Specialty Doctor in Forensic Psychiatry

NHS; Retford; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK seeks a Specialty Doctor in Forensic Psychiatry to join their team. This role involves providing comprehensive psychiatric and physical health care to in-patients under Consultant supervision, collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams, and supporting the mental health needs of diverse populations. Applicants must have full registration with the General Medical Council and ideally possess at least 3 years of experience in a similar role. The trust emphasizes professional development and offers a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Relocation expenses may be payable

Support for training and supervision

Opportunities for research and audit participation

Qualifications

• Full registration with the General Medical Council is required.
• At least 3 years of experience in a relevant medical position.
• Experience in Forensic Psychiatry is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychiatric and medical care to inpatients under Consultant supervision.
• Review psychiatric care regularly and attend ward rounds.
• Provide day-to-day medical care for patients.

Skills

Time management

Team player

Excellent written and oral communication

Experience in writing legal reports

Education

Full registration with the GMC

3 Years in SHO/CT3/Specialty Doctor or equivalent

Job description

Specialty Doctor in Forensic Psychiatry

The closing date is 21 December 2025

We are inviting applications, having 4 full-time Specialty Doctor posts in Forensic Psychiatry available for recruitment.

Full registration with the General Medical Council is a requirement for appointment to the Specialty Doctor grade. Post-holders must have held a hospital appointment in the Senior House Officer / Core Trainee / Specialty Doctor (or equivalent) grade, including at least two years' experience in psychiatry.

Any Specialty Doctor who is unable for personal reasons to work full-time will be eligible to be considered for the post. If such a person is appointed, modification to the job content will be discussed on a personal basis with the Trust in consultation with colleagues.

There is a resident on call rotation between the Specialty Doctor posts in the Hospital.

The Specialty Doctor providesboth psychiatric and physical health care to in-patients under the supervision of a Consultant Psychiatrist. One Consultant Psychiatrist acts as a 'supervisor' for the Specialty Doctor, meeting on a regular basis for feedback purposes / clinical supervision and mentoring.

The Specialty Doctor will work with Consultant led multi-disciplinary teams.

Main duties of the job

The post-holders will review the patients' psychiatric care at regular intervals, update the medical records and liaise with all members of the multi-disciplinary team. This includes attendance at ward rounds and CPA Reviews in consultation with the patient's Consultant and providing reports as required. In particular the Specialty Doctor will deputise for the Consultant in meetings where appropriate.

The post-holder will provide day to day medical care to patients under his / her care; this will be in collaboration with the Rampton Physical Health Centre.

There will be an opportunity to accompany Consultant medical staff on assessments of patients who have been referred from prisons or other hospitals.

Previous experience in Forensic Services is an advantage, but not essential as you will receive support, training and supervision from Forensic Consultants. There is a weekly Postgraduate Programme with Journal Club, Case Conference and internal or visiting speakers and Specialty Doctors are encouraged to participate. The Forensic Division of the Trust sponsors a Trent Forensic Study Day twice yearly. In addition one session per week is available for study leave. Specialty Doctors are encouraged to be involved in research and audit and are supported in appraisal and revalidation.

Resident on-call duties are included in the appointment; the on-call rota is currently 1 in 16. Colleagues provide cover for each other during annual leave and short unplanned leave.

About us

We have a huge variety of opportunities in our expansive Trust covering geographically from South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire to Leicester, providing mental health inpatient and community services, community health services, forensic mental health services and secure prison healthcare across the East Midlands.

We have more than 100 sites and a huge scope of unique opportunities to develop your career and gain some amazing experiences. We strive to be a great place to work and offer many staff benefits and tailored staff support and wellbeing programmes.

Do you want to make a difference?

Do you believe in Trust, Honesty, Respect, Compassion and Teamwork?

Then Nottinghamshire Healthcare is the perfect place for you to start, maintain or further your career. Join our team of nearly 9000 who are making a difference every day. We are all about our people - our staff, volunteers, carers, service users and patients. We are NottsHC.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @NottsHealthcare

Job responsibilities

• Provides psychiatric and medical care to inpatients under Consultant supervision within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Review psychiatric care regularly, updating records and liaise with MDT. Attending ward rounds and CPAs.
• Provide day to day medical care for patients under their care, confined to urgent matters as the Health Centre deal with chronic and minor conditions.
• Accompany Consultant on assessments of patients referred from prison / other hospitals.
• Deputise from time to time for absent colleagues.

The salary and terms and conditions of appointment are in accordance with Terms and Conditions of Service for Specialty Doctors (2008). Relocation expenses may be payable to the successful candidate. The post carries an on-call commitment and a RRP is payable of 30%.

Qualifications

• Full registration with GMC
• 3 Years SHO/CT3/Specialty Doctor or equivalent (not necessarily in psychiatry)

Experience

• 2 Years Experience in Psychiatry
• Experience in Forensic Psychiatry
• Membership of Royal College of Psychiatrists
• Section 12(2) Approval
• Risk management linked to the provision of mental healthcare
• Publications

Skills

• Ability to manage own time, workload and prioritise clinical work
• Multi-disciplinary Team player
• Ability to appraise own performance
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. In particular it is essential that the post-holder will be able (with support) to write high quality correspondence and reports for Care Programme Approach Meetings, the Ministry of Justice, Hospital Managers and other purposes
• Experience in writing reports for legal purposes

Knowledge

• Experience in use of Care Programme Approach
• Knowledge of recent developments and treatment advances in the care of offenders
• Knowledge of HCR-20, PCL-R and other risk assessment tools
• Knowledge of NHS systems

Aptitude and Personal Qualities

• Interest in welfare of mentally disordered offenders
• Flexible approach to working practice
• Ability to deal effectively with pressure
• Thoroughness and attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively
• Reliability and honesty
• Positive approach to the job planning and appraisal process
• Personable and willing to work in groups
• Enjoy working in a challenging environment
• Evidence of leadership attributes
• Motivational skills
• Commitment to service development

Other

• Fulfil duties of post, including on-call

Teaching

• Ability to participate in CPD Programme and contribute to teaching
• Teaching experience

Research & Audit

• Experience of participation in clinical audit
• Experience of involvement in a research project and publication
• Interest in research
• Published audit project

Management

• Knowledge of the management and structure of the NHS
• Ability to contribute to the Directorate and Organisation's Strategic Direction

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.

Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Depending on experience per annum plus High Secure Allowance £3,000 and 30% RRP