Consultant Psychiatrist & Medical Director

Consultant Psychiatrist & Medical Director

We are seeking an experienced full‑time Consultant Psychiatrist and Medical Director who will work at Cygnet Hospital Kidsgrove and provide senior medical cover on Burleigh Ward, our 11 bed highly specialised service providing assessment, treatment and rehabilitation for women with personality disorder and complex needs.

The post holder will be the Responsible Clinician and will oversee and maintain the care of all ward inpatients as required and will also have responsibility for auditing the medical services rendered at the ward and ensuring their good quality in accordance to GMC standards of good medical practice and other relevant professional guidelines.

The post holder will also be the Medical Director at Cygnet Hospital Kidsgrove, our 31 bed new hospital for women in Staffordshire.

In this role, your expertise will be the driving force for life‑changing treatment fully supported by a Specialty Doctor and first‑class multidisciplinary team including qualified nurses, psychologist and occupational therapist.

Main duties of the job

Cygnet Hospital Kidsgrove is our new hospital for women in Staffordshire. There are two wards at the hospital; a 20 bed Acute service for women and an 11 bed Highly Specialised Personality Disorder Rehabilitation service.

Crocus Ward provides a safe and stabilising environment for women who are experiencing an acute episode of mental illness and require an emergency admission. Burleigh Ward provides specialised support for women with a personality disorder and other complex needs.

The post holder will be the Responsible Clinician and have overall medical responsibility of patient treatment, whilst liaising closely with the Multi‑Disciplinary Team (Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Registered Mental Health Nurses, Social Workers etc.).

The post holder will be expected to act as a positive role model, maintaining and demonstrating a positive attitude towards patients, their families, visitors and other staff.

About us

Cygnet have been providing a national network of high‑quality specialist mental health services for more than 30 years. We have built a reputation for delivering pioneering services and outstanding outcomes. Our expert care enables thousands of individuals to consistently make a positive difference to their lives.

We maintain a good relationship with our quality regulators and undergo regular inspections, with 85% of our services rated Good or Outstanding. We also operate an internal system of quality care, treatment and positive outcomes.

Job responsibilities

Helping others improve and turn their lives around; there’s no better feeling. It’s what we do for thousands of people at more than 150 sites across the UK. Be a part of it.

Job Title: Consultant Psychiatrist & Medical Director

Service Line: Female Personality Disorders

Professionally Accountable to: Regional Medical Director

Managerially Responsible to: Hospital Manager

The post holder will be the Responsible Clinician and will oversee and maintain the care of all ward inpatients as required and will also have responsibility for auditing the medical services rendered at the ward and ensuring their good quality in accordance to GMC standards of good medical practice and other relevant professional guidelines.

This is a full‑time position with 0.2 WTE as Medical Director and 0.8 WTE as Consultant Psychiatrist.

In this role, your expertise will be the driving force for life‑changing treatment fully supported by a Specialty Doctor and first‑class multidisciplinary team including qualified nurses, psychologist and occupational therapist.

As a Consultant Psychiatrist you will

• Lead on the provision of high quality care to the service users admitted to Burleigh Ward.
• Act as a positive role model, maintaining and demonstrating a positive attitude towards patients, their families, visitors and other staff.
• Take overall responsibility for patient treatment plans in conjunction with the multidisciplinary team.
• Assess referrals & undertake mental state examinations of service users.
• Undertake appropriate investigations, diagnosis & treatment.
• Conduct ward rounds, patient reviews & clinical audits.
• Lead the implementation of risk assessment, risk management & embed clinical governance within the service.
• Supervise reports for Mental Health Act tribunals & managers hearings & attend hearings.
• Liaise with the Ministry of Justice for transfer of patients and approval of leave as required.
• Maintain good patient records.
• Ensure and maintain regular communications with the Site Medical Director and Hospital Manager.
• Communicate effectively through regular contact with patients, relatives, staff, directors and other concerned bodies; maintaining appropriate reports.
• Attend and contribute to academic meetings and adhere to the professional standards for CPD as set out by the GMC, the Department of Health and the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
• Contribute to the Second On‑call rota in line with the needs of the region.

As a Medical Director you will

• Ensure optimal clinical outcomes for the people in our care.
• Lead on all aspects of clinical practice & serve as an example of operational excellence.
• Provide leadership for medical staff on both professional and managerial issues whilst monitoring their performance.
• Supervise all consultants and ensure consultants are supervising SDs and ASs.
• Provide expert knowledge & support within the service & to the wider team.
• Ensure quality & compliance with internal & external standards & regulations.
• Work with colleagues to provide integrated, whole‑person treatment & care.
• Ensure regular communication and meetings with medical staff.
• Assist in recruitment and retention of medical staff to provide a high quality clinical service.
• Ensure that medical staff are involved in hospital clinical governance.
• Work in conjunction with hospital managers to lead on the successful implementation of CQC outcomes for 4, 7 and 9.
• Chair medical advisory committee meetings and attend Cygnet Medical Directors meetings.
• Liaise with responsible officer and Regional Medical Director in respect of concerns about fitness to practice issues for medical staff.

Benefits

• Salary up to £175,000 per year.
• Generous annual leave entitlement that increases with length of service.
• 5 days study leave, study budget and in‑house CPD/ peer group programme.
• Company paid Life Assurance scheme covering 3× salary.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Research opportunities to include publishing in The Cygnet Journal and joining the Cygnet Research & Development Group.
• Teaching opportunities including teaching medical students, teaching on the Cygnet CESR programme and Cygnet MRCPsych programme.
• Opportunity to lead and participate in QI & Audit initiatives.
• Company funded cash plan with the ability to claim up to £1,000 per annum worth of benefits including free physiotherapy, osteopaths, optical, dental, consultations, scans and free prescriptions.
• Gym discounts across the UK as well as free online fitness classes with ClassPass, nutritional programmes and fitness consultations.
• Discount schemes including Perkbox, NHS discount and Blue Lights card.
• Free meals, on‑site parking and EAP support.
• Smart Health Toolkit, including 24‑hour GP service with the option of prescription delivery to your local pharmacy.
• Electric car scheme.

Qualifications and Experience

• Fully GMC registered & MBBS (or equivalent) qualified.
• Registered on the specialist register (CCT/CESR), Section 12 and AC status.
• Experienced & knowledgeable in General Adult Psychiatry and mental health diagnosis.
• Knowledgeable of the Mental Health Act and Code of Practice, along with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Code of Capacity.
• A first‑rate communicator who can interview, assess & treat patients & write clear, comprehensive medical notes.
• Committed to continued professional development.
• Able to work as part of a multi‑disciplinary team.
• A member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych) or equivalent.

Requirements

The successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS and reference check and an offer of employment will be subject to successful clearance.

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.