Job Description

Main area

Consultant Psychiatrist for Older adults in Juniper Ward

Grade

NHS Medical & Dental: Consultant

Contract

Permanent

Hours

Full time - 10 sessions per week (+ one additional flexible PA + on-call supplement (1%))

Job ref

373-MED1246

Site

Juniper Ward

Town

Chester

Salary

109,725 - 145,478 per annum

Salary period

Yearly

Closing

07/11/2025 23:59

Interview date

20/11/2025



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Job overview

This is an existing post which has arisen due to the current consultant moving to a different role. The post holder will cover Juniper Ward in Bowmere Hospital, Countess of Chester site, Chester 1.0 WTE.



Juniper Ward is a mixed category open age inpatient mental health ward caring for people aged 18 and above in West Cheshire. They provide service to patients presenting with different mental disorders including affective disorder, psychosis and personality disorder where patients can be admitted informally or detained on the Mental health Act. It has a fully functional Multidisciplinary team with input from resident doctors including foundation trainees, core and higher trainees, Psychology, Occupational therapy team, and Pharmacy. The post holder will be the inpatient consultant and the responsible clinician for people who are detained under the Mental Health Act in the ward. The post holder will be expected to enhance current care pathways for inpatient care and will work closely with the Home Treatment Team and CMHT to support care and treatment.


The consultant will participate in the West Consultant Psychiatrist on-call rota. On call rota is of low frequency and not less than one in 13.



Planned shortlisting is 13th November


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Main duties of the job

The post-holder will be responsible for delivering consultant psychiatric input to older adult patients referred to and admitted to Juniper ward and provide medical input into SPA, with the agreed Acute Service Operational Policy. This includes:
It is expected for post holder to provide Consultant Psychiatrist input and Responsible Clinician cover for service users in Juniper ward.

The post holder is expected to be involved flexibly and creatively with colleagues as part of a multidisciplinary team promoting informed risk taking and anti-discriminatory practice

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Working for our organisation

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) provides health and care services for a population of over one million people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care, as well as the provision of three GP surgeries in Cheshire.



We employ around 4,500 staff across 73 sites and have services across Wirral and Cheshire, as well as Trafford, Warrington, Bolton, Halton, Liverpool and Stockport.



Our aim is to help improve the lives of everyone in our communities, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We are rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission, with a Good rating overall.



As a Disability Confident Employer, Rainbow Badge Scheme member, Veteran Aware organisation and proud holder of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, CWP is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible and developing a culture that values differences, and welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.

All new starters will commence in post on one fixed start date each month, in line with our Prepare to Care (P2C) induction programme date. P2C offers up to 3 weeks training to support you to meet the induction / initial training requirements of the role.



Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your existing skills and experience in a new role, you'll find something to suit you at CWP.


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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please download a copy of the job description (see 'documents to download' section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.



At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.



CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trust's Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.



Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trust's Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trust's Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.



An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: cwp.recruitment@nhs.net or by calling 01244 393100.



If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the 'essential' criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer 'YES' to the question: 'Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?'



Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.



The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.



Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of 16 per year applies.



New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.



Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.



Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!


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Person specification

Qualifications

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Essential criteria

MB BS or equivalent medical qualification. #

Desirable criteria

Qualification or higher degree in medical education, clinical research or management. MRCPsych Additional clinical qualifications.

ELIGIBILITY

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Essential criteria

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. 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 criteria

In good standing with GMC with respect to warning and conditions on practice

CLINICAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

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Essential criteria

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 criteria

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


You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.



Further details / informal visits contact

Name

Dr Liji Premlal

Job title

Specialty Doctor

Email address

liji.premlal@nhs.net

Additional information

If you consider yourself Neurodivergent and need help to complete your application form, please contact

cwp.recruitment@nhs.net

or telephone 01244 393100