Consultant Psychiatrist in Old Age Psychiatry – Darlington: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity for an old age consultant psychiatrist to become involved with the West Park inpatient team on Oak Ward.

This post is for a
full-time consultant psychiatrist working into our inpatient service on Oak
Ward (6 PAs), with a small amount of additional input into the collocated
community mental health team for older people (1.5 PAs). Oak Ward is a 12
bedded mixed-sex ward for older people with functional mental health
difficulties. The consultant will provide around 6 clinical PAs into this ward,
working on the principle of 1PA for every 2 patients.

Main duties of the job

The ward operates a report out every weekday
morning, which is effectively a board round of all patients on the ward. The consultant psychiatrist is expected
to attend this meeting wherever possible.

For the community component of the post,
this is based at the Darlington team base at West Park and this is
likely to include a combination of clinics at the team base, and home visits
across the catchment area. The consultant psychiatrist will also assess
and treat their patients in line with evidence based clinical practice and in
keeping with the Trust clinical pathways (with specific reference to the
Dementia and Behaviours that Challenge pathways).

The post-holder is expected to be
the Responsible Clinician for any patients on the ward and will undertake any
such duties that are specified by the Mental Health Act 1983 and in the
accompanying Code of Practice and preparing for and attending Mental Health Tribunals.

The post-holder is expected to
prioritise Mental Health Act Assessments for their own patients during working
hours and be a qualified DOLS Mental Health Assessor for any patients on their
personal caseload. Occasionally, there may be ad hoc Section 49 Mental Capacity
Act reports to prepare, and these are offered evenly amongst the consultant
body.

The Trust is eager to support
the development of a special interest and this is negotiable either at the time
of employment or at the Annual Job Plan Review meeting.

Person Specification

Leadership

Essential

• Reflects on own performance and behaviour, seeking and acting on feedback. Able to influence and persuade to improve services Able to take on leadership role in multidisciplinary team. Knowledge of structure and management of the NHS and the Trust. Shows commitment to quality through knowledge of quality improvement and lean thinking methodology OR able to achieve within one year of appointment Able to adapt to and lead service change.

Desirable

• Able to take on a leadership role outside the multidisciplinary team. Understanding of NHS & wider health economy and its implications for the work of the Trust. Trained to standard equivalent to level 2 in TEWV Trust Quality improvement system

Academic Skills & Lifelong Learning

Essential

• Able to deliver undergraduate or postgraduate teaching and training Participated in continuous professional development Participated in research or service evaluation. Able to use and appraise clinical evidence. Has actively participated in clinical audit.

Desirable

• Able to plan and deliver undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and training relevant to this post Reflected on purpose of CPD undertaken Experienced in clinical research and / or service evaluation. Evidence of achievement in education, research, audit and service improvement: awards, prizes, presentations and publications. Has led clinical audits leading to service change

Qualifications

Essential

• MB BS or equivalent medical qualification.
• Fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practise at the time of appointment.
• Eligible for inclusion in the Specialist Register in mental health services for older people or within 6 months of gaining CCT
• Approved clinician status OR able to achieve within 3 months of appointment
• Approved under S12 OR able to achieve with 3 months of appointment

Desirable

• Qualification or higher degree in medical education, clinical research or management.
• MRCPsych or equivalent postgraduate qualification.

Clinical Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Excellent knowledge in specialty Excellent clinical skills using bio-psycho-social perspective and wide medical knowledge Excellent oral and written communication skills in English Able to manage clinical complexity and uncertainty Makes decisions based on evidence and experience including the contribution of others Able to meet duties under MHA and MCA

Desirable

• Wide range of specialist and sub-specialist experience relevant to post within NHS or comparable service

Experience

Essential

• Describe your clinical experience relevant to this job role

Desirable

• Any other experience that may be applicable

Closing Date: 6 October 2026