Go back South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Specialty Doctor (SAS) – National Autism Unit
The closing date is 09 June 2026
We are seeking to appoint a substantive Speciality Doctor , National Autism Unit for 8 PAs per week. The is a new post; created to meet service needs. The post holder will join other members of senior and junior medical team.
Main duties of the job
This role requires the candidate to work effectively within the multi-disciplinary team that includes other medical doctors, nurses and other staff. Respect of the input of all team members, and clear communication with clinical and other staff is required. The National Autism Unit comprises a 15-bedded ward. The Unit is a tertiary referral centre, specializing in expert, evidence-based treatment for people with autism spectrum disorders who often have multiple mental health comorbidities and impairment of behaviour. The unit’s aim is to enhance a patient’s quality of life through intensive, hospital-based rehabilitation and recovery and reduce the risk of readmission and enable less dependent long-term care in the community. The unit has received an ‘outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission. The doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and occupational therapists, psychologists and others who
work in our service are experts in their field, with the majority also undertaking research into the effectiveness of existing and new treatments. We have a particular interest in psychological and pharmacological therapies for treatment resistance, and in genetic and neurobiological methods of screening/testing for ASD.
About us
National Autism Unit (NAU) at SLaM is an inpatient service for adult men with diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder with / without additional mental health problems. The service aims to provide a high-level evidence based clinical service in the assessment and management of people with autism spectrum disorder as part of the NAU clinical team under the direction of Dr Saadia Arshad and Dr Quinton Deeley (Consultant Psychiatrists)
The post holder will have access to office at National Autism Unit, Bethlem Royal Hospital, with access to a trust networked computer and dedicated administrative staff. A laptop for remote working and trust mobile phone will be provided.
Job responsibilities
The primary duties of this 8 PA speciality doctor post is to provide clinical care for the patient admitted to the National Autism Unit. The post holder will conduct routine ward based physical and mental health reviews as well as interventions, attend CPA reviews, and carry out liaison work with community network and multi-disciplinary colleagues from the unit. The post holder will provide clinical cross cover for the other non consultant medical workforce and vice versa. The post holder will be employed by the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.
Assessment of new referrals under consultant supervision including outreach visits
Admission assessment and documentation
Assessment of capacity under supervision and / or in liaison with other discipline leads
Develop an understanding of The Mental Health Act 1983 (r. 2007)
Compile Mental Health Review Tribunals / Managwrs Hearing Medical reports adequate supervision will be provided
Provide Medical evidence for Mental Health Review Tribunals / Managers Hearing when required adequate shadowing opportunities and supervision will be provided
Prepare medical input for weekly MDT meetings and three monthly CPA meetings (*CPA meeting format is currently under review)
Leading MDT reviews, Minute taking, chairing CPA meetings
Necessary documentation on electronic patient records
Background research regarding complex clinical presentations
Audit and teaching, and undertaking clinical research on the unit seeking publication
Liaison with medical colleagues to ensure optimal medical care
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
- GMC registration/revalidation and license to practice
- MRCPsych (D) or MRCPsych close to completion
- Higher degree such as master’s degree, MD or PhD
Experience Required
- Section 12 (2) approved
- Experience in diagnosing and managing people with neurodevelopmental disorders with / without mental health problems, with / without impairment of behaviours and other complex health problems
- Commitment to the development of excellence in services for people with Intellectual Disabilities and coexisting mental health problems
- Experience in contributing towards development of services for people with Neurodevelopmental Disorders and coexisting mental health problems
- Previous experience of working in specialist mental health and / or integrated services for adults with mental health problems
Management/Audit/ Quality Improvement
- Experience in organisation and delivery of services for people with NDD with / without coexisting mental health problems, with / without impairment of behaviour
- Ability to plan and conduct clinical and quality improvement projects and to translate findings into practice to improve quality (E) Skills in collaborative working with senior staff and other professional groups
- Skills in chairing and / or contributing to multiagency clinical meetings
- Skills in implementing service development /transformation / improvement projects
Teaching
- Skills in providing teaching and training at undergraduate and postgraduate level to medical staff and other professional groups
- Skills in providing clinical supervision to medical and non-medical staff
Research Experience
- Understanding of principles of clinical research
- Ability to participate in Directorate-wide Education and Research agenda
- Record of publications in peer reviewed or academic or professional journals and/or books
Personal Skills
- Good written and verbal skills including communicating complex and sensitive information to colleagues, other stakeholders, service users and their carers
- Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships (E) Ability to work and negotiate with multidisciplinary colleagues (E) Effective, grade appropriate leadership skills
- Participation in Trust process of Annual Appraisal and Revalidation Process
Other Qualities
- Supportive of initiatives to enhance user involvement
- Commitment to continuing professional development, to partnership working and to reflective clinical practice
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Address
National Autism Unit, Bethlem Royal Hospital
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
334-PMOA-7518998-JA
Job locations
National Autism Unit, Bethlem Royal Hospital
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