UCAT South Consultant

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

Job summary

A regional healthcare organization in Northampton is seeking a Consultant Psychiatrist for its Urgent Care Assessment Team. This role involves assessing and treating mental health issues, with a focus on community-based intervention to reduce hospital admissions. Candidates must possess MRCPsych and significant psychiatric experience. The position offers a salary of £109,725 to £145,478 plus a welcome bonus.

Benefits

Welcome bonus of £40,000

NHS employee benefits

Training and CPD opportunities

Qualifications

• Active membership of GMC with no conditions on practice.
• On Specialist Register/CCT in General Adult Psychiatry.
• Approval under Section 12 of the Mental Health Act.

Responsibilities

• Offer assessment services for Northamptonshire residents.
• Provide intensive community-based treatment.
• Facilitate early discharge from hospital.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Ability to work under pressure

Understanding of secure psychiatric care

Ability to motivate and develop junior staff

Education

MRCPsych or equivalent

Full GMC Registration

Minimum of six years postgraduate experience

Job description

Overview

North Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Consultant Psychiatrist to join the Urgent Care Assessment Team (UCAT) for the South of the county, based in Northampton. The Trust offers a £40,000 welcome bonus to the successful candidate, paid over the first two years in post. For benefits and joining the Trust, please refer to the Candidate Pack.

Details

Date posted: 03 September 2025

Grade: Consultant

Salary: £109,725 to £145,478 per year

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Location: Campbell House, Northampton, NN1 3EB

Job reference: 270-MED412

Job responsibilities

• Offer an assessment service for Northamptonshire residents who, prior to UCAT involvement, have been assessed as requiring admission to hospital
• Provide intensive community-based treatment in the acute phase of mental illness to reduce hospital admission needs
• Facilitate early discharge from hospital where necessary
• Ensure appropriate follow-up care after the acute phase
• Be fully integrated into the Northamptonshire mental health system and the community
• 24 hour seven days a week service; UCAT will undertake mental health assessments following referrals from recognised sources and will respond to the needs of the home treatment caseload
• Act as gatekeeper to acute inpatient care
• Provide rapid response following referral to UCAT with intensive, flexible interventions for service users, families and carers
• Address social issues surrounding crisis from the outset
• Engage with an assertive approach
• Provide practical problem solving support
• Administer and supervise medication as required
• Deliver time-limited intervention with flexibility to respond to varying service user needs
• Learn from crises and ensure care is linked to continuing care

About us

We aim to be an employer of choice, a great place to work, and to foster a diverse and inclusive culture where staff feel valued. We provide NHS services including physical, mental health and specialty services in hospital settings and in the community (schools, GP clinics and patients’ homes).

Person specification

Knowledge and Experience – Essential

• MRCPsych or equivalent
• Full GMC Registration
• On Specialist Register/CCT in General Adult Psychiatry or eligible for inclusion within six months
• Approval under Section 12 of the Mental Health Act and able to act as Responsible Clinician
• Minimum of six years postgraduate experience (including three years as Specialty Registrar in an approved training post) or equivalent
• Part of this period may be in a post of equivalent responsibility and training

Desirable

• Additional postgraduate qualifications/endorsement in Rehab Psychiatry
• Publication of original research
• Management training

Behaviours and Values

• In good standing with GMC with respect to warnings and conditions on practice
• Commitment to shared leadership and collaborative working to deliver improvement
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a MDT
• Ability to form good working relationships with the peer group
• Willingness to undertake training and CPD in areas appropriate to this post
• Ability to work under pressure
• Willingness to participate in in-house training

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to communicate with patients, colleagues and staff at all levels
• Ability to present complex information to a variety of audiences including courts and tribunals
• Ability to motivate and develop junior medical staff and other MDT members
• Balance individual requirements against those of the Directorate and Trust
• Understanding of the political and financial framework within which services operate
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a MDT
• Understanding of security in the treatment of psychiatric patients
• Understanding of the dynamics of working with damaged and disturbed patients
• Awareness of the national agenda for secure psychiatric care and criminal justice

Other requirements

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a DBS disclosure.

Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers requiring current Skilled Worker sponsorship will be considered alongside other applications. For information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. Guidance on overseas criminal records checks is available in the attached documents.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer details

Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Campbell House, Northampton, NN1 3EB

Employer website: www.nhft.nhs.uk