Job summary
Are you an experienced Consultant Psychiatrist passionate about older adult mental health? Join the Dorset Memory Assessment Service (MAS) on a part time basis and provide expert assessment and advice to patients with cognitive disorders. Our vision going forward is to ensure that Dorset residents have timely access to expert services when required for their cognitive and other mental health problems with easy access to services required and good liaison between the service providers.
The memory assessment service role involves diagnosis, staff supervision and improving the service. The service has helped to improve the diagnosis rate in Dorset significantly and is rated very well in the friends and family test. The memory assessment service received its Royal College accreditation in March 2025.
In addition to this consultant post within the memory assessment service, there is a further part-time Consultant Psychiatrist who works solely within the service and the team is also supported by two Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs), three Clinical Psychologists, and three Non-Medical Prescribers.
Dorset Healthcare operates across multiple sites throughout the county. This post will be based in the East/West Dorset area, primarily at Wimborne, Wareham and Dorchester.
For any questions and the opportunity to discuss the role please contact Dr Ranjeev Jaswal - Medical Lead MAS; ranjeev.jaswal@nhs.net
Main duties of the job
We offer a £10,000 recruitment and retention payment, paid in monthly instalments during your first year of employment, plus up to £10,000 in relocation support if you're moving to Dorset. We offer a commitment to flexible working, excellent career development opportunities and the full range of NHS benefits.
As the consultant psychiatrist you will provide senior medical input into the multidisciplinary team. This will include direct assessment of patients, advice support and training to the MAS service, supervision of nurses, participation in clinical governance of the service, and advice and assistance in helping develop and improve MAS services.
You will be encouraged and supported to develop the management and leadership skills needed to actively participate in service developments. You will also have access to a part time secretary to ensure adequate support for maintaining diaries and supporting required correspondence.
About us
At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.
We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.
Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.
Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contactdhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
Job description
Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contactdhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
Person Specification
Qualifications/Training
Essential
- General medical Qualification e.g. MBBS, or equivalent and hold a Licence to Practise.
- MRCPsych or recognised equivalent, e.g. membership of a psychiatry college in another country.
Desirable
- Qualification or higher degree in medical education, clinical research or management.
- Additional clinical qualification
Eligibility
Essential
- Must be in possession or within 6 months of possession of a CCT in Psychiatry or on Specialist Register in Psychiatry.
- Section 12(2) approval and Approved Clinician approval or ability to obtain approval before starting post
- On Specialist Register in enter specialism Psychiatry.
- Shall have full registration and a licence to practice with the GMC. Shall have completed a minimum of 12 years' medical work (either continuous period or in aggregate) since obtaining primary medical qualification of which a minimum of 6 years should have been in a relevant specialty in the Specialty Doctor and/or closed SAS grades. Shall meet the criteria set out in the specialist grade generic capabilities framework.
- OR Shall have full registration and licence to practice with the GMC. Shall have completed at least 4 years full-time post graduated training (or its equivalent). Shall have equivalent experience and competencies.
Desirable
- Experience of medicine outside psychiatry e.g. general practice, medicine.
Clinical Skills, Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Excellent knowledge in specialty
- Evidence of effective multidisciplinary team involvement.
- Excellent clinical skills using bio-psycho-social perspective and wider medical knowledge.
- Able to meet duties under MHA and MCA
- Make decisions based on evidence and experience including contribution of others.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Desirable
- Teaching Experience
- Wide range of specialist and sub-specialist experience relevant to post within the NHS or comparable service.
Dorset HealthCare Values
Essential
- Proactive, respectful, supportive, reliable and trustworthy, and positive
Management Skills
Essential
- Understand the importance of working with managers in the interest of good patient care
- Able to manage priorities
- Evidence of management/Leadership skills training
Desirable
- Previous management experience including that of other junior medical staff
Supervision of Junior medical Staff
Essential
- Knowledge of requirements for supervision and appraisal of junior medical staff.
- Approved educational supervisor training
Self-Awareness
Essential
- To have an understanding of own strengths and weaknesses and how these attributes affect professional functioning.
- To have an understanding of the stresses involved in being a consultant psychiatrist and how to manage these appropriately.
Clinical Governance
Essential
- An understanding of the importance of Clinical Governance in the NHS organisations and importance in patient care.
- Awareness of current issues in mental health service provision, policy and legislation
Leadership Skills
Essential
- Understand principles of leadership and give examples of leadership in own practice.
- Able to provide clinical leadership to a multi-disciplinary team.
Research and Audit
Essential
- Experience of carrying out an audit project
- Experience or involvement in a research project and publication
- Ability to supervisor junior medical staff undertaking research projects
Desirable
- Published audit project
- Ability to critically appraise published research
Person Specification
Qualifications/Training
Essential
- General medical Qualification e.g. MBBS, or equivalent and hold a Licence to Practise.
- MRCPsych or recognised equivalent, e.g. membership of a psychiatry college in another country.
Desirable
- Qualification or higher degree in medical education, clinical research or management.
- Additional clinical qualification
Eligibility
Essential
- Must be in possession or within 6 months of possession of a CCT in Psychiatry or on Specialist Register in Psychiatry.
- Section 12(2) approval and Approved Clinician approval or ability to obtain approval before starting post
- On Specialist Register in enter specialism Psychiatry.
- Shall have full registration and a licence to practice with the GMC. Shall have completed a minimum of 12 years' medical work (either continuous period or in aggregate) since obtaining primary medical qualification of which a minimum of 6 years should have been in a relevant specialty in the Specialty Doctor and/or closed SAS grades. Shall meet the criteria set out in the specialist grade generic capabilities framework.
- OR Shall have full registration and licence to practice with the GMC. Shall have completed at least 4 years full-time post graduated training (or its equivalent). Shall have equivalent experience and competencies.
Desirable
- Experience of medicine outside psychiatry e.g. general practice, medicine.
Clinical Skills, Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Excellent knowledge in specialty
- Evidence of effective multidisciplinary team involvement.
- Excellent clinical skills using bio-psycho-social perspective and wider medical knowledge.
- Able to meet duties under MHA and MCA
- Make decisions based on evidence and experience including contribution of others.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Desirable
- Teaching Experience
- Wide range of specialist and sub-specialist experience relevant to post within the NHS or comparable service.
Dorset HealthCare Values
Essential
- Proactive, respectful, supportive, reliable and trustworthy, and positive
Management Skills
Essential
- Understand the importance of working with managers in the interest of good patient care
- Able to manage priorities
- Evidence of management/Leadership skills training
Desirable
- Previous management experience including that of other junior medical staff
Supervision of Junior medical Staff
Essential
- Knowledge of requirements for supervision and appraisal of junior medical staff.
- Approved educational supervisor training
Self-Awareness
Essential
- To have an understanding of own strengths and weaknesses and how these attributes affect professional functioning.
- To have an understanding of the stresses involved in being a consultant psychiatrist and how to manage these appropriately.
Clinical Governance
Essential
- An understanding of the importance of Clinical Governance in the NHS organisations and importance in patient care.
- Awareness of current issues in mental health service provision, policy and legislation
Leadership Skills
Essential
- Understand principles of leadership and give examples of leadership in own practice.
- Able to provide clinical leadership to a multi-disciplinary team.
Research and Audit
Essential
- Experience of carrying out an audit project
- Experience or involvement in a research project and publication
- Ability to supervisor junior medical staff undertaking research projects
Desirable
- Published audit project
- Ability to critically appraise published research
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.
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to 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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to 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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
