Specialty Doctor in CAMHS – Inpatient: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for a Specialty Doctor to join the Sowenna adolescent mental health inpatient unit at Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Sowenna is a purpose-built, 14-bed unit providing specialist care for young people aged 13-18 with complex mental health needs across the South West.

In this role, you will be a key member of a dynamic multidisciplinary team delivering high-quality, patient-centred care in a safe and therapeutic environment. You will support the assessment, diagnosis and ongoing management of young people presenting with a range of mental health conditions, working closely with Consultants, nursing staff, psychologists and allied health professionals.

This post offers excellent opportunities for professional development, including access to CPD, supervision and involvement in service improvement initiatives. We are committed to supporting your career progression and fostering an open, inclusive and learning-focused culture.

We are seeking a motivated and compassionate doctor with strong clinical and communication skills, who is committed to improving outcomes for young people and their families. Experience or an interest in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) is desirable.

If you are looking for a rewarding role in a forward-thinking service where you can truly make a difference, we encourage you to apply.

Main duties of the job

The primary responsibility of the Speciality Doctor is to:

• Carry out the psychiatric assessment, diagnosis and development of an initial treatment plan for the inpatients on, with weekly review of such treatment plans.
• Conduct initial reviews of all new patients (in conjunction with them being clerked in by the ward doctor), obtaining the developmental history for the patients / carers, develop and outline an appropriate treatment plan and weekly review or more if needed.
• Take a leading role in co-ordinating and chairing clinical CPA meetings. Again close supervision will be on hand with ample scope for the candidate to develop confidence in the clinical, management and clinical skills required to do this task.
• Provide supervision to the Sowenna Junior Clinical Fellow.
• Work closely with the MDT, in triaging referrals. This will involve overviewing Form One’s (referral’s), obtaining additional information as needed and forming an initial opinion on the appropriateness or otherwise of admission.
• Ensure relevant actions from the ward round are completed and accurate liaison with patient, parent / carers and community teams are in place.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

• Recognised basic Medical Degree
• Eligible to be appointed to the Specialty Doctor Grade

Desirable

• Relevant higher degree e.g. MD, PhD, MSc or other additional clinical qualifications MRCPsych
• Section 12 Approval

Eligibility

Essential

• Eligible for full registration with the GMC at time of appointment.
• Evidence of achievement of Foundation competencies by time of appointment in line with GMC standards in Good Medical Practice
• Evidence of achievement of ST1/CT1 competences in a relevant specialty at time of application and likelihood of achieving ST2/CT2 competences in a relevant specialty by the start date of the post. Eligibility to work in the UK.

Fitness To Practise

Essential

• Applicant’s knowledge is up to date and fit to practise safely.

Language Skills

Essential

• All applicants to have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English that are adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues

Health

Essential

• Meets professional health requirements (in line with GMC standards in Good Medical Practice).

Clinical skills

Essential

• Relevant specialty clinical knowledge: capacity to apply sound clinical knowledge relevant to the job.
• Clinical judgement: experience in making clinical decisions and managing risk. Knows when to seek help, able to prioritise clinical need. Practical skills: shows aptitude for practical skills, required in the job. Proven ability to work effectively in different clinical settings required in the job.
• Risk Management: knowledge of risk management.

Specialty specific skills related to the post.

Essential

• Experience of assessing and treating patients in acute and psychiatric settings

Desirable

• Experience of working in the Home Treatment Team
• Other relevant experience, e.g., specific psychological therapies

Commitment to clinical governance / improving quality of patient care.

Essential

• Clinical governance: Capacity to be alert to dangers or problems. Demonstrates awareness of good decision making. Aware of own limitations. Track record of engaging in clinical governance: reporting errors, learning from errors.
• Teaching: Understanding the principles of teaching, and evidence of interest and experience in teaching where required in the job
• Research: Ability to critically appraise published research.
• Audit: Experience of carrying out an audit project

Desirable

• Organisation of further teaching programmes in medical education or multi professional education. Commitment to and experience of undergraduate and post graduate learning and teaching
• Experience of involvement in a research project and/or publication.
• Interest in Research. Published audit project.

Communication skills

Essential

• Effective communication skills: demonstrates clarity in written/spoken communication and capacity to adapt language as appropriate to the situation.
• Empathy and sensitivity: capacity to listen and take in others’ perspectives.
• Works in partnership with patients: always considers patients preferences when discussing treatment options.

Closing Date: 9 October 2026