Consultant Psychiatrist - Bristol PICU

Are you a Consultant Psychiatrist who is passionate about improving mental health services? Do you want to work for a Trust whose priority is to provide high quality compassionate care?

The Trust is seeking a Consultant Psychiatrist to join the female Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Elizabeth Casson House (ECH), based at Callington Road Hospital, Bristol. This is an established post and will be vacant due to the current post holder retiring at the end of July 2025.

ECH underwent an upgrade to the building in 2022 receiving a much-improved clinical environment with a purpose built seclusion and separate enhanced care area. ECH is commissioned as an 8 bedded female only PICU for the whole of the AWP catchment area. All rooms are en-suite rooms with communal facilities. There is access to on-ward therapy provision with an allocated Clinical Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, and a diverse range of on-site therapies in Larch.

Bristol is known for big city life with easy access to beautiful countryside and beaches. It is well connected with an international airport only 30 minutes from the centre. Trains to London take just over 90 minutes. Bristol has a range of neighbourhoods that suit diverse tastes and lifestyles, combining urban living with beautiful surroundings. It is ideal for families, with a number of great schools and the university is one of the most respected in the country.

We offer one of the most competitive and flexible benefits packages.

Main duties of the job

As the consultant you will provide regular ward reviews, providing visible and accessible support to not only the Specialty Doctor and resident doctors but also the wider multi-disciplinary team.

You will lead on weekly ward rounds to the inpatient unit, providing visible and accessible support and leadership to the nursing team.

This post is evolving new ways of working to include systems for consultant time to be focused on those patients that need senior medical input so that decision-making, treatment and discharge planning, and liaison with the Crisis team happens promptly. This also includes undertaking assessments of patients referred for a female PICU with the Ward Manager / Matron, to advise on clinical pathway and treatment options, should an admission not be required. To support this, the Consultant will not have responsibilities outside of this team, other than attending some CPD activities or interface meetings with other teams.

You will act as RC for detained inpatients and will have a medical legal role which will include the preparation of MHA Tribunal and other reports and attending MHA Tribunals.

You will be encouraged and supported to be a Senior Clinical Leader, involved in service development and quality improvement.

Join our dedicated medical team and flourish and excel in your career.

About us

We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust), a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care. We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset. Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.

Please note that Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust is not currently a sponsor under the GMC Sponsorship Scheme. As a result, we regret to inform you that we are unable to consider applications from individuals who require GMC sponsorship.

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the accompanying job description for full details on the roles and responsibilities of this post.

Person Specification Qualifications

• MB BS or equivalent medical qualification
• Relevant Higher Degree e.g MD, PHD, MSc or other additional clinical qualifications
• MRCPsych OR MRCPsych equivalent approved by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
• Fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practise at the time of appointment
• Included on the GMC Specialist Register OR within six 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
• CCT in General Adult Psychiatry

Experience

• Experience of assessing and treating patients in an inpatient setting.

Personal Skills

• To possess leadership skills and be able to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to manage own time, workload and prioritise clinical work
• Able to demonstrate excellent communication skills, in order to effectively work with patients, carers and staff.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

Clinical Skills

• Ability to assess and treat psychiatric problems in Adults of working age and to deal with crisis situations.

Knowledge

• Understanding of the management skills required to function successfully as a Consultant.

Teaching

• Commitment to and experience of undergraduate and postgraduate learning and teaching.
• Understand principles of teaching.

Research and Audit

• Experience or involvement in a research project and publication.
• Experience of carrying out an audit project.

Management

• Evidence of management/leadership skills training.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Address

Elizabeth Casson House, Callington Road Hospital