Consultant in Adult Psychiatry – Dunstable CMHT with certificate of sponsorship to the UK
Visa Note
This vacancy offers a Certificate of Sponsorship for eligible international candidates. However, applicants must verify their visa eligibility directly with the employer before applying. Immigration requirements can change, and confirmation of sponsorship is subject to meeting all necessary criteria.
Job Summary
East London NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Consultant in Adult Psychiatry to join the Dunstable Community Mental Health Team. This is a unique opportunity to lead a transformed mental health service focused on prompt assessment and intervention at the point of need. The role involves providing clinical leadership to a community team serving adults with acute and severe mental illness.
Key Responsibilities
The post-holder will lead the Dunstable team and weekly MDT meetings, conducting assessments, diagnoses, and treatment planning with a focus on recovery-oriented care. You’ll offer clinical guidance to GPs and collaborate with crisis, inpatient, and specialist teams to ensure continuity of care. The role includes fulfilling responsibilities under the Mental Health Act as an Approved Clinician and Section 12-approved psychiatrist.
Service Transformation
Dunstable CMHT has undergone significant transformation to provide more focused care for those with enduring mental health problems. The service operates with three key structures: front-end blended teams with triage function, managing recovery-focused care for individuals on CPA, and an ADHD case load. Community mental healthcare is increasingly provided closer to home within primary care networks.
Qualifications
Essential qualifications include full GMC registration, eligibility for inclusion in the GMC Specialist Register, membership or Fellowship of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and eligibility for Section 12 Approval under the Mental Health Act. Desirable qualifications include a higher degree such as MD or PhD.
Experience Requirements
Candidates must have experience of clinical work in Adult Psychiatry at SpR, SASG or consultant level within the last 3 years. Essential experience includes excellent working knowledge of the Mental Health Act, understanding of ethnic minority issues, and robust experience working with severe mental illness and risk assessment. Desirable experience includes service development and community-based consultant work.
Organisational Skills
The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership skills and the ability to work within a multidisciplinary team. You’ll need to manage complex workloads, provide consultation services, and maintain a commitment to clinical governance. Formal leadership training and experience of team/service leadership are desirable attributes.
Clinical Expertise
Expertise in risk assessment and the ability to work confidently in therapeutic risk-taking environments is essential. The role requires self-motivation and innovation, with a commitment to working with service users on service development. Experience in supervising trainee doctors and SAS doctors is desirable.
Teaching and Research
The post-holder will have experience in teaching junior staff and good teaching/communication skills. Experience in teaching medical undergraduates, postgraduates, and non-medical mental health professionals is essential. Candidates should have experience in research work or the ability to interpret research findings, with audit experience being essential.
Additional Requirements
A UK driving license is essential, while car ownership is desirable. The post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, requiring a submission to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for previous criminal convictions.
Job Details
Company: East London NHS Foundation Trust
Location: Dunstable CMHT, 5 Regent Street, Dunstable, LU6 1LP
Salary: £109,725 to £145,478 per annum
Schedule: Full-time
Employment Type: Permanent
Reference Number: 363-MRLB7300951-B
How to Apply
To apply for this position, visit the NHS Jobs website and submit your application. International applicants should verify their visa eligibility with the employer before applying. Required documents typically include proof of GMC registration, evidence of Section 12 approval, and criminal record certificates from any countries where you have resided for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
Certificate of Sponsorship
The employer is willing to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship to eligible international candidates. However, sponsorship is subject to meeting all necessary visa requirements. Applicants from overseas will need to present criminal record certificates from countries where they have resided for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
Professional Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For overseas health professionals, further information is available through the NHS Careers website. The employer will consider applications from international candidates alongside all other applications.
About East London NHS Foundation Trust
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people’s lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive. We’re looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users, carers, and colleagues in the Trust and partner organisations.
Interview Process
The closing date for applications is 29 April 2026, with interviews (AAC panel) to be confirmed. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview where they will have the opportunity to discuss their experience and demonstrate their suitability for this important clinical leadership role.
Support and Development
East London NHS Foundation Trust is committed to supporting the professional development of its staff. The successful applicant will receive appropriate supervision, training opportunities, and support to develop their career within mental health services.
Contact Information
For questions about the job, contact:
Baljit Upadhyay (Deputy Clinical Director)
Email: baljit.upadhyay@nhs.net
Phone: 07411966834
Employer Website
For more information about East London NHS Foundation Trust, visit: https://www.elft.nhs.uk/
Privacy Notice
East London NHS Foundation Trust’s privacy notice can be viewed here: https://www.elft.nhs.uk/About-Us/Privacy-and-Your-Data