Consultant Psychiatrist – MHSOP(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

Position Overview

An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced Consultant Psychiatrist specialising in Mental Health Services for Older People (MHSOP) to join the community mental health team serving Derwentside and Chester-le-Street in County Durham.

This role focuses on delivering high-quality psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for individuals aged 65 and above who experience both organic and functional mental health conditions. In certain cases, younger adults whose needs align with the service may also be supported.

The successful candidate will provide senior clinical leadership within a multidisciplinary community mental health team while collaborating with inpatient services, crisis teams, and liaison psychiatry services across the region.

About the Service

The Durham and Tees Valley MHSOP service supports an older adult population exceeding 250,000 people. The service is structured to provide both community-based care and specialist inpatient treatment.

Current service structure includes:

• 9 Community Mental Health Teams
• 3 inpatient wards for functional mental health conditions
• 3 inpatient wards providing organic mental health assessment and treatment
• Crisis and Intensive Community Liaison teams

Care Home Liaison services

Community and inpatient teams work closely together, ensuring continuity of care for patients throughout their treatment journey. Crisis services provide support outside normal working hours, while community teams deliver comprehensive weekday services with limited weekend availability.

The service also works alongside liaison psychiatry teams within local acute hospitals, providing specialist expertise in the mental health needs of older adults.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership

• Provide consultant-level leadership to the community mental health team.
• Support multidisciplinary teams in delivering high-quality mental health care.
• Work collaboratively with other consultant psychiatrists across County Durham.

Assessment and Treatment

• Conduct specialist assessments for older adults experiencing memory problems or complex mental health conditions.
• Deliver treatment using a biopsychosocial approach, integrating medical, psychological, and social perspectives.
• Provide support for patients requiring secondary mental health services.

Mental Health Act Responsibilities

• Lead Mental Health Act assessments for patients under the consultant’s care during working hours.
• Participate in safeguarding and capacity-related decision-making processes.

Service Development

Work with senior management including the Locality Manager, Lead Psychiatrist, and Associate Clinical Director to support service planning and development.

Contribute to implementing improvements aligned with the Trust’s service strategy.

• Professional Development and Teaching
• Participate in clinical teaching for medical students and postgraduate trainees.
• Engage in research, service evaluation, and clinical audit activities.
• Support multidisciplinary team learning and professional development.

Job Plan and Working Pattern

The role includes:

• 7.5 Programmed Activities (PAs) dedicated to clinical work with the community mental health team
• 2.5 supporting PAs available for activities such as teaching, research, clinical governance, service development, or special interests

The Trust encourages consultants to develop a special interest area, which can be discussed during appointment or during annual job plan reviews.

About the Employer

This role is offered by Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, one of the largest specialist mental health and learning disability trusts in England.

The Trust provides services to approximately two million people across:

• County Durham
• Teesside
• North Yorkshire
• York and Selby

Key organisational highlights include:

• Annual income of approximately £320 million
• A workforce of 6,700 staff
• Services delivered from around 100 healthcare sites

The organisation has received recognition as one of the Health Service Journal’s Best Places to Work, reflecting its commitment to staff wellbeing, development, and career progression.

Essential Qualifications and Registration

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• MBBS or equivalent medical degree
• Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych)
• Full registration with the General Medical Council and a licence to practise
• Inclusion on the Specialist Register for Old Age Psychiatry (or eligibility within six months)
• Approved Clinician status or ability to obtain within three months
• Approval under Section 12 of the Mental Health Act 1983
• Eligibility to work as a DOLS Mental Health Assessor (training may be provided)

Professional Skills and Competencies

Clinical Expertise

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Strong knowledge of psychiatry for older adults
• Ability to manage complex clinical situations and uncertainty
• Excellent communication skills in both written and spoken English
• Ability to apply evidence-based clinical decision-making

Academic and Educational Skills

Applicants should show evidence of:

• Continuous professional development
• Participation in clinical audit or service evaluation
• Ability to contribute to undergraduate or postgraduate teaching
• Leadership and Service Development

The role requires:

• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams
• Experience influencing service improvement initiatives
• Knowledge of NHS organisational structures and quality improvement methodologies

Desirable Experience

The following would be advantageous:

• Experience in liaison psychiatry
• Involvement in clinical research or education
• Evidence of publications, presentations, or service improvement projects

DBS and Pre-Employment Checks

This role requires a criminal record check through the Disclosure and Barring Service in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.

Visa Sponsorship and Immigration Information

Applications from international candidates who require UK Skilled Worker visa sponsorship are welcomed and will be considered alongside all other applicants.

These resources explain visa eligibility, documentation requirements, and criminal record checks for overseas applicants seeking employment in the UK healthcare sector.