Job summary
We are seeking a motivated Band 7 Specialist Autism Practitioner (Therapist, Nurse, Psychologist, Social Worker) to join our supportive neurodevelopmental diagnostic team. The primary focus of this role is delivering Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnostic assessments as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT). The post holder will also contribute to ADHD assessments where required, although this is not the main focus of the role.
Applicants must have previous experience working with autistic individuals and a well-grounded understanding of autism.
This is a fast-paced and rewarding position, suited to someone who is a clear thinker, highly organised, and able to work efficiently in a pressurised environment. You will manage a busy caseload, complete structured diagnostic assessments, and produce clear, timely reports. We are particularly interested in someone who can bring innovation, efficiency, and strong clinical thinking to their work to support the continued development of the service.
The service operates across six days, with one Saturday per month required, paid at the appropriate Agenda for Change enhanced rate with time off in lieu.
In return, you will join a friendly and experienced team who are passionate about delivering high-quality assessments. You will benefit from regular supervision, peer support, and opportunities to further develop your diagnostic skills within a collaborative MDT.
Main duties of the job
The post holder is an autonomous and highly specialist practitioner who provides diagnostic assessment, and post diagnostic recommendations and plans for children and young people with social communication difficulties and/or a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and suspected ADHD.
S/He will be highly experienced in their knowledge of ASD and will be primarily conducting assessments using:
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)
Autism Diagnostic Interviews (ADI-R) / Developmental, Dimensional and Diagnostic Interview (3di)
Formulating diagnoses and providing feedback to parent(s)/carer(s) and schools
Working in an MDT and supporting the team to formulate and confirm/exclude different diagnoses.
About us
Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and one of Britain's leading healthcare providers.
The Barts Health group of NHS hospitals is entering an exciting new era on our improvement journey to becoming an outstanding organisation with a world-class clinical reputation. Having lifted ourselves out of special measures, we now have the impetus and breathing space to chart a fresh course in which we are continually striving to improve all our services for patients.
Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which our WeCare values and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together.
We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledgerequired. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledgerequired. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Recognized Health Professional degree - nursing, social work, clinical/education psychologist, Psychotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech and Language Therapist
- Registered member of Professional Body
- Applied knowledge of issues relating to the SEN Code of Practice
- Advanced knowledge of the theory and practice relating to ASD
- Evidence of post-graduate training in clinical areas related to children with ASD, Adult - child interaction
- Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)
- Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised or similar e.g. DISCO, 3Di etc
- Advanced knowledge of ADHD
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with children and / or young people with social communication disorders and/or ASD and/or ADHD
- Experience of clinical governance, including evidence-based practice, audit, quality standards, target-setting, and evaluation
- Experience of organising and ensuring care of equipment and resources
- Experience of working in an ASD / ADHD diagnostic team
- Experience of working with children and / or young people with social communication disorders and ASD / ADHD in a resourced provision or special school setting
- Experience of multidisciplinary working within health and / or education
- Clinical experience of working with bilingual families
Desirable
- Experience of supervision / management of staff
- Experience of working in deprived socio-economic, inner-city areas
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Recognized Health Professional degree - nursing, social work, clinical/education psychologist, Psychotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech and Language Therapist
- Registered member of Professional Body
- Applied knowledge of issues relating to the SEN Code of Practice
- Advanced knowledge of the theory and practice relating to ASD
- Evidence of post-graduate training in clinical areas related to children with ASD, Adult - child interaction
- Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)
- Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised or similar e.g. DISCO, 3Di etc
- Advanced knowledge of ADHD
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with children and / or young people with social communication disorders and/or ASD and/or ADHD
- Experience of clinical governance, including evidence-based practice, audit, quality standards, target-setting, and evaluation
- Experience of organising and ensuring care of equipment and resources
- Experience of working in an ASD / ADHD diagnostic team
- Experience of working with children and / or young people with social communication disorders and ASD / ADHD in a resourced provision or special school setting
- Experience of multidisciplinary working within health and / or education
- Clinical experience of working with bilingual families
Desirable
- Experience of supervision / management of staff
- Experience of working in deprived socio-economic, inner-city areas
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
