Specialty Doctor

Job overview

The Sussex Children and Young Peoples Service have an exciting opportunity for a permanent, Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) Speciality Doctor to join the Tier 4 inpatient team. This is an exciting opportunity to play an integral part in prioritising the delivery of a safe, effective and caring service to those young people (up to 18th birthday) admitted to an Inpatient Unit and their families/carers within Sussex.

The role will be based in the newly opened CAMHS Inpatient unit at Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath treating children and young people with serious mental health problems and eating disorders. This post completes the medical establishment of the inpatient team providing a minimum of a whole-time equivalent Consultant Psychiatrist alongside higher and core trainees.

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Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide high-quality clinical care within their specialty, demonstrating excellent knowledge and advanced clinical skills grounded in a bio-psycho-social approach. You will be expected to assess, manage, and treat patients with complex needs, making sound clinical decisions in situations of uncertainty, informed by evidence, experience, and multidisciplinary input. The role requires a strong understanding of, and ability to fulfil, statutory responsibilities under the Mental Health Act (MHA) and Mental Capacity Act (MCA).

You will communicate effectively with patients, families, and colleagues, both verbally and in writing, ensuring clear, compassionate, and professional interactions at all times. Working collaboratively, you will contribute to shared leadership and support service development and continuous improvement.

The role also includes active involvement in teaching and training of undergraduate and postgraduate learners, supporting the development of others within the multidisciplinary team. You will be expected to maintain and demonstrate ongoing continuous professional development, as well as contribute to research, audit, or service evaluation activities, applying and critically appraising clinical evidence to enhance practice.

A valid UK driving licence (or suitable alternative) is required to support service delivery across sites.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Essential Criteria

• MB BS or equivalent medical qualification
• At least 4 years of full-time postgraduate training (or equivalent experience), including a minimum of 2 years in a relevant specialty training programme
• Fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practise at the time of appointment
• Holds and will use a valid UK driving licence, or provides evidence of a suitable alternative arrangement
• Excellent knowledge in specialty
• Excellent clinical skills using a bio-psycho-social perspective and broad medical knowledge
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Ability to manage clinical complexity and uncertainty
• Makes decisions based on evidence and experience, including the contribution of others
• Ability to meet duties under the Mental Health Act (MHA) and Mental Capacity Act (MCA)
• Ability to deliver undergraduate or postgraduate teaching and training
• Demonstrates commitment to shared leadership and collaborative working to deliver improvement
• Evidence of participation in continuous professional development
• Participation in research or service evaluation
• Ability to use and critically appraise clinical evidence