Specialty Doctor – Eating Disorders

Job Description
Community Specialty Doctor – Eating Disorders

About the Service

Our client provides a specialist Community Eating Disorders Service (CEDS) for adults presenting with severe and complex eating disorders.

The service manages 200–300 referrals per year, with an active caseload of approximately 70 service users, including around 30 high-risk individuals who require enhanced monitoring and multidisciplinary input.

The team operates a stepped-care model, with a local charity partner supporting individuals with mild to moderate eating difficulties, while the specialist team focuses on more complex presentations.

Care is delivered collaboratively, with close working relationships across primary care, acute hospitals, and community mental health teams.

The multidisciplinary service includes:

• Consultant Psychiatrist

• Specialty Doctor (this post)

• GP with Special Interest

• Psychologists (Consultant, Principal, Clinical)

• Nurse Practitioners

• Occupational Therapist

• Dietitians

• Clinical Support Workers

• Administrative Team

The team provides evidence-based treatments using a recovery-oriented approach, motivational work, and positive risk-taking supported by effective risk management.

Main Duties of the Job

As a Specialty Doctor within this specialist eating disorder service, you will:

Clinical Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive psychiatric assessments, including co-morbid mental health and physical health considerations.

• Provide ongoing psychiatric review and management under consultant supervision.

• Support the monitoring and treatment of physical complications associated with eating disorders.

• Participate in MEED (Medical Emergencies in Eating Disorders) pathway assessments for medically at-risk patients.

• Assist with risk assessment and management, contributing to a safe and recovery-focused model of care.

• Support medical monitoring of high-risk patients, including reviewing blood tests and escalating concerns appropriately.

Team & Service Responsibilities

• Work effectively within a multidisciplinary team, contributing to formulations, care plans, and MDT discussions.

• Provide advice to primary care and mental health teams to promote care in the least restrictive setting.

• Support the senior team in meeting clinical standards, KPIs, and national guidelines.

• Contribute to ongoing service development and quality improvement activities.

Teaching, Training & Supervision

• Teach and support junior medical staff, students, and non-medical professionals.

• Participate in clinical supervision and reflective practice.

• Maintain professional development and keep up-to-date with current evidence-based practice in eating disorders.

Governance, Audit & Research

• Participate in clinical audits, service evaluation, and audit cycles.

• Contribute to research initiatives where appropriate.

• Ensure high-quality, accurate clinical documentation.

Person Specification
Qualifications – Essential

• Full GMC registration

• Minimum 4 years postgraduate experience, including at least 2 in psychiatry

• Experience at SAS/Specialty Doctor/Senior Trainee level

• Eligibility for Section 12 Approval or willingness to apply

Desirable:

• MRCPsych or equivalent

• Higher academic degree (MD, PhD)

Knowledge & Experience – Essential

• Minimum one year's experience in eating disorder services or relevant transferable experience

• Strong knowledge of the Mental Health Act

• Experience working with complex and high-risk mental health presentations

• Understanding of cultural, social, and environmental factors in mental health

• Competence in medical and psychiatric assessment

Desirable:

• Experience in community psychiatry

• Involvement in service improvement, QI, or service development

• Previous work at Specialty Doctor/SAS level in community settings

Skills & Competencies – Essential

• Strong clinical and risk-management skills

• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team

• Leadership skills appropriate to Specialty Doctor level

• Excellent communication and documentation abilities

• Ability to manage complex caseloads under supervision

• Commitment to patient-centred and recovery-focused practice

Desirable:

• Leadership or management training

• Project management capability

Teaching & Research – Essential

• Experience teaching medical and non-medical professionals

• Ability to interpret and apply research to clinical practice

• Experience in audit

Desirable:

• Publications or grant-funded research involvement

• Medical education training/qualification

Other Requirements

• Valid UK driving licence

• Ability to travel between sites as required

Desirable:

• Access to own transport

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