Job summary
This is a replacement post for a full time Consultant working in Easington Mental Health Team. Easington treatment and intervention Mental Health Team serves Adults aged 18 upwards who present with a mental illness. The team is integrated with Durham County Council and provides statutory care act assessments alongside mental health assessment. Patients with an organic illness are managed by Service for Older People. The service operates Monday to Friday between the hours of 9 to 5, with flexible working to see patients from 8am to 6pm. The team caters to an area of practice in Co Durham region. The team is based at Merrick House Easington, with a large community base. The Team provides secondary mental health service input for all mental health conditions for working age adult population. Patients are seen both at base and in the local community. The team operates in the new community hub and intervention model. Initial assessments carried by senior staff. Patients receive support either in hub or intervention according to needs and complexity of presentation.
The team provides specialist support to patients with significant mental health difficulties such as mood disorders/ schizophrenia/ bipolar disorder/ personality disorder and adult neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD/ Autism.
Main duties of the job
Clinical duties of post holder
The Consultant will provide committed, proactive and responsible leadership working with the team.
The Consultant will attend the Daily Huddle and daily decision meetings where decisions are made about patient care and the management plan and to promote the safety and well-being of the patients The Consultant will undertake assessments for new patients and follow up and review patients, the Consultant will also provide a diagnosis and treatment plan.
The Consultant will ensure evidence-based prescribing and monitoring of pharmacological treatment and ECT.
The Consultant will attend and fully contribute to formulation meetings and Complex patients review meetings
The Consultant will provide consultation and advice on a daily basis to the team, and review patients as required
The consultant is expected to respect the rights and the dignity of patients and to consider the individual and cultural needs of patients and work with families and carers in the best interest of the patient.
The Consultant will be expected to have familiarity with all important, relevant legislation affecting the Adult Mental Health population.
About us
We are one of the largest specialist mental health and learning disabilities trusts in the country, with an annual income of £320m and a workforce of some 6,700 staff operating from around 100 sites in Durham, Teesside, North Yorkshire and York and Selby. We provide a range inpatient and community services to 2m people living in County Durham, the Tees Valley, Scarborough, Whitby, Ryedale, Harrogate, Hambleton and Richmondshire. We also provide additional specialist services to other parts of Northern England.
We deliver our services by working in partnership with eight local authorities and clinical commissioning groups, a wide range of voluntary organisations, as well as service users, their carers and the public.
Psychiatrists are essential contributors to our mental health teams. Service users expect and are justified to expect collaborative relationships with dedicated psychiatrists who work consistently as part of effective services. The Medical Directorate and Medical Development Team are striving to improve medical workforce recruitment and retention in a variety of ways and the cornerstone of these efforts is The TEWV Charter for the Medical Workforce. (Please see attached Supporting Document).
Details
Date posted
27 November 2025
Pay scheme
Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade
Consultant
Salary
£109,725 to £145,478 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number
C9346-AMH-331M
Job locations
Merrick House
Seaside Lane
Easington
Peterlee
County Durham
SR8 3DY
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description for further information on this post. Please note that the job description is pending approval by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Person Specification
Leadership
Essential
1. Reflects on own performance and behaviour, seeking and acting on feedback. Able to influence and persuade to improve services Able to take on leadership role in multidisciplinary team. Knowledge of structure and management of the NHS and the Trust. Shows commitment to quality through knowledge of quality improvement and lean thinking methodology OR able to achieve within one year of appointment Able to adapt to and lead service change.
Desirable
2. Able to take on a leadership role outside the multidisciplinary team. Understanding of NHS & wider health economy and its implications for the work of the Trust. Trained to standard equivalent to level 2 in TEWV Trust Quality improvement system
Academic Skills & Lifelong Learning
Essential
3. Able to deliver undergraduate or postgraduate teaching and training Participated in continuous professional development Participated in research or service evaluation. Able to use and appraise clinical evidence. Has actively participated in clinical audit.
Desirable
4. Able to plan and deliver undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and training relevant to this post Reflected on purpose of CPD undertaken Experienced in clinical research and / or service evaluation. Evidence of achievement in education, research, audit and service improvement: awards, prizes, presentations and publications. Has led clinical audits leading to service change
Qualifications
Essential
5. MB BS or equivalent medical qualification.
6. Fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practise at the time of appointment.
Desirable
7. Qualification or higher degree in medical education, clinical research or management.
8. MRCPsych or equivalent postgraduate qualification.
9. Approved Clinician Status and Section 12 Status OR be able to achieve within 3 months.
Clinical Knowledge & Skills
Essential
10. Excellent knowledge in specialty Excellent clinical skills using bio-psycho-social perspective and wide medical knowledge Excellent oral and written communication skills in English 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
11. Wide range of specialist and sub-specialist experience relevant to post within NHS or comparable service
Experience
Essential
12. Describe your clinical experience relevant to this job role
Desirable
13. Any other experience that may be applicable