Consultant Psychiatrist in Learning Disability Services: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

Do you share our Health Board values; Caring for each other; Working together; Always improving? If so, we would love for you to come and work for Swansea Bay University HB.

We are looking to recruit a Learning Disability Consultant Psychiatrist to join Swansea Bay UHB. The successful candidate will join a team of ten Consultant Learning Disability Psychiatrists who cover the other geographical areas within the Health Board.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of care to patients in the geographical region of Rhondda Cynnon Taf and Merthyr and will be based in Hafod Y Wennol but will travel to various locations within their geographical area of Rhondda Cynnon Taf and Merthyr.They will join a multi-professional team which includes medical staff, Nurses, Social Workers, Support Workers, Nutrition and Dietetics, Psychologists and Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Speech and Language Therapists and Behaviour Specialists whose responsibilities will include the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illness. The post-holder will be expected to work closely with consultant colleagues providing unscheduled care to ensure continuity of the care pathways.

The Learning Disability services in SBUHB are currently undergoing significant modernisation with the aim of becoming leaders in the field. The post holder will have the opportunity to be involved with this exciting programme.

Applicants should have full registration with the GMC, possess MRCPsych UK or have an equivalent post graduate qualification. They should be on the specialist register for Learning Disability Psychiatry or be within 6 months of achieving their CCT in Learning Disability Psychiatry. The ability to commute within the Health Board’s geographical area, with access to an appropriate means of transport is essential.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered with the GMC
• Licensed to practice
• On Specialist Register with GMC as a specialist in Learning Disabilities or eligible for CCT within 6 months of date of interview and have passed exit exam or a statement of eligibility for registration issued by PMETB or a primary medical qualification and recognized specialist qualification from a European Member State which will allow direct entry to the GMC Specialist Register

Desirable

• Further relevant degree/diploma
• Teaching qualification/Higher qualification in medical education

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of an ability to develop effective working relationships, on an individual and multi-disciplinary basis with all levels of staff (“Working Together”)
• Evidence of working with management and clinical colleagues to improve a service (“Always Improving”)
• Values partnership with other agencies (“Working Together”)
• Development and commissioning of local Learning Disabilities Services
• Evidence of teaching and training of post/undergraduate clinical staff
• Evidence of initiating, progressing and completing audit
• Experience of research in Learning Disabilities
• Awareness of legal responsibilities relevant to the role, such as around mental capacity and deprivation of liberty; data protection; equality and diversity
• (Specific) Experience of requirements of the role of Approved Clinician under the Mental Health Act 1983

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Effective leadership; ability to take responsibility and demonstrate leadership when appropriate
• Understands the importance of effective Team Working with all levels of staff, take time to listen, understand and involve people; receptive to appropriate change (“Working Together”)
• Understands and can apply the principles of Prudent Healthcare (“Caring for each other”)
• Excellent interpersonal skills – ability to communicate effectively (written and verbal) with patients, colleagues, relatives and staff; communicate openly and honestly and explain things clearly (“Caring for each other”)
• Understands information systems and technology
• Clinical Skills including competence of using the Mental Health Act 1983 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005

Desirable

• Demonstrates learning in Improvement science and methodology, ability and drive to use information and experience to improve the service (“Always Improving”)
• Welsh Language Skills are desirable levels 1 to 5 in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in Welsh

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Flexible and adaptable to competing demands with the ability to work effectively under pressure and cope with setbacks
• Ability to undertake on-call
• A commitment to continuous improvement, with a positive attitude, seeks out learning, and continually develops skills and the service (“Always Improving”)
• Enthusiasm to take a lead role in clinical development
• Empathy and sensitivity: ability to listen, understand and involve people; see people as individuals

Closing Date: 7 September 2026