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An opportunity has arisen for a Consultant Psychiatrist to join an Older People’s Community Mental Health Team in Greater London. This is an established post, available due to a previous consultant reducing their hours. The successful candidate will share the caseload with another consultant as part of a job-share arrangement.

The role provides regular input to a local memory service, supporting the assessment and management of patients with cognitive disorders within the allocated sector.

The post-holder will be a senior clinical leader, working closely with a multidisciplinary team to provide high-quality care, further develop services, and support the creation of effective clinical pathways.

Primary Duties of the Job

• Provide clinical and professional leadership to the Older People’s CMHT and associated services.
• Deliver timely assessment, treatment, and follow-up for older adults presenting with complex psychiatric disorders.
• Contribute to promoting mental health, well-being, and independence in older adults.
• Provide regular input to the memory service (approx. 2 PAs per week) for patients with cognitive impairment within the designated patch.
• Attend and actively participate in team MDT meetings, business meetings, and service development discussions.
• Take part in the consultant on-call rota covering urgent assessments, including Health-Based Places of Safety, alongside colleagues across Greater London.

Detailed Job Responsibilities

Clinical Duties

• Act as a Responsible Clinician (RC) for patients under care.
• Provide senior psychiatric advice on diagnosis, treatment planning, and risk management.
• Lead the formulation and review of treatment plans in collaboration with patients, carers, and the multidisciplinary team.
• Undertake assessments of patients referred to the service, including those requiring urgent intervention.
• Support safe and effective discharge planning and community transitions.
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation and electronic records in line with service and national standards.

Leadership & Governance

• Provide professional supervision, appraisal, and mentoring for junior medical staff.
• Ensure compliance with the Working Time Directive for junior doctors.
• Contribute to governance, quality improvement, and service evaluation initiatives.
• Support safe practice in line with the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, and safeguarding frameworks.
• Promote inclusive services with equitable access for all communities.
• Contribute to the development of clinical pathways and service priorities.

Teaching & Professional Development

• Provide teaching and supervision to medical trainees and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Contribute to the academic and CPD programme, including lectures and seminars.
• Participate in annual appraisal and job planning.
• Maintain professional development in line with Royal College of Psychiatrists CPD requirements.

Management & Collaboration

• Work in partnership with managers and colleagues to support effective service delivery.
• Contribute to strategic planning, resource management, and workforce development.
• Maintain strong working relationships with GPs, social services, and voluntary sector organisations.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification.

Desirable

• Higher degree in medical education, clinical research, or management.
• Additional postgraduate clinical qualification.

Eligibility

Essential

• Complete GMC registration with a licence to practise.
• Inclusion on the GMC Specialist Register in Old Age Psychiatry (or within 6 months of achieving CCT).
• Approved Clinician and Section 12(2) approval (or eligibility within 3 months of appointment).

Desirable

• In good standing with GMC regarding revalidation, warnings, or conditions.

Transport

Essential

• Holds a valid UK driving licence or provides evidence of an alternative means of travel.

Clinical Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Excellent knowledge and experience in old age psychiatry.
• Strong biopsychosocial approach to clinical practice.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage clinical complexity and uncertainty.
• Evidence-based decision-making, incorporating multidisciplinary input.
• Ability to fulfil duties under the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act.

Desirable

• Broad range of specialist and sub-specialist experience relevant to older adult psychiatry within the NHS or comparable systems.

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