Consultant Psychiatrist in the CMHT & Assertive/Support Team

Job summary

We are seeking a dynamic Consultant Psychiatrist to join our dedicated teams at the West Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) and College Keep, home to the Assertive/Supportive Outreach Team.

This rewarding role involves delivering high-quality assessment, clinical care, and treatment for adults aged 18--65 with complex and enduring mental health needs. The successful candidate will provide clinical leadership to the multidisciplinary team, participate in routine clinics, conduct domiciliary visits, and offer expert consultation, particularly for complex cases. Depending on Deanery allocations, the post may be supported by junior medical staff, for whom the post holder will act as Clinical Supervisor.

The CMHT operates as a single point of access for referred individuals and works in line with recovery principles, supported by a team of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, OTs, support workers, and administrators. The Assertive/Supportive Outreach Team, with a small caseload model, supports individuals with high-risk or complex presentations, many under community or Ministry of Justice restrictions. The post holder will act as Responsible Clinician and participate in regular MDTs, medical reviews, and inter-team liaison.

You will also collaborate with other consultants across the Southampton CMHTs and community services, including providing cross-cover during annual or study leave.

Join us and make a meaningful difference within a supportive and forward-thinking environment.

Main duties of the job

Consultants will bring clinical expertise and leadership to deliver the highest standards of care, focusing on supervision, oversight, and the management of complex and severe cases. Key responsibilities include:

• Promoting evidence-based, recovery-focused interventions, supporting service user independence through effective assessment, care planning, and evaluation.
• Managing a small, flexible caseload of individuals presenting with the most acute or urgent needs to ensure responsive and tailored care.
• Applying a biopsychosocial approach to formulate complex cases and make informed clinical decisions.
• Actively involving carers and ward teams, ensuring collaborative care and consistent communication.
• Leading on risk management by assessing, balancing, and communicating risk effectively, supporting the MDT by maintaining a calm, hopeful, and supportive presence.
• Upholding robust practices in care planning, safeguarding, and risk assessment in line with organisational policies.
• Driving a focus on positive clinical outcomes and enhancing patient experience.
• Chairing consultant-led MDT/triage meetings, offering education, supervision, and clinical oversight.
• Acting as Responsible Clinician for patients detained under the Mental Health Act.
• Supporting a culture of learning through reflection on good practice, incidents, complaints, and concerns.
• Promptly escalating any clinical concerns to the Divisional Medical Director.

About us

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a newly established organisation, bringing together expertise from across mental health, learning disabilities, community, and physical health services. We are dedicated to delivering compassionate, high-quality, and accessible care to the diverse communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

With over 13,000 dedicated staff working across more than 300 sites, we place patients and staff at the centre of everything we do. Our goal is to create an integrated healthcare system that improves accessibility and ensures more consistent care for patients. By working together, we aim to improve patient outcomes, drive innovation, and meet the unique needs of the populations we serve.

Our Trust unites services from Southern Health, Solent NHS Trust, Isle of Wight NHS Trusts community and mental health teams, as well as Hampshire CAMHS, originally part of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. This transformation enables us to deliver more seamless care across the region, ensuring that patients receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.

Join us as we embark on this exciting journey to shape the future of healthcare across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. We are deeply committed to our CARE values of compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence, and offer outstanding opportunities for career development, training, and collaborative working.

Employer details

Employer name

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Cannon House

6 Cannon Street

Southampton

Hampshire

SO15 5PQ

Employer's website

https://hiowhealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

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Employer details

Employer name

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Cannon House

6 Cannon Street

Southampton

Hampshire

SO15 5PQ

Employer's website

https://hiowhealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

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