< Back

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Consultant Psychiatrist to join emergency liaison psychiatry services in Greater London, focusing on both general adults and older adults. This substantive post will provide Consultant-level input across the Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service (MHCAS) and the Health-Based Place of Safety (HBPOS), supporting award-winning regional services.

This role offers a balance of clinical leadership, service development, and direct clinical care. The successful candidate will work closely with senior colleagues across the acute division to shape the strategic direction of liaison psychiatry pathways, while providing high-quality care to some of the most vulnerable patients presenting in crisis.

Primary Duties of the Job

• Provide day-to-day Consultant-level clinical leadership to the multidisciplinary team.
• Undertake routine daily assessments under Sections 135/136 at HBPOS.
• Conduct senior medical reviews and Mental Health Act Assessments (MHAAs) at MHCAS.
• Liaise with emergency department liaison teams and medical staff to ensure continuity of care for patients moving across services.
• Provide brief clinical reports and handover information to inpatient ward staff where patients are detained under the Mental Health Act.
• Participate in daily supervision/clinical handover sessions with Core and Higher trainees, ensuring safe transitions of clinical responsibility.
• Offer clinical guidance and leadership within the multidisciplinary team.
• Support cross-service collaboration with crisis teams, community mental health teams, social services, and inpatient services to ensure seamless pathways of care.
• Contribute to service strategy and development, alongside the clinical and service directors.
• Provide cover and cross-support with other Consultants within the acute division during periods of annual leave.
• Attend divisional and liaison psychiatry senior clinician meetings as required.

Detailed Responsibilities

• Clinical Leadership: Work with colleagues to provide medical leadership, ensuring evidence-based practice and patient safety.
• Patient Care: Contribute to assessments of both general adults and older adults in crisis; provide psychiatric expertise on complex cases.
• Teaching & Training: Provide supervision and informal support to junior doctors, medical students, and multidisciplinary staff.
• Governance & Audit: Participate in quality improvement, clinical audit, and governance processes.
• Collaboration: Forge strong links with regional liaison psychiatry services, acute hospitals, and community teams to ensure continuity of patient care.
• Mental Health Act Duties: Act as a Section 12(2) approved clinician and Responsible Clinician where required.
• Research: Engage in research opportunities where appropriate, aligned with the service’s priorities.

Clinical/Other Duties

• Attend daily handover meetings and allocate work as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate medical records in line with governance standards.
• Provide second opinions for Consultant colleagues where required.
• Support the integration of liaison psychiatry with crisis teams and community services.
• Contribute to the monthly acute division liaison clinicians’ forum.
• Support medical students and ensure structured training opportunities are delivered.
• Contribute to local and regional service development initiatives.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Complete GMC registration and licence to practice.
• On the GMC Specialist Register (or within 6 months of CCT in General Adult and/or Old Age Psychiatry, including CESR).
• Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych) or equivalent.
• Section 12(2) approval and Approved Clinician status (or eligibility).
• Registered with the Royal College of Psychiatrists CPD programme and in good standing.
• Educational Supervisor training for doctors in training.

Desirable

• Other postgraduate qualifications.
• Liaison Psychiatry accreditation.
• Further experience or training in leadership or management.

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Comprehensive knowledge of the full range of mental disorders.
• Significant experience in managing complex clinical cases involving severe and enduring mental illness.
• Expertise in evidence-based treatment and case management, including psychopharmacology.
• Detailed understanding of the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, and safeguarding practices.
• Experience in workplace-based assessments of doctors in training.
• Experience in clinical audit, governance, and managing complaints or serious incident investigations.

Desirable

• Previous consultant or senior-level clinical experience in general adult and/or older adult psychiatry in acute or inpatient settings.
• Experience in teaching and training across multidisciplinary groups.
• Proven contribution to service development, policies, or protocols.
• Research experience or published work.

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Ability to practise as an independent Consultant Psychiatrist.
• Strong leadership and team-working skills, fostering collaboration across services.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work with diverse patient populations.
• Teaching and supervision skills across medical and non-medical staff.
• Enthusiasm for service improvement and innovation.

Desirable

• Special interest in a clinical area aligned with service needs.
• Experience in successfully delivering research projects.

Apply now