Locum Consultant (Beech Ward)

NHS; Radlett; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health service provider in Radlett is seeking a Locum Consultant Psychiatrist in Forensic Psychiatry. The role involves managing clinical responsibilities, supervising junior staff, and participating in service planning. Candidates must be GMC registered with a relevant higher qualification. This position offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment with a strong focus on patient care and professional development.

Qualifications

• Experience of the full range of clinical responsibilities expected of a consultant in forensic psychiatry.
• Fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practise at the time of appointment.
• CCT in Psychiatry or inclusion on GMC Specialist Register.

Responsibilities

• Manage and supervise junior medical staff as per Trust policies.
• Undertake administrative duties associated with patient care.
• Participate in service and business planning activities.

Skills

Clinical responsibilities in forensic psychiatry

Excellent communication skills

Collaborative working with social care

Clinical decision-making

Education

MB BS or equivalent medical qualification

MRCPsych or equivalent

Relevant higher degree (MD, PhD, MSc)

Job description

Locum Consultant (Beech Ward)

The closing date is 15 February 2026

We are seeking a Locum Consultant Psychiatrist in Forensic Psychiatry.

Beech Ward (This post)

Beech Ward is a 15-bed low secure service for men with mental illnesses and personality disorders who are at significant risk of doing harm to others. The service offers specialist psychological, psychiatric and behavioural therapies and complex specialist rehabilitation, to people detained under the Mental Health Act, to allow people to return to life in society.

Hertfordshire Community Forensic Team (This post)

The Hertfordshire CFT is a multi-professional hybrid community forensic service that supports people with mental disorders, living in Hertfordshire, who are at risk of, or who have committed, a serious offence, to stay well and safe in the community. This includes offering specialist advice and assessment to manage risk, working alongside community teams and other providers to provide periods of increased support at times of crisis, and supports people who have been treated in secure hospital care to move into the community.

Main duties of the job

• To manage, appraise and give professional supervision to junior medical staff as agreed by consultant colleagues and the medical director and in accordance with the Trust's personnel policies and procedures. This may include assessing competences under the Modernising Medical Careers framework.
• To ensure that junior medical staff working with the postholder operate within the parameters of the New Deal and are Working Time Directive compliant.
• To undertake the administrative duties associated with the care of patients.
• To record clinical activity accurately and comprehensively and submit this promptly to the Information Department.
• To participate in service and business planning activity for the locality and, as appropriate, for the whole mental health service.
• To participate in annual appraisal for consultants.

About us

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an exceptional organisation with big ambitions, our aim it to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disabilities within the UK.

With a workforce of over 4,300 people and an annual income of some £330 million this year, the Trust provides integrated health and social care services through a network of community and inpatient settings, serving diverse communities across Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire and Norfolk. As a University NHS Foundation Trust, HPFT continues to develop strong links with the University of Hertfordshire, providing excellent learning and development opportunities, as well as strengthening our clinical research capability.

Whilst it is a challenging period of the NHS, there has never been a more exciting time to join HPFT following our CQC rating of Outstanding award in 2019. We are currently undertaking our "Great Together" strategy for 2023 to 2028. This strategy has been meticulously developed and co‑produced in collaboration with our service users, carers, staff, partners, and local communities. It gives us a well‑defined roadmap to realise our vision of providing exceptional care and achieving outstanding outcomes. We are dedicated to addressing inequalities and equity, developing our workforce, and fostering a dynamic learning environment, all while engaging in robust partnerships to deliver the highest quality care.

Job responsibilities

• To attend and participate in the academic programme of the Trust and the team including lectures and seminars as part of the internal CPD programme.
• To maintain professional registration with the General Medical Council, Mental Health Act Section 12(2) approval, and to abide by professional codes of conduct.
• To participate annually in a job plan review with the clinical manager, which will include consultation with a relevant manager in order to ensure that the post is developed to take into account changes in service configuration and delivery associated with modernisation. To work with local managers and professional colleagues in ensuring the efficient running of services and share with consultant colleagues in the medical contribution to management.
• To comply with the Trust's agreed policies, procedures, standing orders and financial instructions, and to take an active role in the financial management of the service and support the medical director and other managers in preparing plans for services.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• MB BS or equivalent medical qualification.
• MRCPsych OR MRCPsych equivalent approved by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
• Qualification or higher degree in medical education, clinical research or management.
• Relevant higher degree, e.g. MD, PhD, MSc or other additional clinical qualifications.

Eligibility

• Fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practise at the time of appointment.
• CCT in Psychiatry; OR Inclusion on the GMC Specialist Register in psychiatry; OR within six months of achieving CCT/CESR at the time of interview.
• In good standing with GMC with respect to warning and conditions on practice.
• Section 12/Approved clinician approval.

Clinical skills, knowledge & experience

• Experience of the full range of clinical responsibilities expected of a consultant in forensic psychiatry.
• Experience of close collaborative working with social care and other agencies.Experience of working with users who have complex needs within forensic psychiatry.
• Excellent clinical skills using bio-psycho-social perspective and wide medical knowledge.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Able to manage clinical complexity and uncertainty.
• Makes decisions based on evidence and experience including the contribution of others.
• Wide range of specialist and sub-specialist experience relevant to post within NHS or comparable service.Excellent degree of medical knowledge in relation to forensic psychiatry.

Academic skills and lifelong learning

• 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.
• Holds a full valid driving license and access to a car (Unless you have a disability as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995).
• 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.
• Experience of organising and overseeing psychotherapy training programme for psychiatry trainees.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.