Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for a full-time Speciality Doctor post to work 1.0 WTE across the Durham and Darlington Crisis Service. The area has a population of approximately 500,000.
The Adult Crisis Service works on a 24/7 basis to undertake comprehensive triage assessment of individuals who are currently experiencing a mental health crisis, with the aim of preventing their admission to hospital. Where the individual is admitted to inpatient services, the crisis team works with them to support leave and recovery-based discharge and enable productive bed flow. The crisis service is also responsible for providing intensive home treatment and facilitating S136 assessments outside of street triage working hours. On average there are 300-400 referrals to the Crisis Team per month. Many of these referrals result in direct assessments but signposting and advice are alternative outcomes.
Currently the service is operated via two sites, one at Lanchester Road Hospital and one at West Park Hospital. Current job description is related to the West Park Hospital role. There is expectation that post holder for both sites will provide reciprocal cover if required. There is a daily report out meeting where all patients are discussed. It is recommended that these are attended in person however there is available technology attend these remotely.
Main duties of the job
Regular attendance at crisis team daily report out meetings. This may at times be using remote technology such as Microsoft Teams.
Participation in triage/assessment of patients referred to the crisis service in complex cases and when a medical opinion is required
Provision of medical reviews to patients receiving intensive home treatment.
Participation in formulation of patients presenting with complex difficulties including diagnostic uncertainty.
Involvement in multi-agency meeting for patients who repeatedly access services or who present to a variety of agencies and services
Provision of support and clinical supervision to the team where appropriate
Provision of teaching and training to the team
Liaison with GPs and interfacing agencies and services
Mental Health Act work It is preferable that the postholder has up-to-date S12 approval.
A range of opportunities to get involved in service development including evaluation of the new crisis service
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 are a multi-award winning trust and are included within the Health Service Journals Best 100 Places to Work. The trust take a positive and proactive approach to support staff in their personal development and has embedded the Talent Management approach within the Trust.
Psychiatrists are essential contributors to the majority of 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
19 February 2026
Pay scheme
Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade
Specialty Doctor
Salary
£61,542 to £99,216 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number
C9346-AMH-339M
Job locations
West Park Hospital
Edward Pease Way
Darlington
County Durham
DL2 2TS
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description for further information on this post. Please note that this job description has not yet been approved by The Royal College and therefore subject to change.
Person Specification
Teaching & Training
Essential
1. Able to deliver undergraduate or postgraduate teaching and training.
Desirable
2. Evidence of achievement in education, research, audit and service improvement: awards, prizes, presentations and publications.
CPD & Appraisal
Essential
3. Participated in continuous professional development.
4. Evidence of annual appraisal and commitment to appraisal and revalidation.
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.
7. At least 4 years postgraduate experience, including at least 2 years in a core psychiatry training programme in UK or abroad
8. Approved under S12 of MHA OR able to achieve within 6 months of appointment.
Desirable
9. MRCPsych or equivalent postgraduate qualification.
Clinical Knowledge & Skills
Essential
10. Good knowledge of psychiatry.
11. Excellent clinical skills using bio-psycho-social perspective and wide medical knowledge.
Desirable
12. Able to manage clinical complexity and uncertainty.
Research, Audit & Quality Improvement
Essential
13. Has actively participated in clinical audit.
Desirable
14. Shows commitment to quality through knowledge of quality improvement and lean thinking methodology.
15. Participated in research and/or service improvement.