Consultant Psychiatrist: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

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.

Join our Medical Team :: Careers Dorset

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.

Person Specification

Qualifications/Training

Essential

• General medical Qualification e.g. MBBS, or equivalent and hold a Licence to Practise.
• On Specialist Register in General Adult Psychiatry (open to Specialist Register on other Psychiatric specialities)
• Must be in possession or within 6 months of possession of a CCT in Psychiatry or on Specialist Register in Psychiatry.
• Section 12(2) approval and Responsible Clinician approval or ability to obtain approval before starting post.

Desirable

• MRCPsych or recognised equivalent, e.g., membership of a psychiatry college in another country.
• Further academic qualifications such as MRCGP, MRCP or research degree/diploma.
• Experience of medicine outside psychiatry e.g. general practice, medicine.

Clinical Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience in General Adult Psychiatry at senior /specialist registrar level.
• 3 years core training in psychiatry or equivalent.
• Experience of work in the NHS for at least two years.

Desirable

• More extensive experience e.g., in medicine, or General practice.
• Experience at Consultant Level.
• Experience in the treatment of patients with personality disorder.
• Management Experience
• Teaching experience
• Research Experience

Management Skills

Essential

• Understand the importance of working with managers in the interest of good patient care.
• Able to prioritise work as needed.
• Evidence of management/Leadership skills training
• To understand principles of multi-disciplinary team working.

Desirable

• Interest in undertaking management roles e.g., Lead clinician
• Previous management experience including that of other junior medical staff, approved Clinical Supervisor Educational Supervisor

Leadership Skills

Essential

• Understand principles of leadership and give examples of leadership in own practice.
• Able to provide clinical leadership to a multi-disciplinary team.
• To be able to prioritise work to meet competing clinical demands.

Clinical Governance

Essential

• To understand and actively support the principles of Clinical Governance including audit and outcome measures.
• To demonstrate a good understanding of continuing professional development needs and revalidation.

Self Awareness

Essential

• To have an understanding of own strengths and weaknesses and how these attributes affect professional functioning

Supervision of Junior medical Staff

Essential

• Knowledge of requirements for supervision and appraisal of junior medical staff.

Research and Audit

Essential

• Experience of carrying out an audit project
• Experience or involvement in a research project and publication
• Ability to supervisor junior medical staff and/or other staff from the MDT to undertake research projects

Desirable

• Published audit project.
• Ability to critically appraise published research.

Closing Date: 20 September 2026