Job overview
The exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated higher psychiatry resident (ST4 or above) with an interest in leadership, management and quality improvement to join South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust as 2026-27 chief registrar is available.
Main duties of the job
The chief registrar role provides higher residents with roughly 50% protected time (10% of which is special interest time) to develop skills and confidence in leadership, management and quality improvement. Learning that chief registrars gain from the Royal College of Physicians’ (RCP’s) bespoke development programme will be put into practice in a supported environment that provides autonomy, flexibility and support to develop and support projects that address key local challenges and priorities. This may include service improvement, engagement and morale, education and training, workforce, and sustainability.
The chief registrar role will suit residents who:
1. Want to learn about leadership and gain senior leadership experience
2. Are comfortable working in uncertain environments and across traditional boundaries
3. Relish the opportunity to develop their own ideas and initiatives
4. Are committed to and passionate about improving the NHS.
Working for our organisation
The chief registrar at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust will be mentored by the Chief Medical Officer and gain a unique insight into NHS leadership and management processes, as well as deeper knowledge of NHS structures and stakeholders.
The chief registrar will be expected to attend modules delivered as part of the RCP’s bespoke development programme, which will cover, for example, change management, team culture and development, quality improvement, leadership, influencing and personal resilience.
Applications are open to higher resident doctors:
5. At ST4 level or above
6. Working full time or less-than-full-time
7. Who have a national training number
8. Who have full GMC registration.
This is a fixed-term role for 12 months and will be undertaken in programme where roughly 50% of their role will be as ‘Chief Registrar’ and the rest undertaking their usual training route, including participation in the acute on-call rota.
In the first instance, applications must be discussed with your educational supervisor and training programme director (TPD), and permission to apply must be granted by the TPD.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To find out more information about this initiative please consult the RCP website:
For a discussion about the chief registrar post, please contact Dr Ruth Cairns -
Interviews will take place: 6th May 2026
The post will commence from August 2026. The education and leadership programme commences from September 2026.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
9. Full registration with General Medical Council
10. Hold a national training number
11. Should be ST4 or above
12. Evidence of satisfactory / more than satisfactory progress through training, including annual review of competence progression (ARCP) outcomes
Desirable criteria
13. Additional relevant degree (intercalated, masters or doctorate)
Clinical Skills
Essential criteria
14. Evidence of clinical competencies in their specialty appropriate for their stage in training
15. An appropriate knowledge base, and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems
16. Ability to work without supervision where appropriate
17. Ability to prioritise clinical need, maximise safety and minimise risk
Research
Essential criteria
18. Understanding of research, including awareness of ethical issues
19. Understanding of research methodology and ability to use basic qualitative and quantitative methods
Desirable criteria
20. Evidence of relevant academic achievements, including publications / presentations
Leadership and Management
Essential criteria
21. Evidence of effective team working and leadership, supported by multi-source feedback or workplace-based assessments
22. Interest in and knowledge of the importance of leadership and management for clinicians
Desirable criteria
23. Evidence of involvement in local management systems
24. Evidence of effective leadership (e.g. evidence of leading innovations or improvements)
Quality / service improvement or audit
Essential criteria
25. Understanding of clinical governance, including the basic principles of audit, clinical risk management, evidence-based practice, patient safety and quality improvement initiatives
26. Evidence of active involvement in quality improvement, audit, research or other activity that focuses on patient safety and clinical improvement and innovation
Desirable criteria
27. Evidence of a portfolio of audit / quality improvement projects, including evidence that the audit loop has been closed and evidence of learning about the principles of change management
28. Evidence of publications / presentations / prizes in quality improvement or audit
Education and teaching
Essential criteria
29. Evidence of interest in and experience of teaching
Desirable criteria
30. Development of teaching programmes