Specialist Grade Doctor in Psychiatry

Job summary
Specialist Grade Doctor in Psychiatry Hillingdon Older Adult Mental Health Service FTC 12 Months 10PAs
We have an opportunity for a dynamic and enthusiastic Specialist Medic to join our innovative older adult mental health service in a full-time (10 PA) role. The primary focus of this role will be working in Oak Tree ward, our 17 bed older adult acute mental health ward. Oak Tree ward provides acute care for both women and men living with dementia and / or presenting with complex psychiatric needs that can not be safely met in community settings.

In addition to the ward the service has a CMHT, Home Treatment Service, and Memory Service, and given the very integrate way in which our teams work and deliver care, there will be job planned opportunities for the post-holder to work into all areas of the service. The service has excellent links and relationships with wider health, social, and VCSE partners in Hillingdon, and is an active contributor to the development of Neighbourhood Health and Integrated Neighbourhood Teams in the Borough. The service culture is one of delivering the highest quality of care to older people in Hillingdon, with a strong focus and track record in service development and innovation. The post holder will be supported to play an active role in supporting this work, in addition to core clinical activities.

Main duties of the job

• To offer speciality grade leadership and expertise to the Oak Ward and, when required, the wider OA teams.
• To take a lead in assessing and following up the most complex and difficult cases referred to the service
• To play an active role in supporting the development of the Hillingdon Older Adult Service.
• To undertake risk assessments and to contribute to planning and implementing service users' care plans.
• To carry out the above on the ward and, when required, community settings, including home visits, and other non-stigmatising settings.
• To work flexibly to ensure that clients and their carers are able to access the service effectively.
• To provide the day-to-day medical cover to Oak Tree Ward, under the supervision of the Oak Tree Consultant.
• To participate in the Middle Grade on-call rota for Hillingdon. Currently the frequency of on call is 1:10 but this may vary in the future according to service needs.
• To be an active member of the multi disciplinary team and participate in team MDT
• To involve the user and carers in the treatment, management and care planning of a user's mental health and physical care.
• To liaise effectively with all approporate partner agencies in the delivery of care.
• To ensure that clinical records are kept up to date, accurate, signed and legible.
• To ensure that all aspects relating to discharging clients are appropriately dealt with, and all clients are diagnosed with ICD10 code.
• To participate in audits and QI projects.

About us
Oak Tree Ward is a modern 17-bedded en-suite unit providing assessment and treatment for older adults with complex or acute mental health needs, with the aim of supporting a return to independent living. The multidisciplinary team includes doctors, psychiatric nurses, an occupational therapist, a psychologist and healthcare assistants. The ward is based at the Woodland Centre on the Hillingdon Hospital site, alongside other Older Adult services including CMHT, Home Treatment and Memory Services.

On average, there are around four admissions and four discharges per month. Most patients are admitted from their usual residence, with a small proportion from the general hospital. The average length of stay (August 2021) was 64 days. Most patients return home on discharge, with a small number requiring placements.

Approximately two-thirds have a primary organic diagnosis.

Patients requiring ongoing support can be referred to the Home Treatment Service and access therapy via the Specialist Therapies Team. The Specialist Memory Service provides assessment and intervention for dementia. The team works closely with Social Care on placement.

Apply through our website

Job responsibilities
The post holder will be expected to work in partnership with service users, family members, carers and other care teams, so that they are fully involved in and empowered to make decisions about their treatment and care. It remains a priority to establish and maintain good communication and effective working relationships with referrers and to work closely with other agencies. It will be important for the post holder to build a knowledge of and links with voluntary and independent service providers locally.

Person Specification
Education and Qualifications Training
Essential

• MB BS or equivalent medical qualification.
• Full GMC Registration with a license to practice
• To be section 12(2) MHA 1983 approved (or achieve within 6 months of apt), if not have
• Approved Clinician (AC) status/approval and be on the AC Register.
• A minimum of six years should have been in a relevant specialty in the Specialty Doctor and/or closed SAS grades.
• Equivalent years' experience in a relevant specialty from other medical grades including from overseas.

Desirable

• MRCPsych (or equivalent)
• An additional post graduate qualification of relevance to (own specialty)

Experience
Essential

• Proficient in risk assessment and management
• Experience of working in multidisciplinary teams
• Experience of use of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act in an inpatient psychiatric setting
• Demonstrable leadership skills
• Adequate training in child and adult safeguarding
• Demonstrates ability to challenge others, escalating concerns when necessary.

Desirable

• Experience of service development/business planning
• High level knowledge of planned developments at a national level to improve efficiency and deliver quality services

Skills Knowledge & Qualities
Essential

• Good interpersonal and communications skills in line with the Trust's Core Behaviours
• Communicates effectively using the English Language and is able to share decision-making with patients, relatives and carers; treats patients as individuals, promoting a person-centred approach to their care.
• sound organisational skills
• Awareness of their leadership responsibilities as a clinician and demonstrates appropriate leadership behaviour.
• Demonstrates understanding of a range of leadership principles, approaches and techniques so can adapt leadership behaviours to improve engagement and outcomes.
• Awareness of legal responsibilities relevant to the role, such as around mental capacity and deprivation of liberty; data protection; equality and diversity.
• Ability to work on own initiative

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country 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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Woodland Centre, Pield Heath Road, Uxbridge, UB8 2PX, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

For questions about the job, contact:
Consultant Psychiatrist
Dr Andrea Tocca
View email address on meeveem.com

Details
Date posted: 28 July 2026
Pay scheme: Other
Salary: £104,401 to £115,341 a year per annum (pro rata if less than full time)
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 333-G-HM-SD-00011
Job locations: Woodland Centre, Pield Heath Road, Uxbridge, UB8 2PX, United Kingdom