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An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Consultant in Old Age Psychiatry (Inpatient) to provide senior clinical leadership within a specialist older adult mental health service.

The postholder will deliver consultant input to an inpatient ward for adults aged 70+ with functional mental health disorders, working closely with community older adult and dementia services to ensure seamless, patient-centred care.

You will join a highly skilled multidisciplinary team and contribute to service development, pathway improvement, and leadership within an established specialist service.
 

Main Duties of the Job

Clinical Responsibilities

• Provide consultant-level assessment, diagnosis, and management of older adult inpatients with functional mental health disorders.
• Lead clinical reviews following non-medical triage and oversee investigation requests and interpretation.
• Deliver evidence-based treatment planning and post-diagnostic discussions with patients and carers.
• Ensure high-quality inpatient care and safe discharge planning in collaboration with community teams.

Leadership & MDT Working

• Provide senior medical leadership within the multidisciplinary team.
• Work collaboratively with specialist older adult and cognitive impairment/dementia services.
• Supervise junior doctors and contribute to their professional development.
• Support service performance, pathway development, and clinical prioritisation

Governance, Audit & Service Development

• Participate in clinical governance, quality improvement, and audit programmes.
• Contribute to service redesign and pathway improvement initiatives.
• Engage in management responsibilities and organisational development within the service.

Teaching & Professional Development

• Deliver teaching and supervision for trainees and multidisciplinary staff.
• Support undergraduate and postgraduate education.
• Maintain CPD and contribute to research, audit, and service evaluation where appropriate.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
• Full GMC registration with a licence to practise
• GMC Specialist Register (or within 6 months)
• Approved Clinician status or ability to achieve within 3 months
• Minimum 1 year NHS experience

Desirable

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

Eligibility & Legal Requirements

Essential

• Eligibility for the GMC Specialist Register at the appointment
• Ability to fulfil Responsible Clinician duties under MHA/MCA

Desirable

• Specialist registration in Old Age Psychiatry or dual accreditation
• Section 12 approval or the ability to achieve within 3 months
• Good GMC standing

Clinical Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Excellent clinical skills in the assessment and treatment of older adults with mental health disorders
• Ability to manage clinical complexity and uncertainty
• Knowledge and application of MHA and MCA legislation
• Demonstrated participation in clinical audit and quality improvement

Desirable

• Subspecialist experience in older adult mental health services
• Evidence of service development or outcome improvement initiatives

Academic Skills & Teaching

Essential

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience delivering undergraduate or postgraduate teaching
• Ability to lead and work within multidisciplinary teams

Desirable

• Experience in research or service evaluation
• Evidence of achievement in education, research, or service improvement
• Awards, publications, or presentations

Professional Attributes

Essential

• Leadership capability and collaborative working style
• Commitment to continuous service improvement
• Ability to make evidence-based clinical decisions
• Alignment with organisational values and governance standards

Desirable

• Ability to travel across service sites