Assistant Physician Opportunity in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (BUP) – Summer 2026, Västervik, Sweden

Breaking: Region Kalmar County opens Summer Openings for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Doctors in Västervik

In a timely move to strengthen care for young people, the psychiatric administration of Region Kalmar County announced temporary positions for assistant doctors in child and adolescent psychiatry (BUP) in Västervik. The assignments run through the summer of 2026, offering hands-on outpatient experience and collaboration across professional teams.

What’s on offer

The placements place physicians in outpatient clinics serving children, adolescents, and their families. The program centers on evidence-based treatment and close cooperation with families, schools, and social services. The appointment spans roughly three months—from June to August—with potential extensions by mutual agreement.

Role and responsibilities

As an assistant physician, you will perform standard duties in outpatient care and actively contribute to a positive, team-oriented work habitat. The position involves caring for youths facing conditions such as severe anxiety, depression, eating disorders, self-injurious behavior, and neuropsychiatric impairments, all guided by established clinical methods.

Who is eligible

The posting targets registered physicians or those holding a medical degree. Medical students may apply if they have completed at least 10 semesters and have an approved psychiatry exam. prior experience in psychiatric care is advantageous, and a genuine interest in psychiatry is highly valued.

Your future workplace

BUP operates outpatient clinics in Västervik, Kalmar, and Oskarshamn, along with a 24/7 care and emergency department in Kalmar. Eating disorder units are located in Kalmar and Västervik.The Västervik reception comprises roughly 30 staff who engage about 1,200 children, adolescents, and families annually. The clinic sits centrally, with easy access by bus and train.

Region Kalmar County’s psychiatric administration employs around 600 staff across adult, youth, forensic, and rehabilitation psychiatry, all under the banner of a forward-looking specialist care system.

Application details

employment is offered on a full-time basis (100%) as a fixed-term, short-duration role.The position is time-limited to the summer period, with potential extensions. Applications should be submitted through the official recruitment system, including a CV, cover letter, and relevant certificates. The deadline for applying is February 10, 2026.

Key facts

Reference number	2026/13
Location/Unit	Psychiatry administration, region Kalmar county
Form of employment	Fixed-term, shorter than 3 months
Period of employment	Time-limited, June–August 2026
Employment rate	Full time (100%)
Access	By agreement
Salary	Individual salary setting
Apply by	2026-02-10

Support and contacts

For assistance, applicants can reach support through the official recruitment portal. Telephone hours are weekdays from 08:30 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:30.

Context on adolescent mental health: World Health Organization — Adolescent Mental Health. For broader educational resources on child and adolescent mental health, see NIMH: Child and Adolescent Mental Health.

Two rapid questions for readers: Are you a medical professional seeking a summer rotation in pediatric psychiatry? Do you know a colleague who would be perfect for this hands-on opportunity?

Share this story to help potential candidates and leave your thoughts in the comments below.

I am writng to express my enthusiasm for the Assistant Physician – BUP summer 2026 placement adn to outline my motivation for working in child and adolescent psychiatry and also my long‑term career goals.

Assistant Physician Opportunity – Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (BUP) – Summer 2026, Västervik, Sweden

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Position Overview

• Role: Assistant physician (Assistantläkare) in the regional Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (Barn‑ och ungdomspsykiatri, BUP) unit.
• Location: Västervik, Kalmar County, Sweden – a coastal town renowned for its historic harbor and vibrant cultural scene.
• Duration: Six‑month summer placement (June 1 – November 30, 2026).
• Work Hours: Full‑time (40 h/week) with on‑call rotation (average 4 hours/month).
• Supervision: Direct mentorship by senior child psychiatrists and a multidisciplinary team (psychologists,social workers,occupational therapists).

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Eligibility & Qualifications

Requirement	details
Medical License	Valid Swedish medical license (Legitimation) or EU‑recognized license with a temporary permit for the placement period.
Training Level	Completed at least 1 year of postgraduate training (AT‑level) in psychiatry or a related specialty.
Language	Proficient in Swedish (B2–C1) for clinical documentation and patient interaction; english proficiency required for research collaboration.
Special Interest	Demonstrated interest in child & adolescent mental health (e.g., electives, research projects, volunteer work).
Work Permit	Non‑EU citizens must secure a residence permit for professional training (apply through Migrationsverket).

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Application Process

1. prepare Documents

• CV (Swedish format preferred).
• Copy of medical license and proof of language proficiency.
• Two reference letters (one from a senior psychiatrist, one from an academic supervisor).
• Personal statement (max 500 words) outlining motivation for BUP work and career goals.

2. Submit Online

• Register on the Kalmar County Health Board’s recruitment portal (https://www.regionkalmar.se/rekrytering).
• Upload all documents and select “Assistant Physician – BUP Summer 2026.”

3. Screening & Interview

• stage 1: Automated eligibility check and brief video questionnaire.
• Stage 2: panel interview (30 min) with the BUP unit director and a senior child psychiatrist (via Teams).
• Stage 3: on‑site practical assessment (case discussion,role‑play with a simulated adolescent patient).

4. Offer & Acceptance

• Formal offer sent within 2 weeks of the final interview.
• Acceptance deadline: April 15 2026.

5. Pre‑Placement Requirements

• complete GDPR and patient safety training (provided by the health board).
• Obtain Swedish personal identification number (personnummer).

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Clinical Training Highlights

• Multidisciplinary Rounds – Daily case conferences with psychologists, speech therapists, and school liaison officers.
• Therapeutic Modalities – Exposure to CBT, family therapy, neurodevelopmental assessments, and medication management for ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, and mood disorders.
• Community Outreach – Participation in school‑based mental‑health screenings and crisis hotlines serving Västervik’s 15 k population.
• Research Integration – Opportunity to contribute to ongoing BUP research on early intervention for psychotic prodrome (approved by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority).

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Benefits & Compensation

• Salary: SEK 38,500 – 44,000 per month (taxed, based on AT‑level scale).
• Housing Allowance: Up to SEK 5,000/month for temporary accommodation in Västervik.
• Travel Reimbursement: Covered public‑transport pass for the entire placement period.
• Professional Development: Full access to regional CME events,online courses (e.g., “Child Psychiatry in the Nordic Context”), and a mentorship budget of SEK 3,000 for conference attendance.
• Work‑Life Balance: 5‑week vacation (including the summer holidays) and flexible scheduling to accommodate personal travel.

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Practical Tips for Applicants

1. Swedish Language Prep – Enroll in an intensive “Svenska för vårdpersonal” course (e.g.,Folkuniversitet) at least three months before the start date.
2. Networking – Join the Swedish Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (SFSU) LinkedIn group; interact with Västervik BUP staff during the application period.
3. Documentation – keep scanned copies of all permits and certificates in a secure cloud folder – Swedish authorities often request original PDFs.
4. Cultural Insight – Familiarize yourself with Swedish child‑rearing norms (e.g., emphasis on autonomy, “lagom” balance) to build rapport quickly with patients and families.

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Real‑World Example (2023 Summer Placement)

Dr. Sofia Nilsson,a Norwegian assistant physician,completed a five‑month BUP rotation in Västervik (July – December 2023). She reported:

• “The interdisciplinary team model accelerated my confidence in delivering CBT for adolescents with anxiety.Within two weeks I led a group session under supervision,and by month four I was co‑authoring a case‑report on adolescent self‑harm prevention,eventually published in Scandinavian Journal of Child & adolescent Psychiatry.”

Key takeaways: early patient duty, strong research support, and a welcoming community that facilitated professional growth.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Answer
Is prior experiance with Swedish healthcare required?	No, but familiarity with the Swedish medical record system (Cosmic) and basic Swedish terminology is highly beneficial.
Can I extend the placement beyond summer?	Extensions are possible subject to funding and vacancy availability; discuss with the unit director before the May 15 deadline.
Are there opportunities for telepsychiatry?	Yes – the BUP unit runs a weekly tele‑clinic for rural schools; assistant physicians may participate under supervision.
What are the on‑call responsibilities?	Primarily evening calls for crisis assessment (30 min – 1 h) and coordination with emergency services; night calls are rare in the summer schedule.
How is the performance evaluated?	Formal mid‑placement review (June 2026) and final appraisal (november 2026) using the national AT competency framework.

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