Consultant Psychiatrist

Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a Consultant Psychiatrist to join our supportive and developing specialist service, where you will provide clinical leadership, contribute to service development and help shape the future of Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) and At-Risk Mental State (ARMS) services across Dorset.

Based at the Hillcrest Unit in Bournemouth, you will work as part of a pan-Dorset multidisciplinary team delivering high-quality, recovery-focused care. EIP supports people aged 14–65, while ARMS supports young people aged 14–35.

This varied role offers the opportunity to provide specialist clinical expertise in the assessment and management of complex mental health presentations, including psychosis. You will undertake new patient assessments, medical reviews, Mental Health Act assessments, tribunal work and care planning, delivered across clinic, community and home settings where appropriate.

You will join a supportive, forward-thinking specialist service committed to high-quality, recovery focused care and excellent patient outcomes. The ARMS service is primarily psychologically led, with medical oversight from the Consultant Psychiatrist. Referrals come from community, CMHT, primary care and inpatient services, providing an opportunity to work across the wider general adult pathway.

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Main duties of the job

As the Consultant Psychiatrist you’ll provide clinical leadership and expert psychiatric assessment and management within the EIP and ARMS services. You’ll work closely with multidisciplinary colleagues to deliver safe, effective and person-centred care in clinic and community settings.

You will contribute to new assessments, medical reviews, CPA reviews, Mental Health Act assessments, tribunals, discharge planning and collaborative care with community mental health teams, inpatient services and primary care. You'll also support the interface between EIP, ARMS and the wider general adult pathway.

We offer a £10,000 recruitment & retention payment, paid monthly during your first year in post, alongside a generous relocation package of up to £10,000 for eligible candidates relocating to Dorset. We also offer flexible working, a supportive Consultant body, excellent NHS benefits, 10 days’ study leave and an annual study budget of up to £1,000.

You will have the opportunity to participate in the county-wide senior on-call rota, attracting a 3% availability supplement plus 0.75 APA per week, with an on-call frequency of approximately 1 in 21. Dedicated administrative support is provided, with opportunities for teaching, research, quality improvement and service development.

We would love to hear from you to discuss how we can design this role around you and your specialist interests. For more information contact Simon Potterton, Service Lead: spotterton@nhs.net or 01202 584336

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidate’s individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.

All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.