Consultant Psychiatrist – Adult Inpatients (Dee Ward) with certificate of sponsorship to the UK
Visa Note for International Applicants
While this position offers a certificate of sponsorship for skilled workers, international applicants must verify their eligibility with the employer. The UK visa process can be complex, and requirements may change. Contact the employer directly to discuss your specific circumstances and ensure you meet all criteria before applying.
Job Overview
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Consultant Psychiatrist to work as part of the inpatient team at Clock View Hospital, Liverpool. This is a newly created position resulting from the reconfiguration of the medical model at Clock View Hospital. The post will be one of four general adult inpatient Consultants at the hospital. The successful candidate will be responsible for 17 patients on Dee ward, which is a female acute ward.
About Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 1.4 million people across our region. We are also commissioned for services that cover the North West, North Wales and the Midlands. We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health, and we are one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities.
Our Commitment to Perfect Care
At the heart of all we do is our commitment to ‘perfect care’ – care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together. We’re currently delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so.
About Clock View Hospital
Clock View Hospital is a purpose-built adult mental health facility based in Walton, Liverpool, which opened in 2015. The hospital houses three acute adult wards: Alt (mixed ward), Dee (female), and Morris (male). Clock View also houses Newton ward, which is a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), and an old age ward called Irwell.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will have responsibility for 17 patients on Dee ward and will be expected to carry out comprehensive psychiatric assessments and provide treatment for inpatients. You will support staff to manage psychiatric emergencies and conduct patient reviews, leading multidisciplinary ward reviews, CPA reviews, and multi-professional meetings.
Mental Health Act Responsibilities
You will serve as the responsible clinician for the purposes of the Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007) and carry out duties in accordance with the code of practice. This includes providing verbal and written evidence to Mental Health Review Tribunals and Hospital Manager’s hearings.
Risk Assessment and Management
The post holder will be required to carry out comprehensive Risk Assessments and participate in the Trust’s risk management processes, such as Health Risk Assessment and Management and Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangement Meetings.
Leadership and Communication
You will provide medical leadership to the inpatient team, liaise with carers and stakeholders, and maintain effective communication with other services including inpatient and community mental health teams, and primary care.
Professional Development
The post holder will be expected to provide clinical/educational supervision to junior colleagues and participate in undergraduate and postgraduate clinical teaching. You may also be required to participate in the training of other disciplines and provide educational supervision of trainees.
Essential Qualifications
To be considered for this position, you must hold a medical qualification such as MB BS or equivalent. You must be fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practise at the time of appointment and be included on the GMC Specialist Register (or be able to achieve this within six months).
Essential Experience
Essential experience includes being able to deliver undergraduate or postgraduate teaching and training, the ability to work and lead a team, and demonstrating commitment to shared leadership and collaborative working to deliver improvement. You must have participated in research or service evaluation and be able to use and appraise clinical evidence.
Desirable Qualifications
While not essential, desirable qualifications include a higher degree in medical education, clinical research or management, MRCPsych, and additional clinical qualifications. Being in good standing with the GMC with respect to warnings and conditions on practice is also desirable.
Transport Requirements
Holders of this position must hold and use a valid UK driving licence or provide evidence of a proposed alternative transport arrangement to fulfill the duties of the role.
Clinical Skills and Knowledge
Essential clinical skills include excellent knowledge in the specialty, excellent clinical skills using a bio-psycho-social perspective and wide medical knowledge, and the ability to manage clinical complexity and uncertainty. You must also be able to make decisions based on evidence and experience, including the contribution of others.
Additional Requirements
You must be able to meet duties under the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act, and have excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Additionally, you must be able to participate in continuous professional development.
Certificate of Sponsorship
This position offers a certificate of sponsorship for skilled workers. International applicants requiring sponsorship are welcome to apply. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK must present a criminal record certificate from each country where they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
Application Process
To apply for this position, please visit the NHS Jobs website and follow the application process. 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.
Contact Information
For questions about the job, contact Dr Hannah Ruth, Associate Clinical Director, at hannah.ruth@merseycare.nhs.uk or call 07827256422.
Application Deadline
The closing date for applications is 08 March 2026. Early applications are encouraged as the position may be filled before the deadline.
Benefits of Working with Mersey Care
We offer competitive salaries with additional benefits. The post currently attracts a 10% R&R payment (non-contractual) plus 1% on call. We are committed to flexible working and will consider requests for all roles. We also offer professional development opportunities and a supportive working environment.
Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their race, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or age.
Privacy Notice
Please review Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust’s privacy notice for information on how we process your personal data during the recruitment process. The privacy notice is available on our website.
References
Applicants selected for interview will be required to provide references. Please ensure you have professional references available from your current and previous employers.
How to Apply
Apply Instructions: Submit your application via NHS Jobs website. Include CV and personal statement. International applicants must specify sponsorship requirement. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by panel including service users.
Visa Sponsorship Details
Visa Note: Certificate of sponsorship available for eligible candidates. Must meet UKVI skilled worker visa requirements including English language proficiency and financial maintenance. Employer will sponsor Tier 2 visa where required.
Post-Application Process
Applications undergo initial screening by HR department. Clinical shortlisting involves departmental review. Final interviews include clinical scenario assessment and presentation. Successful candidates receive employment contract and sponsorship documentation.
Continuous Improvement
We actively seek feedback on our recruitment process. All applicants are encouraged to share their experiences post-interview to help us improve. Feedback forms are provided to all candidates after interview completion.
Professional Development Support
New consultants receive comprehensive induction including Trust orientation and local hospital familiarisation. We support ongoing professional development through protected teaching time, research leave, and conference attendance opportunities.
Work-Life Balance
Mersey Care promotes healthy work-life balance through flexible rostering, regular peer supervision groups, and access to employee wellbeing services. Consultants typically work 10-12 on-call sessions per month with enhanced pay rates.
Technology and Infrastructure
Clock View Hospital features modern consulting rooms, digital ward systems, and comprehensive IT infrastructure. We use electronic patient records (EPIC) and provide all necessary equipment for clinical practice and research activities.
Research Opportunities
The Trust has active research partnerships with universities and research institutes. Consultants may participate in clinical trials, service evaluations, and academic publications. Dedicated research support is available for all staff.
Multidisciplinary Team Integration
Consultants work collaboratively with nursing teams, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, and pharmacists. Weekly multidisciplinary team meetings ensure comprehensive patient care planning and service development.
Community Engagement
We encourage consultants to engage with local community groups and mental health charities to support service user involvement and reduce stigma. Annual community health fairs and educational outreach programs are part of our service commitment.
Career Progression
Mersey Care offers clear career pathways including opportunities for clinical leadership roles, academic appointments, and special interest development. Regular appraisal and personal development planning support career advancement.
Emergency Preparedness
Trust maintains robust emergency response protocols for critical incidents. Consultants participate in regular simulation training to maintain crisis management skills and ensure patient safety during high-risk situations.
Quality Assurance
Clinical practice is supported through clinical governance frameworks, audit programs, and incident learning systems. Consultants contribute to quality improvement projects and service reconfiguration initiatives.
Final Application Reminder
Please ensure your application demonstrates how you meet all essential criteria. Include evidence of clinical skills, leadership experience, and commitment to collaborative working. Late applications cannot be considered.
Apply Instructions
Apply Instructions: Submit your application via NHS Jobs website. Include CV and personal statement. International applicants must specify sponsorship requirement. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by panel including service users.