Consultant Psychiatrist - CAMHS

Priory; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 162,792 - 198,968; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free on-site parking

Birthday Holiday

Enhanced maternity pay

Contributory pension scheme

Flexible benefits including reduced rates for gym membership

Access to development opportunities

Sponsorship of professional qualifications

Leadership & management development

Job summary

A leading mental healthcare provider in Chelmsford is seeking a Consultant CAMHS Psychiatrist to lead a new Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services ward. The role includes providing clinical oversight, managing patient care planning, and engaging in governance activities. Candidates must have full GMC registration and significant CAMHS experience. The position offers a competitive salary of £180,880/year and supports flexible working options.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in CAMHS inpatient and/or community settings.
• Advanced clinical expertise and sound clinical judgement.
• Thorough understanding of the Mental Health Act (MHA) and Mental Capacity Act (MCA).

Responsibilities

• Lead patient care planning and multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Assess and manage complex cases effectively.
• Provide clinical leadership alongside the Ward Manager.
• Participate actively in governance and quality improvement.
• Engage in academic activities, including teaching and research.

Skills

Resilience

Empathy

Clinical judgment

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Full GMC registration

CAMHS CCT or equivalent CESR

Approved Clinician status

Job description

Overview

Be part of shaping something new – lead our brand-new CAMHS service in Chelmsford. This is a Full time, 37.5 hour role.

Department: Medical and Psychiatry

Location: Priory Hospital Chelmsford

Compensation: £180,880 / year

What you’ll be doing

Be part of shaping something new – lead our brand-new CAMHS service in Chelmsford. This is a Full time, 37.5 hour role. We’re offering an exciting opportunity to lead and shape a new Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) ward at Priory Hospital Chelmsford. This is a rare chance to build a new service line with the backing of the UK’s leading independent mental healthcare provider.

We already deliver high-quality CAMHS services at several other Priory sites – now we’re expanding in Chelmsford, and we need an experienced Consultant CAMHS Psychiatrist to help us launch and lead this new inpatient ward from the ground up. We are open to discussing flexibility with candidates, including the option to work from home one day a week.

Priory Hospital Chelmsford is a long-established private hospital set in three acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. With 56 beds across our existing acute and addiction pathways, this expansion introduces a new CAMHS ward, offering inpatient care for young people aged 13–18.

As Consultant CAMHS Psychiatrist, you will take a central leadership role in developing and delivering this new service. You will provide expert clinical oversight to a dedicated multidisciplinary team, helping to shape a positive, recovery-focused culture for young people and their families.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Consultant and Responsible Clinician, leading patient care planning and multidisciplinary collaboration across inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Assess and manage complex cases, chair MDT/CPA meetings, and liaise with patients, families, and external stakeholders.
• Provide clinical leadership alongside the Ward Manager, ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational standards.
• Contribute to governance and quality improvement through active participation in ward, CAMHS, and service development meetings.
• Engage in academic activities including teaching, case presentations, audit, research, and ongoing professional development.

You can find additional information in the attached job description.

What you’ll bring to the role

Our work is rewarding but can be challenging, so resilience is key. No two days are the same! Your natural empathy will help you support others through both the highs and lows.

The successful candidate will hold full GMC registration with inclusion on the Specialist Register, along with CAMHS CCT or equivalent CESR, and Approved Clinician status. They will bring significant experience working within CAMHS inpatient and/or community settings, demonstrating advanced clinical expertise and sound clinical judgement. As a compassionate and collaborative leader, they will possess excellent teamworking and communication skills, alongside a thorough understanding of the Mental Health Act (MHA) and Mental Capacity Act (MCA), ensuring safe, effective, and legally compliant practice.

For more information about the role, you can [e-mail]

What we will give you in return

We want you to succeed at Priory and thrive in your role. You will be well supported with regular career conversations. We also offer full training and numerous pathways into leadership and qualified clinical positions to help you shape your career with us.

• Free on-site parking
• Birthday Holiday - Your Birthday as an extra days annual leave
• Enhanced maternity pay
• Contributory pension scheme
• Flexible benefits including reduced rates and access to new schemes including gym membership, IT technology (laptops / tablets / smartphones) and Healthcare Cash Plan (Simply Health Scheme)
• Access to development opportunities
• Sponsorship of professional qualifications through our Individual Professional Development (IPD) panel
• Leadership & management development
• Long service award
• Refer a friend bonuses

Shortlisting may begin upon receipt of applications, and the Recruiting Manager may close the vacancy early if enough suitable candidates are identified.