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An excellent opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated Consultant Psychiatrist in General Adult Inpatient Psychiatry to provide clinical and strategic leadership within a busy acute inpatient service in Greater London.

The post holder will lead a male acute inpatient ward, delivering high-quality, recovery-focused psychiatric care, supported by a strong multidisciplinary team, including speciality doctors and trainees. This role offers meaningful leadership responsibility, exposure to a wide range of complex presentations, and strong opportunities for service development, quality improvement, and teaching.

Applications are welcomed from experienced consultants and senior trainees within six months of CCT.
 

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership & Patient Care

• Provide consultant-level clinical care for adult inpatients with complex psychiatric presentations.
• Act as a Responsible Clinician (RC) and Approved Clinician for detained patients under the Mental Health Act.
• Lead patient reviews, ensuring senior medical review within 24 hours of admission and weekly consultant reviews.
• Oversee care planning, risk assessments, and CPA processes.
• Conduct Mental Health Act assessments, tribunal reporting, and managers’ hearings.
• Maintain high standards of clinical documentation and timely communication with families and carers.

Ward Leadership & Service Delivery

• Provide clinical leadership for the inpatient multidisciplinary team alongside nursing leadership.
• Lead daily operational meetings, including bed management, safety huddles, and quality reviews.
• Drive quality improvement initiatives and contribute to service evaluation projects.
• Ensure compliance with governance, safety, and performance standards.
• Support adequate patient flow and timely discharge planning through close liaison with community services.

Teaching, Supervision & Development

• Provide clinical supervision and line management for junior doctors and speciality grades.
• Support undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes.
• Encourage a positive learning environment and staff development.

Collaboration & Governance

• Work closely with community mental health teams, liaison psychiatry, and crisis services.
• Participate in clinical governance, audit, and quality improvement activities.
• Contribute to departmental meetings, service planning, and leadership forums.

 

Person Specification

Qualifications & Registration

Essential

• Primary medical degree.
• Complete registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) with a licence to practise.
• Inclusion on the GMC Specialist Register in General Adult Psychiatry (or within 6 months of CCT).
• Section 12(2) approval and Approved Clinician (AC) status.
• Minimum 1 year of NHS experience.

Desirable

• MRCPsych or equivalent.
• Higher degree (MSc / MD / PhD).
• Formal leadership or management training.

Clinical Experience & Skills

Essential

• Significant experience managing acute adult psychiatric inpatients.
• Strong competence in risk assessment, CPA processes, and multidisciplinary working.
• Experience supervising junior medical staff.
• Evidence of audit, quality improvement, and governance participation.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Desirable

• Experience in service development, pathway redesign, or business planning.
• Research involvement and peer-reviewed publications.
• Experience teaching non-medical professionals and carers.

Professional Attributes

Essential

• Demonstrated leadership and organisational capability.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusive practice.
• Ability to work effectively in high-pressure inpatient environments.
• Innovative mindset with a commitment to service improvement.

Apply now