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An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Consultant Psychiatrist in General Adult Psychiatry to provide dedicated clinical leadership within a busy Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) service in Greater London.

The post holder will deliver comprehensive, assessment-, treatment-, and recovery-focused care to acutely unwell patients, supporting early discharge and a seamless transition into community pathways. The role offers high-impact clinical leadership, strong multidisciplinary collaboration, and opportunities for service development, teaching, and quality improvement.

This position is well-suited to consultants seeking a challenging and rewarding inpatient leadership role within a progressive mental health service.
 

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership & Patient Care

• Provide sole consultant responsibility for patients admitted to the PICU.
• Deliver high-quality psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and ongoing care.
• Act as a Responsible Clinician (RC) for detained patients under the Mental Health Act.
• Lead care planning, risk management, and CPA processes.
• Ensure timely senior medical reviews and robust discharge planning in collaboration with community services.
• Maintain high-quality clinical documentation and communication with patients, carers, and partner services.

Ward Leadership & Service Development

• Provide clinical leadership for the multidisciplinary team, promoting a collaborative, recovery-oriented ward culture.
• Drive quality improvement initiatives, service evaluation, and clinical governance activity.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards, regulatory requirements, and performance targets.
• Work closely with ward leadership to manage patient flow, safety, and operational performance.

Teaching, Supervision & Research

• Contribute actively to postgraduate teaching programmes, journal clubs, and case presentations.
• Provide teaching and supervision for medical students, trainees, and multidisciplinary colleagues.
• Participate in educational supervision (training supported where required).
• Engage in research and service evaluation projects aligned with service priorities.

Collaboration & Pathway Integration

• Liaise closely with community mental health teams, crisis services, and inpatient colleagues to ensure coordinated care pathways and timely discharge.
• Support integrated working across acute and community mental health services.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Registration

Essential

• Primary medical qualification (MBBS or equivalent).
• Complete registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) with a licence to practise.
• Inclusion on the GMC Specialist Register in Psychiatry (or within 6 months of CCT).
• Approved Clinician (AC) status (or ability to achieve within 3 months).
• Section 12(2) approval (or ability to achieve within 3 months).
• Minimum 1 year of NHS experience.

Desirable

• MRCPsych or equivalent.
• Higher degree in medical education, research, or management.
• Additional clinical qualifications.

Clinical Experience & Competencies

Essential

• Strong experience managing acute psychiatric presentations in inpatient or PICU environments.
• Excellent clinical skills using a biopsychosocial model of care.
• Ability to manage clinical complexity and high-risk situations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to fulfil statutory duties under the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act.

Desirable

• Broad specialist and sub-specialist experience within NHS or equivalent services.

Professional Attributes

Essential

• Strong leadership, organisational, and decision-making skills.
• Commitment to quality improvement, governance, and patient safety.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary and multi-agency settings.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusive practice.