant-level psychiatric leadership across inpatient and community rehabilitation services, supporting service development, multidisciplinary collaboration, and patient-centred care delivery.

You will play a key role in expanding integrated rehabilitation pathways, supporting recovery-focused care for individuals with severe and enduring mental health conditions, often combined with neurodevelopmental, cognitive, or physical health challenges.

The role also includes participation in an on-call rota for senior medical and Responsible Clinician duties under the Mental Health Act.

Clinical Setting

• Willow Ward (Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit)
  11-bed rehabilitation ward for adults with complex mental health conditions
  Provides intensive rehabilitation for both voluntary and Mental Health Act detained patients

Supports individuals with co-occurring conditions including:

• Substance misuse
  Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
  ADHD
  Cognitive impairment
  Long-term physical health conditions
  Focus on restoring independence, social functioning, and community reintegration

Open Mental Health Rehabilitation Team

• Innovative community-based rehabilitation service
  Supports patients transitioning from inpatient care or requiring intensive community rehabilitation
  Works closely with partner organisations and VCSE services
  Focused on recovery, stability, and reducing hospital readmission

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership

• Provide consultant psychiatric leadership across inpatient and community rehabilitation services
  Act as Responsible Clinician (RC) for patients under the Mental Health Act
  Deliver specialist assessments, treatment planning, and complex case management
  Offer consultation and clinical advice to partner services and agencies

Service Development & Strategy

• Contribute to expansion and development of rehabilitation services across Somerset
  Support implementation of the Trust’s community mental health strategy
  Work closely with clinical directors and service managers on service redesign and improvement

Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration

• Lead and support multidisciplinary teams (MDTs)
  Ensure clear role definition, shared objectives, and coordinated patient care
  Promote effective communication and information sharing across teams
  Support collaborative decision-making and risk management

Quality, Safety & Governance

• Lead clinical governance initiatives within area of responsibility
  Monitor service performance and implement quality improvements
  Support incident review, learning from errors, and risk management systems
  Ensure compliance with NHS clinical standards and Trust policies

Teaching, Training & Professional Development

• Participate in annual appraisal and continuing professional development (CPD)
  Contribute to academic activities including seminars and teaching programmes
  Maintain GMC registration and Section 12(2) Mental Health Act approval

Working Pattern & Flexibility

• Standard full-time role (10 PA/week)
  Flexible working patterns considered, including 4-day working week option
  Partial remote working available where clinically appropriate
  Dedicated administrative and secretarial support provided

Candidate Requirements

Essential Qualifications

• Medical Degree with GMC full registration
  Inclusion on the GMC Specialist Register (CCT or equivalent)
  Royal College membership (or equivalent psychiatric qualification)

Essential Experience

• Broad clinical experience in psychiatry
  Experience in rehabilitation or complex mental health care settings
  Ability to work independently and lead clinical decision-making
  Proven leadership within multidisciplinary teams
  Strong analytical and structured clinical reasoning skills

Personal Skills & Attributes

• Strong leadership and service development capability
  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  Ability to manage complex clinical and organisational situations
  Commitment to patient safety, quality improvement, and governance
  Collaborative approach to multidisciplinary working
  Resilience and ability to work in high-responsibility clinical environments

Benefits & Working Environment

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust offers a supportive and flexible working environment designed to promote wellbeing and professional growth:

• NHS Pension Scheme
  Generous annual leave entitlement
  Flexible and hybrid working options (where appropriate)
  Career development and leadership opportunities
  Access to Blue Light Card discounts
  Strong focus on staff wellbeing and inclusion

Additional Requirements

• Role subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance
  Must hold current UK GMC registration and licensing
  Eligibility for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship (subject to UK immigration rules)
  Overseas applicants must provide criminal record certificates where applicable

Why This Role Matters

This is a senior opportunity to shape and deliver rehabilitation-focused mental healthcare across Somerset. You will directly influence service transformation, improve outcomes for some of the most complex patient groups, and contribute to a forward-thinking, recovery-oriented mental health system within the NHS.