Consultant Psychiatrist in Old Age Psychiatry – Darlington

Overview

In this role you will lead inpatient care for older people on Oak Ward, providing substantial clinical input while contributing to community services. You will participate in daily board rounds, deliver evidence-based care aligned with dementia and challenging behaviours pathways, and act as Responsible Clinician with MHA/MCA responsibilities. The post offers involvement in professional development and potential special interest work, with flexible working to support delivery across inpatient and community settings. You’ll work within a large, collaborative trust focused on high-quality mental health services.

Pay / Benefits

• flexible working

Responsibilities

• Provide around 6 clinical PAs on Oak Ward with ~1 PA per 2 patients
• Attend weekday board rounds to review all patients
• Assess and treat patients per evidence-based clinical pathways (Dementia, Behaviours that Challenge)
• Act as Responsible Clinician for ward patients; manage MHA duties and tribunals
• Prioritize MHA assessments and act as DOLS Mental Health Assessor for personal caseload
• Contribute to ad hoc Section 49 MCA reports as needed and share workload
• Support development of a special interest area (negotiable at hire or during Job Plan)

Key requirements

• MB BS or equivalent medical qualification
• Fully registered with the GMC with licence to practise
• Eligible for inclusion in 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 within 3 months of appointment

• Leadership and influence within a multidisciplinary team
• Excellent communication (oral and written)
• Adaptability and service-change mindset
• Knowledge of MHA and MCA duties
• DOLS assessment capability
• Clinical audit and service evaluation

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