Specialty Doctor in Adult Mental Health - Crisis

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust Specialty Doctor in Adult Mental Health - Crisis

Closing date: 19 March 2026

This is an exciting opportunity for a full-time Specialty Doctor post to work 1.0 WTE across the Durham and Darlington Crisis Service covering a population of approximately 500,000.

The Adult Crisis Service operates 24/7 to undertake comprehensive triage assessment of individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, aiming to prevent hospital admission. When admission is required the crisis team supports patients through leave, recovery based discharge and facilitates productive bed flow. The service also provides intensive home treatment and S136 assessments outside street triage hours. On average there are 300-400 referrals per month, many of which result in direct assessments or sign posting and advice.

The service is currently operated from two sites: Lanchester Road Hospital and West Park Hospital. This description relates to the West Park Hospital role, with reciprocal cover expected for both sites. A daily report out meeting discusses all patients; attendance is recommended in person, with remote technology available.

Main duties of the job

• Regular attendance at crisis team daily report out meetings, including remote participation via Microsoft Teams.
• Triage and assessment of patients referred to the crisis service, especially in complex cases and where a medical opinion is required.
• Provision of medical reviews for patients receiving intensive home treatment.
• Formulation work for patients presenting with complex difficulties or diagnostic uncertainty.
• Participation in multi agency meetings for patients who repeatedly access services or present to various agencies.
• Support and clinical supervision of the team where appropriate.
• Teaching and training delivery to the team.
• Liaison with GPs and interfacing agencies.
• Work under the Mental Health Act, with preferred S12 approval.
• Engagement in service development opportunities, including evaluation of the new crisis service.

About us

We are one of the largest specialist mental health and learning disabilities trusts in the country, with an annual income of £320m and a workforce of about 6,700 staff operating from around 100 sites across Durham, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York, Selby and beyond.

We provide inpatient and community services to 2 million people and additional specialist services to other parts of Northern England. We are a multi award winning trust, featured in the Health Service Journal's Best 100 Places to Work. The trust actively supports staff development through the Talent Management approach and the TEWV Charter for the Medical Workforce.

Person Specification Teaching & Training

• Able to deliver undergraduate or postgraduate teaching and training.
• Evidence of achievement in education, research, audit and service improvement: awards, prizes, presentations and publications.
• Participation in continuous professional development.
• Evidence of annual appraisal and commitment to appraisal and revalidation.

Qualifications

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification.
• Fully registered with the GMC and holding a licence to practise at the time of appointment.
• At least 4 years' postgraduate experience, including at least 2 years in a core psychiatry training programme in the UK or abroad.
• Approved under S12 of the MHA or able to achieve within 6 months of appointment.
• MRCPsych or equivalent postgraduate qualification.

Clinical Knowledge & Skills

• Good knowledge of psychiatry.
• Excellent clinical skills using a bio psycho social perspective and broad medical knowledge.
• Ability to manage clinical complexity and uncertainty.

Research, Audit & Quality Improvement

• Active participation in clinical audit.
• Commitment to quality through knowledge of quality improvement and lean thinking methodology.
• Participation in research and/or service improvement.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check for previous criminal convictions.

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust