Job summary
FIXED TERM CONTRACT FROM 04/02/2026 - 04/08/2026
We expect this post to receive a high amount of applications and as such, this advert may close early if a sufficient number of applications have been received. We therefore recommend early application should this post be of interest.
Would you like to be part of leading health and wellbeing service in the provision of mental health, community and inpatient care? Why not join Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust for the opportunity to flourish and excel in your career and be part of our dedicated medical team.
An excellent Local Appointment for Service (LAS) Specialty Trainee (ST4-6) opportunity is available for a 6-month fixed-term contract within Older Adult Specialist Dementia Community and Inpatient.
This post is particularly well suited to doctors intending to apply for ST4 entry in the National recruitment round, offering focused exposure to senior inpatient responsibilities within a well-supported training environment.
Applicants should have at least 2 years' postgraduate experience in Psychiatry or appropriate psychiatry experience ideally including completion (or near completion) of Core Psychiatry Training or equivalent experience. The role is particularly suitable for doctors seeking a stepping-stone post prior to ST4 application.
Main duties of the job
However if no suitable LAS doctor is identified with experience, this LAS job can be an excellent opportunity for LAS doctors wanting to understand working with NHS or have already worked few months in NHS and would like more experience of working within NHS.
The role is designed to allow the post-holder to function at a higher trainee level or at the appropriate level, while remaining closely supervised by the Consultant Psychiatrist/Responsible Clinician.
The successful applicant will gain direct experience aligned with respective psychiatry curriculum, including senior clinical decision-making, leadership within the MDT, supervision of junior doctors, and substantial exposure to Mental Health Act and tribunal work, all of which are key competencies expected at higher training entry.
The post holder will be expected to work in a multidisciplinary team (MDT) consisting of Consultant Psychiatrists, Psychiatric Nurses, Social workers, Psychologist, Occupational Therapist and Pharmacist. The post holder will have shared responsibility for the clinical care of those patients referred to the team and will be expected to work closely with the consultants and team manager to ensure the provision of an effective service.
You must hold full GMC registration.
About us
As well as making a clinical difference, we believe that your development is key so you will be supported to enable you to pursue educational and research interests which go hand in hand to provide a high quality of care and safety to our patients. We have excellent links with the medical school at ARU and other educational establishments where we have shared appointments in teaching and research.
EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;
- Season Ticket Loans
- NHS discounts for staff
- Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
- Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
- The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
- Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
- Day One Flexible Employer
Job description
Job responsibilities
Observe the Trusts agreed policies and procedures.
Provide, with consultant colleagues, a service in the specialty for the Trust with responsibility for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illness, and the proper functioning of the department.
Honour out-of-hours responsibilities, including rota commitments where contracted.
Provide agreed cover for colleagues periods of leave.
Participate in audit and continuing medical education.
Have shared responsibility for clinical care of those patients referred to the team and will be expected to work closely with the consultants and team manager to ensure the provision of an effective service.
Be involved in research and teaching where appropriate.
Acting as appropriate clinician for allocated inpatients, undertaking comprehensive reviews, risk management, treatment planning, and coordinating safe discharge
- Leading and supervising ward rounds and care reviews, with responsibility for high-quality clinical documentation.
- Supporting junior doctors (CT1-3, GPST, FY1), including review of clerking, ward round entries, and discharge summaries.
- Chairing the weekly MDT meeting and overseeing implementation of agreed actions
- Undertaking Mental Health Act and medico-legal work, including tribunal reports and hearings, capacity assessments, and SOAD processes.
- Working closely with nursing, psychology, OT, and community teams to deliver integrated, recovery-focused care.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Observe the Trusts agreed policies and procedures.
Provide, with consultant colleagues, a service in the specialty for the Trust with responsibility for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illness, and the proper functioning of the department.
Honour out-of-hours responsibilities, including rota commitments where contracted.
Provide agreed cover for colleagues periods of leave.
Participate in audit and continuing medical education.
Have shared responsibility for clinical care of those patients referred to the team and will be expected to work closely with the consultants and team manager to ensure the provision of an effective service.
Be involved in research and teaching where appropriate.
Acting as appropriate clinician for allocated inpatients, undertaking comprehensive reviews, risk management, treatment planning, and coordinating safe discharge
- Leading and supervising ward rounds and care reviews, with responsibility for high-quality clinical documentation.
- Supporting junior doctors (CT1-3, GPST, FY1), including review of clerking, ward round entries, and discharge summaries.
- Chairing the weekly MDT meeting and overseeing implementation of agreed actions
- Undertaking Mental Health Act and medico-legal work, including tribunal reports and hearings, capacity assessments, and SOAD processes.
- Working closely with nursing, psychology, OT, and community teams to deliver integrated, recovery-focused care.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
Eligibility
Essential
- Eligible for full registration with the GMC at time of appointment.
- Eligibility to work in the UK
- At least 2 years' postgraduate experience in Psychiatry or appropriate psychiatry experience
Skills and Experience
Essential
- Evidence of achievement of Foundation competencies by time of appointment in line with GMC standards in Good Medical Practice
- Evidence of achievement of ST1/CT1 competences in psychiatry at time of application and likelihood of achieving CT2 competences in psychiatry by the start date of the post.
Clinical skills
Essential
- Relevant specialty clinical knowledge: capacity to apply sound clinical knowledge relevant to the job and specialty
- Clinical judgement: experience in making clinical decisions and managing risk. Knows when to seek help, able to prioritise clinical need.
- Practical skills: shows aptitude for practical skills, required in the job.
- Proven ability to work effectively in different clinical settings required in the job.
- Clinical governance: Capacity to be alert to dangers or problems. Demonstrates awareness of good decision making. Aware of own limitations. Track record of engaging in clinical governance: reporting errors, learning from errors.
- Audit: evidence of active participation in audit.
- Teaching: evidence of interest and experience in teaching where required in the job.
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience of conducting cognitive assessments is desirable.
Communication skills
Essential
- Effective communication skills: demonstrates clarity in written/spoken communication and capacity to adapt language as appropriate to the situation.
- Empathy and sensitivity: capacity to listen and take in others' perspectives.
- Works in partnership with patients: always considers patients preferences when discussing treatment options.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
Eligibility
Essential
- Eligible for full registration with the GMC at time of appointment.
- Eligibility to work in the UK
- At least 2 years' postgraduate experience in Psychiatry or appropriate psychiatry experience
Skills and Experience
Essential
- Evidence of achievement of Foundation competencies by time of appointment in line with GMC standards in Good Medical Practice
- Evidence of achievement of ST1/CT1 competences in psychiatry at time of application and likelihood of achieving CT2 competences in psychiatry by the start date of the post.
Clinical skills
Essential
- Relevant specialty clinical knowledge: capacity to apply sound clinical knowledge relevant to the job and specialty
- Clinical judgement: experience in making clinical decisions and managing risk. Knows when to seek help, able to prioritise clinical need.
- Practical skills: shows aptitude for practical skills, required in the job.
- Proven ability to work effectively in different clinical settings required in the job.
- Clinical governance: Capacity to be alert to dangers or problems. Demonstrates awareness of good decision making. Aware of own limitations. Track record of engaging in clinical governance: reporting errors, learning from errors.
- Audit: evidence of active participation in audit.
- Teaching: evidence of interest and experience in teaching where required in the job.
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience of conducting cognitive assessments is desirable.
Communication skills
Essential
- Effective communication skills: demonstrates clarity in written/spoken communication and capacity to adapt language as appropriate to the situation.
- Empathy and sensitivity: capacity to listen and take in others' perspectives.
- Works in partnership with patients: always considers patients preferences when discussing treatment options.
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).
