Consultant Psychiatrist & Medical Director - North East PICU & Acute
We are seeking an experienced full-time Consultant Psychiatrist who will work at Cygnet Hospital Hexham and provide senior medical cover on Franklin ward, our 10 bedded female PICU service.
Apart from being the Responsible Clinician at Franklin ward, you will also be the Medical Director for our PICU and Acute services based in the North East of England.
Main duties of the job
Cygnet Hospital Hexham is a 27 bed mental health facility for women with complex mental health needs, built to meet the latest national specifications for improving mental health within a therapeutic environment.
Situated amongst the soft fields and meadows of the Tyne valley, the hospital will provide an important and much‑needed service for service users within the North East of England.
About us
Cygnet has been providing a national network of high‑quality specialist mental health services for more than 30 years and has a reputation for delivering pioneering services and outstanding outcomes. We maintain good relationships with our quality regulators and undergo regular inspections, with 85% of our services rated Good or Outstanding.
Job responsibilities
Helping others improve and turn their lives around is what we do for thousands of people at more than 150 sites across the UK. This role is a full‑time position with 0.2 WTE as Medical Director and 0.8 WTE as Consultant Psychiatrist.
As a Medical Director you will:
- Ensure optimal clinical outcomes for the people in our care.
- Lead on all aspects of clinical practice & serve as an example of operational excellence.
- Provide leadership for medical staff on both professional and managerial issues whilst monitoring their performance.
- Supervise all consultants and ensure consultants are supervising SDs and ASs.
- Provide expert knowledge & support within the service & to the wider team.
- Ensure quality & compliance with internal & external standards & regulations.
- Work with colleagues to provide integrated, whole‑person treatment & care.
- Ensure regular communication and meetings with medical staff.
- Assist in recruitment and retention of medical staff to provide a high‑quality clinical service.
- Ensure that medical staff are involved in hospital clinical governance.
- Work in conjunction with hospital managers to lead on the successful implementation of CQC outcomes for 4, 7 and 9.
- Chair medical advisory committee meetings and attend Cygnet Medical Directors meetings.
- Liaise with Responsible Officer and Regional Medical Director in respect of concerns about fitness to practice issues for medical staff.
As a Consultant Psychiatrist you will:
- Lead on the provision of high‑quality care to service users admitted to Franklin Ward.
- Act as a positive role model, maintaining and demonstrating a positive attitude towards patients, their families, and other staff.
- Take overall responsibility for patient treatment plans in conjunction with the multi‑disciplinary team.
- Assess referrals & undertake mental state examinations of service users.
- Undertake appropriate investigations, diagnosis & treatment.
- Conduct ward rounds, patient reviews & clinical audits.
- Lead the implementation of risk assessment, risk management & embed clinical governance within the service.
- Supervise reports for Mental Health Act tribunals & management hearings & attend hearings.
- Liaise with the Ministry of Justice for transfer of patients and approval of leave as required.
- Maintain good patient records.
- Ensure regular communication with the Site Medical Director and Hospital Manager.
- Communicate effectively through regular contact with patients, relatives, staff, directors, and any other concerned bodies; maintaining appropriate reports.
- Attend and contribute to academic meetings and adhere to the professional standards for CPD as set out by the GMC, the Department of Health and the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
- Contribute to (insert frequency) telephone on‑call rota.
Benefits
- Salary up to £175,000 per year.
- Generous annual leave entitlement that increases with length of service.
- 5 days study leave, study budget and in‑house CPD/peer group programme.
- Company‑paid Life Assurance scheme covering 3× salary.
- Contributory pension scheme.
- Research opportunities including publishing in The Cygnet Journal and joining the Cygnet Research & Development Group.
- Teaching opportunities within the Cygnet CESR and MRCPsych programmes.
- Opportunity to lead and participate in QI & Audit initiatives.
- Company‑funded cash plan allowing up to £1,000 per annum in benefits (physiotherapy, osteopathy, optical, dental, consultations, scans, free prescriptions).
- Gym discounts across the UK, free online fitness classes with ClassPass, nutritional programmes and fitness consultations.
- Discount schemes including Reward Gateway, NHS Discount and Blue Lights Card.
- Free meals, on‑site parking and EAP support.
- Smart Health Toolkit, including 24‑hour GP service with prescription delivery.
- Electric car scheme.
We are looking for someone who is...
- Fully GMC registered & MBBS (or equivalent) qualified.
- Registered on the specialist register (CCT/CESR), Section 12 and AC Status.
- Experienced & knowledgeable in (insert speciality).
- Knowledgeable of the Mental Health Act and Code of Practice, along with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Code of Capacity.
- A first‑rate communicator who can interview, assess & treat patients & write clear, comprehensive medical notes.
- Committed to continued professional development.
- Able to work as part of a multi‑disciplinary team.
- A member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych) or equivalent.
Requirements
The successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS and reference check and an offer of employment will be subject to successful clearance.
Person Specification
- Please refer to the job description above.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required to verify any previous criminal convictions.
£175,000 a year (depending on experience).
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