Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a Consultant Psychiatrist to join our supportive and developing specialist service, where you will provide clinical leadership, contribute to service development and help shape the future of Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) and At-Risk Mental State (ARMS) services across Dorset. This is a newly created role with an exciting opportunity to develop the service.

Based at the Hillcrest Unit in Bournemouth, you will work as part of a pan-Dorset multidisciplinary team delivering high-quality, recovery-focused care. EIP supports people aged 14-65, while ARMS supports young people aged 14-35.

This varied role offers the opportunity to provide specialist clinical expertise in assessing and managing of complex mental health presentations, including psychosis. You will undertake new patient assessments, medical reviews, Mental Health Act assessments, tribunal work and care planning, delivered across clinic, community and home settings where appropriate.

You will join a supportive, forward-thinking specialist service committed to excellent patient outcomes. ARMS is primarily psychologically led, with medical oversight from the Consultant Psychiatrist. Referrals come from community, CMHT, primary care and inpatient services, providing an opportunity to work across the wider general adult pathway.

If you would like to discuss how this role could work for you please contact our Associate Medical Director, Dr Eman Shweikh 01202 492083

Main duties of the job
As Consultant Psychiatrist you'll provide clinical leadership and expert psychiatric assessment and management within EIP and ARMS. You'll work closely with multidisciplinary colleagues, including an Advanced Clinical Practitioner to deliver safe, effective and person-centred care in clinic and community settings.

You'll contribute to assessments, medical reviews, Mental Health Act assessments, tribunals, discharge planning and collaborative care with community mental health teams, inpatient services and primary care. You'll support the interface between EIP, ARMS and wider general adult pathway.

This post attracts an Enhanced Recruitment and Retention payment of £20,000 to be paid as two lump sums. The first £10,000 will be paid on appointment in the role and the remaining £10,000 will be made on the anniversary of the start date. Both payments will be subject to deductions at source, plus a further relocation package of up to £10,000 if relocating to Dorset. We also offer flexible working, a supportive Consultant body, excellent NHS benefits, 10 days' study leave and an annual study budget of up to £1,000.

You'll have the opportunity to participate in the county-wide senior on-call rota, attracting a 3% availability supplement plus 0.75 APA per week, with an on-call frequency of approximately 1 in 21. Dedicated administrative support is provided, with opportunities for teaching, research, quality improvement and service development.

About us
At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

Essential qualifications and training

• General medical qualification e.g. MBBS, or equivalent and hold a Licence to Practise.
• On Specialist Register in General Adult Psychiatry (open to Specialist Register on other Psychiatric specialities).
• Must be in possession or within 6 months of possession of a CCT in Psychiatry or on Specialist Register in Psychiatry.
• Section 12(2) approval and Responsible Clinician approval or ability to obtain approval before starting post.

Essential clinical skills, knowledge and experience

• Demonstrable experience in General Adult Psychiatry at senior/specialist registrar level.
• 3 years core training in psychiatry or equivalent.
• Experience of work in the NHS for at least two years.

Essential management and leadership skills

• Understand the importance of working with managers in the interest of good patient care.
• Able to prioritise work as needed.
• Evidence of management/Leadership skills training.
• To understand principles of multi-disciplinary team working.
• Understand principles of leadership and give examples of leadership in own practice.
• Able to provide clinical leadership to a multi-disciplinary team.

Essential clinical governance, self-awareness and supervision

• To understand and actively support the principles of Clinical Governance including audit and outcome measures.
• To demonstrate a good understanding of continuing professional development needs and revalidation.
• To have an understanding of own strengths and weaknesses and how these attributes affect professional functioning.
• Knowledge of requirements for supervision and appraisal of junior medical staff.

Essential research and audit

• Experience of carrying out an audit project.
• Experience or involvement in a research project and publication.
• Ability to supervise junior medical staff and/or other staff from the MDT to undertake research projects.

Desirable

• MRCPsych or recognised equivalent, e.g., membership of a psychiatry college in another country.
• Further academic qualifications such as MRCGP, MRCP or research degree/diploma.
• Experience of medicine outside psychiatry e.g. general practice, medicine.
• More extensive experience e.g., in medicine, or General practice.
• Experience at Consultant Level.
• Experience in the treatment of patients with personality disorder.
• Management experience, teaching experience and research experience.
• Interest in undertaking management roles e.g., Lead clinician.
• Previous management experience including that of other junior medical staff, approved Clinical Supervisor or Educational Supervisor.
• Published audit project.
• Ability to critically appraise published research.

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.

UK registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Closing date: 25 November 2026
Reference number: 152-ME18.26
Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade: Consultant
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from everyone.