Specialty Doctor in Adult Mental Health – Community with certificate of sponsorship to the UK
Visa Note
While this employer offers a certificate of sponsorship for eligible candidates, applicants must verify their UK work visa eligibility directly with the employer prior to applying. Immigration requirements can change, and final approval is subject to the employer’s assessment and UK Visas and Immigration regulations.
Job Details
Company: Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
Location: Chester-le-street Health Centre, Newcastle Road, Chester Le Street, County Durham, DH3 3UR
Salary: £61,542 to £99,216 a year
Schedule: Full-time, Flexible working (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm with flexibility to see patients from 8am-6pm)
Employment Type: Fixed term (12 months)
Language: English
Education: CPD & Appraisal
Experience: Teaching & Training
Essential Qualification: Participated in continuous professional development
Desirable Qualification: Not specified
Essential Experience: Able to deliver undergraduate or postgraduate teaching and training
Contact Person: Rosie Wheadon (Medical Recruitment Advisor)
Email: tewv.medicalrecruitment@nhs.net
Phone: Not provided
Application Deadline: 21 May 2026
Reference Number: C9346-AMH-326M2
About the Role
This is a replacement 10 PA post for a specialty doctor working in the North Durham Mental Health Team. The North Durham Community Mental Health Team serves adults aged 18 and above who present with mental illness. The team is integrated with Durham County Council and provides statutory Care Act assessments alongside mental health assessments. Patients with organic illness are managed by the Service for Older People.
Main Duties
Clinical duties include conducting comprehensive assessments and risk assessments. The post holder must respect the rights and dignity of patients, considering individual and cultural needs while working with families and carers in the patient’s best interest. You’ll conduct medication reviews, follow-ups, and annual reviews for psychotropic medications, adhering to evidence-based prescribing and monitoring of pharmacological treatment.
Working Arrangements
The service operates Monday to Friday between 9am-5pm with flexible working to see patients from 8am-6pm. The team is currently spread between two bases: Chester Le Street Health Centre and Derwent clinic in Consett, with plans to find a suitable base for all team members within the covered areas. Patients are seen both at base and in the local community. The team covers North Durham Area, Chester Le Street, Stanley and Consett, with excellent working relationships with primary care and close collaboration with the local community/voluntary sector.
Professional Requirements
The post holder must be approved under S12 of the Mental Health Act or able to achieve this within 6 months of appointment. Once section 12 approved, there’s an expectation to contribute to Mental Health Act assessments. You’ll participate fully in huddle, DDM and MDT meetings, contribute to formulation meetings, and be involved in clinical leadership. The role also includes contributing to service improvement and audit, and complying with Trust policies and procedures.
Person Specification
Teaching & Training
Essential: Able to deliver undergraduate or postgraduate teaching and training.
Desirable: Evidence of achievement in education, research, audit and service improvement: awards, prizes, presentations and publications.
CPD & Appraisal
Essential: Participated in continuous professional development and evidence of annual appraisal and commitment to appraisal and revalidation.
Qualifications
Essential: MB BS or equivalent medical qualification; fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practise at the time of appointment; at least 4 years postgraduate experience including at least 2 years in a core psychiatry training programme in UK or abroad; approved under S12 of MHA OR able to achieve within 6 months of appointment.
Desirable: MRCPsych or equivalent postgraduate qualification.
Clinical Knowledge & Skills
Essential: Good knowledge of psychiatry and excellent clinical skills using bio-psycho-social perspective and wide medical knowledge.
Desirable: Able to manage clinical complexity and uncertainty.
Research, Audit & Quality Improvement
Essential: Has actively participated in clinical audit.
Desirable: Shows commitment to quality through knowledge of quality improvement and lean thinking methodology; participated in research and/or service improvement.
Visa Information
Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust welcomes applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK. Applications will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information on UK visa requirements, please visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
Certificate of Sponsorship Details
The employer offers a Certificate of Sponsorship for eligible candidates. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK must present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.
How to Apply
Apply Instructions: Apply via NHS Jobs website. Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.
Application Checklist for International Applicants
1. Verify your eligibility for a UK Skilled Worker visa with the employer before applying
2. Prepare your GMC registration details and proof of licence to practise
3. Gather documentation of your medical qualifications and postgraduate experience
4. Collect evidence of S12 approval or confirmation that you can achieve this within 6 months
5. Prepare criminal record certificates from any country where you’ve resided for 12+ months in the past 10 years
6. Ensure you have evidence of continuous professional development and annual appraisals
7. Prepare documentation of your teaching and training experience
8. Contact Rosie Wheadon at tewv.medicalrecruitment@nhs.net with any questions about the application process
About the Employer
Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest specialist mental health and learning disabilities trusts in the country, with an annual income of £320m and a workforce of approximately 6,700 staff operating from around 100 sites in Durham, Teesside, North Yorkshire and York and Selby. We provide a range of inpatient and community services to 2 million people living in County Durham, the Tees Valley, Scarborough, Whitby, Ryedale, Harrogate, Hambleton and Richmondshire, with additional specialist services to other parts of Northern England.
Recognition and Awards
We are a multi-award winning trust and are included within the Health Service Journal’s Best 100 Places to Work. The Trust takes a positive and proactive approach to supporting staff in their personal development and has embedded the Talent Management approach within the organisation. Psychiatrists are essential contributors to the majority of our mental health teams, and service users expect and are justified in expecting collaborative relationships with dedicated psychiatrists who work consistently as part of effective services.
Medical Workforce Development
The Medical Directorate and Medical Development Team are striving to improve medical workforce recruitment and retention through various initiatives, with the cornerstone being The TEWV Charter for the Medical Workforce. This demonstrates our commitment to supporting medical professionals throughout their careers with us, providing opportunities for development, leadership, and professional growth.
Professional Development and Support
Continuous Learning
We are committed to supporting your professional development throughout your employment with us. The Trust has embedded a Talent Management approach that provides structured support for career progression, including access to training programs, leadership development, and opportunities to enhance your clinical skills. Regular appraisals and revalidation processes are in place to ensure your continued professional development.
Teaching Opportunities
As a teaching hospital trust, we provide excellent opportunities for medical professionals to engage in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and training. This role specifically requires the ability to deliver teaching, and we provide supportive environments for developing these skills. The Trust values educational contributions and recognizes achievements in education, research, audit, and service improvement.
Working Environment and Benefits
Collaborative Practice
You’ll join a multidisciplinary team that works collaboratively with Durham County Council, providing integrated statutory Care Act assessments alongside mental health assessments. The team has excellent working relationships with primary care and works closely with the local community and voluntary sector. This collaborative approach ensures comprehensive care for patients and a supportive professional environment.
Flexible Working
We understand the importance of work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements. The service operates Monday to Friday between 9am-5pm with flexibility to see patients from 8am-6pm. This flexibility allows you to manage your professional commitments alongside personal responsibilities, contributing to job satisfaction and well-being.
Additional Information
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, requiring a submission to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information on UK registration requirements, please see the NHS Careers website for overseas health professionals.
Privacy Notice
Please refer to Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust’s privacy notice for information on how your personal data will be processed and protected during the application and employment process. We are committed to maintaining the confidentiality of all applicant information and complying with data protection regulations.