Job Description

Would you like to be part of leading health and wellbeing service in the provision of mental health for inpatient and community care? Why not join Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust for the opportunity to flourish and excel in your career and be part of our dedicated medical team.
We are seeking a dynamic and compassionate Consultant Psychiatrist to join our multidisciplinary Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service working in PICU, Larkwood ward, based at St Aubyn Centre in Colchester. The post offers an excellent opportunity contribute to the delivery, development of high-quality mental health services for young people aged 13 - 18 and their family and also play an instrumental part in their recovery. You will play a key role in providing clinical leadership, assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning within a support and experienced multidisciplinary team.
Main duties of the job
The St Aubyn Centre is a purpose-built unit, with a therapeutic education department on site. It has a Generic Adolescent Unit that has 15 beds, and a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit that has 10 beds. The post holder will work across both wards with a maximum of 5 patients on each ward and will be part of an extensive MDT which includes 1 other consultant colleague, two specialty doctors and two core trainees.
The post holder will be part of an innovative team, who have implemented DBT practices on the ward over the past few years, winning a national award for their work!
You must have full GMC registration and be on the Specialist Register, with an appropriate CCT or equivalent or be within six months of obtaining your CCT on the date of the AAC.
About us
The trust is actively supportive of newly qualified consultants continuing professional development seeking to deepen and broaden their skills. As well as making a clinical difference, we believe that your development is key so you will be supported to enable you to pursue educational and research interests which go hand in hand to provide a high quality of care and safety to our patients. We have excellent links with the medical school at ARU and other educational establishments where we have shared appointments in teaching and research. We also offer generous relocation package.
EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;

• Season Ticket Loans
• NHS discounts for staff
• Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
• Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
• The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
• Day One Flexible Employer

The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment
Details
Date posted
11 November 2025
Pay scheme
Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade
Consultant
Salary
109,725 to 145,478 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
364-EPUT721
Job locations
St Aubyn Centre
Colchester
CO4 5HG
Job description
Job responsibilities

• The post holder will be responsible for a maximum of 10 young people admitted across the PICU and GAU wards. This would also include screening referrals, conducting tabletop assessments, joining meetings with the collaborative about complex cases in the East of England and liaising with community teams. We look at referrals from across the East of England and have an MDT team who screen referrals daily. The post holder will be expected to contribute to these meetings when able to. Within Essex, the community CAMHS services are provided by NELFT trust, who we work closely with in managing transitions to and from hospital. There are regular meetings with the Provider Collaborative within the East of England that the post holder is encouraged to attend to work more closely with other inpatient units and community teams in the region.
• Main duties include the assessment and treatment of all young people admitted to the unit with acute, complex and high risk presentations, mostly admitted on a formal basis. The post holder would therefore need to be AC approved.

• Work closely with colleagues cross all disciplines to regularly review the progress of treatment. This will include medication reviews, assessments of mental states, participation in ward reviews, CPA reviews and care planning meetings as well as preparing medical reports, and attending MHRT hearings as and when required. The post holder will have trainee doctors who can also contribute to this, under the supervision of the post holder.

• Participate in team meetings, to ensure clinical governance activities are maintained which will also include quality and management meetings.

• Participate in the training of core trainees including acting as a clinical supervisor. There are 5 WTE non-consultant doctors who will be based on the different wards supporting the consultants covering that ward. The supervision of the 5 doctors, including the core and higher trainees, will be distributed amongst the three consultants. Also contribute to the teaching and training of other Doctors, Medical Students and MDT members as appropriate.

• Use the specific allocated time for agreed SPA activity as well and be compliant with the Trusts programme of mandatory training.

• Collaborate with colleagues to cover absences due to annual leave and study leave and short term sickness.

• They can be part of the local consultants peer group.

Job description
Job responsibilities

• The post holder will be responsible for a maximum of 10 young people admitted across the PICU and GAU wards. This would also include screening referrals, conducting tabletop assessments, joining meetings with the collaborative about complex cases in the East of England and liaising with community teams. We look at referrals from across the East of England and have an MDT team who screen referrals daily. The post holder will be expected to contribute to these meetings when able to. Within Essex, the community CAMHS services are provided by NELFT trust, who we work closely with in managing transitions to and from hospital. There are regular meetings with the Provider Collaborative within the East of England that the post holder is encouraged to attend to work more closely with other inpatient units and community teams in the region.
• Main duties include the assessment and treatment of all young people admitted to the unit with acute, complex and high risk presentations, mostly admitted on a formal basis. The post holder would therefore need to be AC approved.

• Work closely with colleagues cross all disciplines to regularly review the progress of treatment. This will include medication reviews, assessments of mental states, participation in ward reviews, CPA reviews and care planning meetings as well as preparing medical reports, and attending MHRT hearings as and when required. The post holder will have trainee doctors who can also contribute to this, under the supervision of the post holder.

• Participate in team meetings, to ensure clinical governance activities are maintained which will also include quality and management meetings.

• Participate in the training of core trainees including acting as a clinical supervisor. There are 5 WTE non-consultant doctors who will be based on the different wards supporting the consultants covering that ward. The supervision of the 5 doctors, including the core and higher trainees, will be distributed amongst the three consultants. Also contribute to the teaching and training of other Doctors, Medical Students and MDT members as appropriate.

• Use the specific allocated time for agreed SPA activity as well and be compliant with the Trusts programme of mandatory training.

• Collaborate with colleagues to cover absences due to annual leave and study leave and short term sickness.

• They can be part of the local consultants peer group.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• MB BS or equivalent medical qualification
• Registration with the General Medical Council and on the Specialist Register.
• Meets Royal College of Psychiatrists criteria for appointment to the post of Consultant.
• Section 12 Approval and Approved Clinician Status.

Desirable

• Qualification or higher degree in medical education, clinical research or management.
• MRCPsych
• On the Specialist Register with qualifications CAMHS.
• Postgraduate degree in psychiatry MRC Psych or equivalent.
• Additional clinical qualifications.

Eligibility
Essential

• Fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practice at the time of appointment.
• Included on the GMC Specialist Register OR within six months.
• Approved clinician status.
• Approved under Section 12.

Desirable

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

Clinical skills, knowledge and experience
Essential

• 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

• Wide range of specialist and sub-specialist experience relevant to post within NHS or comparable service.
• Utilises a quality improvement approach to think systemically about complex problems, develop potential change ideas and test these in practice using a systematic QI methodology.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• MB BS or equivalent medical qualification
• Registration with the General Medical Council and on the Specialist Register.
• Meets Royal College of Psychiatrists criteria for appointment to the post of Consultant.
• Section 12 Approval and Approved Clinician Status.

Desirable

• Qualification or higher degree in medical education, clinical research or management.
• MRCPsych
• On the Specialist Register with qualifications CAMHS.
• Postgraduate degree in psychiatry MRC Psych or equivalent.
• Additional clinical qualifications.

Eligibility
Essential

• Fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practice at the time of appointment.
• Included on the GMC Specialist Register OR within six months.
• Approved clinician status.
• Approved under Section 12.

Desirable

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

Clinical skills, knowledge and experience
Essential

• 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

• Wide range of specialist and sub-specialist experience relevant to post within NHS or comparable service.
• Utilises a quality improvement approach to think systemically about complex problems, develop potential change ideas and test these in practice using a systematic QI methodology.

Skills Required