Job Opportunity: Consultant Psychiatrist in Adult Mental Health Community Psychosis
We are excited to offer a unique opportunity for an experienced Consultant Psychiatrist to join our Adult Mental Health Community Psychosis team in North Durham. This position comes with the added benefit of a certificate of sponsorship for eligible international candidates looking to relocate to the United Kingdom.
Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest specialist mental health and learning disabilities trusts in the country, with an annual income of £320m and a workforce of approximately 6,700 staff. We provide inpatient and community services to 2 million people across Durham, Teesside, North Yorkshire, and surrounding areas.
This replacement post offers a full-time position for a Consultant working within the North Durham Mental Health Team, serving adults aged 18 and above who present with mental illness. The team operates Monday to Friday, with core hours from 9 am to 5 pm, though flexible working arrangements are available to see patients from 8 am to 6 pm.
The position offers a competitive salary ranging from £109,725 to £145,478 per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications. This is a permanent, full-time position with opportunities for flexible working arrangements.
About the Role
The North Durham Community Mental Health Team serves adults aged 18 upwards who present with mental illness. The team is integrated with Durham County Council and provides statutory Care Act assessments alongside mental health assessments. Patients with organic illness are managed by the Service for Older People.
The team is based at Chester Le Street Health Centre and covers the North Durham area, including Chester Le Street, Stanley, and Consett. There are approximately 3 whole-time equivalent consultants for these 3 areas, and we have excellent working relationships with primary care and local community/voluntary sectors.
The team receives on average 30 referrals per month, with at least 30% increasing to 50% during term time for neurodevelopmental assessments (ASD and ADHD diagnostic assessment). Referrals come from various sources including urgent care (crisis/inpatients/liaison), transition patients from CAMHS, and new patients from primary care.
The current caseload for the team is approximately 680 patients, though this is expected to reduce to around 620 as we validate and move patients to neuro-waiting lists. There are currently no Ministry of Justice patients and 2 patients on Community Treatment Orders.
Key Responsibilities
As a Consultant Psychiatrist in our team, you will provide committed, proactive, and responsible leadership working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team. You will attend daily huddle and decision-making meetings where patient care plans are developed to ensure the safety and well-being of our patients.
Your clinical responsibilities will include conducting assessments for new patients, providing follow-up and review services, offering diagnoses, and developing comprehensive treatment plans. You will ensure evidence-based prescribing and monitoring of pharmacological treatments and ECT.
You will act as a Responsible Clinician for patients on Community Treatment Orders within the team, complying with RC duties and completing necessary documentation and patient reviews in a timely manner. You will also be responsible for Mental Health Act Assessments in the community and participation in the day on-call rota.
Additionally, you will provide appropriate supervision to postgraduate medical staff and non-medical prescribers in the team, liaise with other community and in-patient teams and consultants, and participate in the out-of-hours on-call rota.
Person Specification
We are looking for candidates who demonstrate strong leadership qualities and the ability to reflect on their own performance and behavior, seeking and acting on feedback. You should be able to influence and persuade to improve services and take on leadership roles within the multidisciplinary team.
Essential qualifications include an MB BS or equivalent medical qualification, full registration with the GMC at the time of appointment, and the ability to deliver undergraduate or postgraduate teaching and training. You should have participated in continuous professional development, research or service evaluation, and have actively participated in clinical audit.
Desirable qualifications include a higher degree in medical education, clinical research, or management, MRCPsych or equivalent postgraduate qualification, and Approved Clinician Status and Section 12 Status (or the ability to achieve this within 3 months).
You should have excellent knowledge in your specialty and demonstrate strong clinical skills using a bio-psycho-social perspective. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are essential, along with the ability to manage clinical complexity and uncertainty.
Visa and Sponsorship Information
This position is eligible for a Certificate of Sponsorship for international candidates who require skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK. Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK must present a criminal record certificate from each country where they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. We recommend verifying your eligibility with the UK Visas and Immigration website and the NHS Careers website for overseas health professionals before applying.
The Trust is committed to ensuring that all employees have the right to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. We will conduct appropriate right to work checks for all successful candidates.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, please visit the NHS Jobs website and search for reference number C9346-AMH-328M1. The closing date for applications is 04 January 2026.
When completing your application, please ensure you highlight your relevant experience and qualifications, particularly those that align with the person specification. If you are an international candidate, please provide details of your current visa status or any requirements for sponsorship.
Our recruitment process includes a thorough assessment of qualifications, experience, and suitability for the role. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview, which may include presentations and practical exercises.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Contact Information
For questions about the job, please contact Rosie Wheadon, Medical Recruitment Advisor, via email at [email protected]. Please note that phone contact is not available for this position.
For general inquiries about working in the NHS or relocating to the UK, you may contact the NHS Careers team through their website. Additional information about Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust can be found on our official website at https://www.tewv.nhs.uk/.
We understand that relocating to a new country can be challenging, and we are committed to supporting our international employees throughout the relocation process. This includes assistance with visa applications, housing support, and information about local services and amenities.
Additional Information
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and a submission for Disclosure will be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
The Trust values continuous professional development and supports employees in pursuing further education and training opportunities. We have a robust appraisal system in place to support career progression and professional development.
Our Trust is committed to providing a healthy work-life balance for all employees. We offer a range of benefits including flexible working arrangements, access to occupational health services, and a generous pension scheme.
We are proud of our diverse workforce and the high-quality care we provide to our local communities. Joining our team offers the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of people experiencing mental health challenges while developing your career in a supportive environment.
