Consultant Psychiatrist – Addictions

NHS; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 109,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional health trust is seeking a Consultant Psychiatrist to join their 17-bed inpatient detoxification unit in Liverpool. The successful candidate will work with a multidisciplinary team to provide high-quality care to patients undergoing detoxification. Essential qualifications include an MB BS or equivalent and registration with the GMC. The position offers a salary range of £109,725 to £145,478 annually, plus additional benefits.

Qualifications

• Fully registered with the GMC with a license to practice.
• Approved clinician status or ability to achieve within 3 months.
• Minimum 12 months training in Substance Misuse.

Responsibilities

• Hold responsibility for your caseload and inpatients as a Consultant Psychiatrist.
• Supervise and support team members who carry out assessments.
• Lead patient reviews and Multidisciplinary reviews.

Skills

General Adult Psychiatry

Addiction Psychiatry

English communication skills

Clinical management

Education

MB BS or equivalent medical qualification

Inclusion on GMC Specialist Register

Job description

Overview

We are offering an exciting opportunity for a Consultant Psychiatrist to join The Hope Centre, a 17-bed regional inpatient detoxification unit within Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust. You will work with a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care to individuals undergoing detoxification from drugs and alcohol. The post supports development of research interests, including a new Ketamine detox protocol, with Mersey Care’s collaboration with the University of Liverpool to create the Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre.

Merseyside and the surrounding areas offer an exceptional quality of life with easy access to the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, North Wales, good schools, local beaches and family-friendly communities, a vibrant cultural scene and active arts, sport and events.

Responsibilities

• Hold responsibility for your caseload and inpatients as a Consultant Psychiatrist.
• Supervise and support team members who carry out assessments; perform comprehensive psychiatric assessments for new admissions and provide medical interventions for patients.
• Support staff to manage psychiatric emergencies.
• Lead patient reviews and Multidisciplinary reviews, CPA reviews, discharge planning meetings and multi-professional meetings.
• Act as the responsible clinician for the Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007) and operate in accordance with the code of practice.
• Carry out comprehensive risk assessments and participate in the Trust's risk management processes (e.g., Health Risk Assessment and Management Meetings, MAPPA if required).
• Provide medical leadership to the team and maintain effective communication with other parts of the mental health service, maternity services and primary care.
• Liaison with families/carers and with the Criminal Justice System where necessary; engage with other stakeholders as appropriate.

About us

Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 1.4 million people and commissioning for services across the North West, North Wales and the Midlands. We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health, including specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. We are committed to delivering safe, effective, timely, equitable and efficient care and are undertaking a programme of transformation to improve quality and reduce costs. Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles.

Details

Date posted: 16 September 2025

Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade: Consultant

Salary: £109,725 to £145,478 per year, plus 10% R&R (non-contractual) and on-call supplement

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 350-MED7320545-A

Job locations: Hope Centre / Brook Place, Smithdown Road / Orphan Drive, Liverpool L15 2HE

Job description and requirements

The Addictions Services at Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust provides integrated drug and alcohol inpatient detoxification services across Merseyside. It is a regional detox unit with 17 inpatient beds. The postholder will work closely with a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality inpatient care and may supervise trainees. There are opportunities for clinical supervision, teaching and involvement in ward rounds. The unit serves patients not suitable for community detox and admits those with robust aftercare plans. The ward rounds occur twice weekly, and the Consultant leads rounds during the week. There are established groups, pharmacological interventions, and strong links with local hepatology and referral pathways to the acute hospital on site.

Patient referrals are from locality-based community teams; annual referrals and admissions are detailed in the original advert and will be managed based on clinical need and occupancy (typical bed occupancy 85–90%).

Qualifications

Essential: MB BS or equivalent medical qualification; fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practise; included on the GMC Specialist Register or within six months; approved clinician status or able to achieve within 3 months; approved under S12 or able to achieve within 3 months.

Desirable: MRCPsych or MRCPsych equivalent; additional clinical qualifications; GMC good standing with respect to warnings/conditions; driving licence or reasonable alternatives; and evidence of teaching, research or service evaluation experience.

Clinical skills and experience

Essential: excellent knowledge of General Adult Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry; strong bio-psycho-social approach; excellent English communication skills; ability to manage clinical complexity and uncertainty; evidence-based decision making; ability to meet duties under MHA and MCA; minimum 12 months training in Substance Misuse; inpatient detoxification and management experience; understanding of co-morbid psychiatric illnesses and dual diagnosis.

Desirable: broad range of NHS-relevant subspecialist experience.

Academic and professional development

Essential: ability to teach and train; leadership of multidisciplinary teams; active engagement in CPD, research or service evaluation; ability to appraise evidence and conduct clinical audits.

Desirable: track record of teaching and training design, clinical research or service improvement with demonstrated awards or publications.

Other

Disclosures and Sponsorship: This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks and UK skilled worker sponsorship requirements. UK registration with the GMC and current professional registration are required. Details may be subject to UK government guidance and NHS policies.