Locum Consultant PsychiatristNHS

Job summary

We are seeking an experienced Locum Consultant Psychiatrist to join our innovative Primary Care Student Mental Health Service based in Canterbury. This is a rewarding opportunity to work at the interface of primary and secondary care, supporting university students with a wide range of mental health needs.

Main duties of the job

• Provide psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and risk assessment for students referred into the service.
• Offer time-limited input, working closely with GPs, mental health practitioners, counsellors, and university wellbeing staff.
• Support safe prescribing and medication management where appropriate.
• Provide clinical supervision to the team and contribute to multidisciplinary discussions at the team meeting regarding care planning.
• Work flexibly in a primary care setting, with opportunities for both in-person and remote sessions.
• Provide clinical supervision and guidance to the non-medical prescriber nurse.

Job description

Job Description: Locum Consultant Psychiatrist (Student Mental Health Service Primary Care)

Location: Canterbury Contract Type: Locum (temporary, flexible sessions) Service Setting: Primary Care / University Student Mental Health Service Reports to: Clinical Lead / GP Partners

About the Service

Our Student Mental Health Service is a primary care-based team supporting the mental health and wellbeing of undergraduate and postgraduate university students across Kent and Medway. We work closely with the three main Universities; the University of Kent, Canterbury Christ Church University and the University of the Creative Arts as well as link in with the local associated medical schools. We work collaboratively with GPs, counsellors, wellbeing practitioners, and secondary mental health services to ensure timely, holistic, and student-centred care.

Role Summary

We are seeking a skilled and adaptable Locum Consultant Psychiatrist to provide high-quality psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, risk assessment and treatment planning for students presenting with a range of mental health needs. The postholder will contribute clinical expertise and supervision within a multidisciplinary team and help ensure smooth care pathways between primary care, university support services, and specialist mental health providers.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive psychiatric assessments of students referred by GPs, wellbeing teams, or other professionals.
• Provide clear diagnostic formulations, risk assessments, and management plans tailored to the student population.
• Offer evidence-based prescribing and medication management when clinically indicated.
• Liaise with GPs, university counselling services, wellbeing practitioners, and secondary care to ensure continuity of care.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary case discussions and offer psychiatric input to care planning.
• Provide brief interventions or time-limited reviews where appropriate.
• Support safe discharge planning and onward referral to secondary or specialist mental health services as required.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential clinical records in line with service protocols and regulatory standards.
• Work flexibly, recognising the unique developmental, social, and academic pressures faced by the student population.
• Support the work of the non-medical prescriber nurse and provide clinical supervision and guidance.

About us

The role is based in Canterbury, a vibrant historic city with excellent transport links and a large student population. We see undergraduate and postgraduate students from across Kent and Medway.

What We Offer:

• Flexible locum arrangements
• Part-time role 1 clinic plus team meeting per month
• Supportive and collegiate working environment.
• Opportunities to contribute to service development in a growing area of mental health need.
• Hours: Commitment to 1 clinic plus a team meeting per month.
• Duration: Locum cover (short-term with possible extension).
• Remuneration: To be discussed with UMC/Practice Manager

Please note: Previous applicants need not apply.