Consultant Psychiatrist – MHSOP(UK Visa Sponsorship)
Job Description
Role overview
A senior consultant opportunity is available within the Older People’s Mental Health Service (MHSOP), supporting a population of more than 250,000 adults aged 65+. The post sits within Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, a large specialist provider delivering integrated inpatient, community, crisis, and liaison psychiatry services.
You will provide consultant leadership to community mental health teams covering Derwentside and Chester-le-Street, working alongside inpatient and liaison psychiatry colleagues. The service supports people with organic and functional mental illness, including complex dementia care, crisis management, and multidisciplinary recovery planning. The post combines clinical leadership, statutory responsibilities, and service development in a well-established regional network.
What you’ll be doing
- Acting as consultant lead for an Older People’s CMHT caseload
- Delivering comprehensive psychiatric assessment and management
- Prioritising Mental Health Act assessments for patients under your care
- Serving as (or working toward) DOLS Mental Health Assessor status
- Collaborating with inpatient, liaison, and crisis teams
- Contributing to multidisciplinary decision-making and discharge planning
- Supporting teaching, audit, and quality improvement activity
- Helping shape service delivery with locality leadership
Clinical duties account for 7.5 Programmed Activities (PAs), with an additional 2.5 PAs supporting education, development, and service improvement.
Who this role suits
This role is ideal for an experienced psychiatrist committed to high-quality older adult mental healthcare. You will bring:
- Full registration with General Medical Council and Specialist Register status (or eligibility within six months)
MRCPsych qualification
- Approved Clinician and Section 12 approval (or ability to achieve promptly)
- Strong knowledge of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity legislation
- Experience managing clinical complexity in older populations
- Commitment to evidence-based practice and multidisciplinary leadership
- Teaching, audit, or research participation
Working environment
The Trust serves communities across Durham, Teesside, North Yorkshire, and York, operating inpatient wards, crisis services, liaison psychiatry, and community teams. A strong culture of professional development, workforce wellbeing, and service innovation supports consultants in shaping their clinical interests and leadership contributions.
Flexible working discussions are welcomed, and the Trust actively promotes inclusive recruitment and career development.
Pay, structure & development
- Consultant contract with programmed clinical and supporting activities
- Opportunities to develop special interests
- Embedded quality improvement and leadership support
- Strong multidisciplinary collaboration
Eligibility & safeguarding
This role requires enhanced clearance via Disclosure and Barring Service and statutory compliance with UK mental health legislation. Skilled Worker visa applicants are welcome subject to immigration eligibility.
Location
Derwent Clinic, Shotley Bridge Hospital, County Durham.
Helpful UK government resources
- Skilled Worker visa guidanceÂ
- Mental Health Act overview
- Mental Capacity Act guidance
- Disclosure and safeguarding checksÂ
- Employment rights and protectionsÂ
