Forensic Psychiatry Jobs
Forensic Psychiatrists assess and treat patients with mental disorders who have been convicted of a crime. They respond to psychiatric emergencies and can provide acute clinical care as well as management of long-term psychiatric conditions and mental health. Their patients often have dangerous and aggressive behaviours, have harmed others and been harmed by others, and may suffer from co-morbid health conditions and substance use disorders. Forensic Psychiatrists work directly with their patients and can prescribe treatments and therapies, including biological, psychological and social interventions, which aim to manage the mental disorder and reduce offending behaviour and risk to others. They work in secure healthcare settings, including prisons and correctional facilities, and in other community and custodial environments. They advise agencies who work within the criminal justice system, collaborate with forensic and support staff, and provide consultation and advice to medical colleagues who work in general psychiatry. They may be responsible for leadership and management, teaching and research, and the development and improvement of services. To pursue a career in this field, doctors complete foundation training and core Psychiatry training, gaining membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. They then apply to undertake training in Forensic Psychiatry, which takes an indicative 3-years to complete, can be combined with dual training in general psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry or medical psychotherapy, and leads to entry onto the GMC specialist register.