Consultant in General Adult Psychiatry - Barnet West Core Community inEdgware inEdgware PUBLISHED 22 MAY 2024

Detailed job description and main responsibilities


The post holder will have consultant and RC responsibility for a defined caseload of service users under the care of the Barnet West Locality Community Mental Health Team.

The post-holder will provide clinical and professional leadership in the Team and will take part in management activities related to the post and the wider service within which it is embedded.

Service development and quality improvement in line with the Trust's vision, values and objectives are core responsibilities.

The consultant psychiatrist is expected to establish good working relationships with the GPs in the West Locality catchment area.

Medical staff of the West Locality Team work as part of the multidisciplinary team delivering a community service to clients with the full range of mental and behavioural disorders. The post-holder is expected to participate in the CPA reviews, multi-disciplinary meetings, training, supervision of staff in the team, and the completion of relevant documentation.

The post-holder is expected to ensure appropriate clinical documentation, to collaborate with GPs, hospital doctors, and primary care clinicians regarding the physical healthcare of the patients and to take a lead within the Pathway to ensure team patients receive the appropriate level of physical healthcare.

The team is expected to actively manage their caseload; to facilitate recovery enabling patients to return to Primary Care once they are able, and to respond to new patients as they are referred.

Staff in the Locality Teams remain closely involved in the management of their clients during periods within the Acute Care Service with a view to actively facilitating discharge from in-patient care and the Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team without delay.

As a senior clinician, the post-holder has an integral role in maintaining the performance of the team, in further development of the service and clinical pathways.

The post-holder is expected to maintain compliance with all legal obligations as prescribed by the Mental Health Act (MHA) and the Ministry of Justice. The post-holder is expected to assess patients under the MHA and make recommendations under the MHA and to act as Responsible Clinician (RC) for patients detained under a S17A Mental Health Act 1983 (Community Treatment Order).

Part of the role of the post-holder is the supervision of junior medical staff and to observe compliance with the requirements of the Health Education England.

The post-holder is expected to report concerns about professional conduct or competence of medical or other colleagues.

The post-holder is expected to demonstrate willingness to be flexible in altering the timetable according to service needs and to be actively involved in providing leadership and management to the service. Ensuring fair access to services for all is part of this remit.


Person specification



Qualifications and Experience



Essential criteria

• Full registration with GMC and a license to practice
• Within six months of obtaining a CCT in general adult psychiatry or on the GMC Specialist Register
• Section 12 (2) and Approved Clinician status (or eligibility) - qualifies to act as Responsible Clinician
• Registered for the Continuing Professional Development Programme in the Royal College of Psychiatrists
• Membership of a Medical Defence Union

Desirable criteria

• Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
• Additional degree or equivalent
• Clinical supervision skills training
• Postgraduate teaching qualification
• Research experience

Management & Audit



Essential criteria

• Experience of medical audit / Quality Improvement projects
• Management skills

Desirable criteria

• Postgraduate management qualification
• Understanding of contracting, finance and activity monitoring

Service Development



Essential criteria

• Demonstrable record of clinical leadership
• Negotiation skills
• Understanding of equal opportunities and appropriate training

Desirable criteria

• Experience in developing a service component

IT Experience and Skills



Essential criteria

• Experience in data gathering and management
• Basic computer skills, including ability to use e-mail and internet

Desirable criteria

• Familiarity with RiO electronic notes

Personal Skills



Essential criteria

• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent spoken and written English
• Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team
• Enthusiasm and commitment to the NHS
• Highest level of integrity
• Capacity to respond positively to the constantly changing NHS environment

Two references will be required, one from your current or most recent employer, the other from your previous employer. The referees should be from persons with management responsibility.

If you have been unemployed for a period of four years or more, please give your last employer and one character referee of your choice (not members of your family). If more applicable, references will be requested from your Teacher or Head of Faculty. Please ensure you provide full contact details.

Please be aware that your documents eg. Passport/NI Card will be electronically scanned using Home Office accredited Verification System.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close vacancies before the stated closing date if sufficient number of applications are received. Therefore please apply as soon as possible.

All non- medical posts with the Trust are subject to a probationary period of six months, during which time you will be required to demonstrate to the Trust's satisfaction your suitability for the position in which you will be employed.

Should you not hear from us within three working weeks of the closing date for this post, then regretfully in this instance, you have not been shortlisted.


Employer certification / accreditation badges



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.


Documents to download

• Job description (PDF, 920.2KB)