The Royal College of Psychiatrists has published updated guidance to support psychiatrists and employers when developing and reviewing job descriptions and job plans.
Job Planning for Psychiatrists was developed in response to feedback from College members about the challenges they can face when agreeing achievable job plans. It updates guidance last published in 2017 and is intended for all psychiatrists working across the UK.
Psychiatrists work across a wide range of specialties, services and settings, and their roles extend beyond appointments and direct patient contact. The guidance therefore does not set out a single model or recommended patient number for every psychiatrist. Instead, it provides a practical starting point for job-planning discussions and helps ensure that the full range and complexity of psychiatric work is properly considered.
The biopsychosocial approach is embedded throughout the guidance, recognising the time psychiatrists need to understand patients’ diagnoses, needs, wishes and circumstances, build therapeutic relationships and agree appropriate care and treatment.
Professor Owen Bowden-Jones CBE, Registrar at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said:
“We have listened carefully to members who have told us about the challenges they can face when agreeing achievable job plans.
“Psychiatry is not one-size-fits-all. Roles vary considerably across specialties, services and settings, and job plans need to reflect the full range of work involved in providing high-quality patient care.
“I hope this guidance gives psychiatrists and employers a practical starting point for open and constructive discussions, helping them agree roles that are realistic, sustainable and responsive to the needs of patients and services.”
The guidance was developed with detailed contributions from College Officers, Faculties, committees, SAS psychiatrists, regional advisers and colleagues from across the four UK nations.
It will be maintained online as a living document, allowing it to be reviewed and updated as services, legislation, technology and ways of working change.
The College welcomes feedback from psychiatrists and employers to help inform future updates. Comments can be sent to workforce@rcpsych.ac.uk.
For further information, please contact:
- Email: press@rcpsych.ac.uk
- X: @rcpsych
- Out-of-hours contact number: 07860 755896