Speciality Doctor in Adult ADHD Service

Job responsibilities

Clinical Duties Specialist assessment and diagnosis of adult ADHD using structured clinical interviews and validated tools (e.g., ACE+/DIVA5) alongside developmental history, collateral information and differential diagnosis. Assess risk and capacity as required. Formulation and treatment planning using a biopsychosocial approach; provide psychoeducation; advise on reasonable adjustments and occupational/educational support; signpost to psychological interventions and coaching where available. Medication initiation and optimisation (e.g., lisdexamfetamine, methylphenidate, atomoxetine; dexamfetamine where indicated), including:o Baseline evaluation (cardiovascular risk, blood pressure/pulse, weight/BMI; ECG if indicated) and physical health monitoring schedule.o Dose titration to clinical response and tolerability, with systematic monitoring of efficacy, side effects (including sleep, appetite, cardiovascular parameters, mood/anxiety), and misuse/diversion risk.o Safe and lawful prescribing of controlled drugs with accurate recordkeeping and reconciliation; work with pharmacy and ICB on formulary adherence. Comorbidity management & liaison: screen for common psychiatric comorbidities (anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, personality difficulties, substance use, ASD, tic disorders) and relevant physical health issues (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular and other physical health conditions); coordinate care with CMHT, IAPT/psychology, substance misuse, primary care and other relevant clinicians/services. Shared care and discharge planning: prepare comprehensive sharedcare letters; transfer stable patients to GP under formal sharedcare arrangements; provide advice for primary care and accept rereferrals if instability occurs. Perinatal and reproductive health: provide preconception and pregnancy counselling regarding ADHD and medicines; liaise with perinatal mental health services as required. Driving and safety advice: document discussions regarding fitness to drive and DVLA guidance; provide occupational risk advice (e.g., operating machinery, safetycritical roles). Records and information governance: maintain contemporaneous electronic records; complete outcome measures and mandated datasets; ensure high standards of documentation for titration and monitoring. Mental Health & Capacity legislation: apply the Mental Capacity Act; contribute to MHA processes where relevant; support colleagues with Section 5(2)/MHA queries (note: detentions are uncommon in ADHD pathways but legal literacy is expected). Urgent care interface: collaborate with crisis and liaison services for patients presenting with acute risk, severe comorbidity or medicationrelated concerns.

Management, Leadership & Service Development Contribute to clinical governance, QI, service evaluation and audit (e.g., waiting time reduction, titration pathway efficiency, medicines safety, outcome monitoring). Participate in MDT meetings, case discussions, and clinical huddles; support traumainformed and neuroaffirming practice. Provide clinical advice to GPs and partner agencies; contribute to pathway and protocol development (assessment standards, sharedcare, physical health monitoring, safeguarding, equality of access). Support safe medicines management including controlleddrug governance, FP10/EPMA processes, stock reconciliation and incident reporting. Assist the service in delivering key performance indicators (e.g., assessment volumes, RTT, followup standards, physical health monitoring compliance).

Education & Supervision Offer supervision/teaching to medical students, junior doctors, NMPs and the wider MDT; contribute to induction and inservice training (e.g., assessment tools, titration, comorbidity, risk management). Engage in CPD and maintain a reflective portfolio; participate in peer groups and journal clubs; present at academic/QI meetings.

Education, Qualifications and Training

Essential

• Fully registered with the GMC with a license to practice.
• Minimum 4 years' postgraduate training (or equivalent), including at least 2 years in psychiatry at CT/ST or equivalent level.

Desirable

• Section 12(2) MHA approval
• MRCPsych or equivalent
• Evidence of progress towards CESR
• Formal training and experience in adult ADHD assessment tools (ACE+/DIVA-5/ASRS).

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience in assessing and managing adults with neurodevelopmental disorders, especially ADHD, including differential diagnosis and common psychiatric comorbidities (anxiety/depression, bipolar disorder, substance misuse, ASD, tics, etc.).
• Competence in initiating, titrating and monitoring ADHD medications in adults; familiarity with indications, contraindications, side-effects and misuse/diversion risk; safe controlled-drug prescribing and reconciliation.
• Ability to conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments, risk assessments and capacity assessments; produce clear formulations and care plans; deliver psychoeducation and shared-decision making
• Competence in physical health monitoring relevant to ADHD treatment (BP, pulse, weight/BMI; ECG when indicated) and in interpreting common abnormalities and liaising with primary care/ICB

Desirable

• Experience in CAMHS and/or perinatal ADHD care
• Trauma-informed and neuro-affirming practice
• Use of outcome measures; experience of delivering group psychoeducation/coaching

Knowledge

Essential

• Working knowledge of NICE guidance for ADHD (adults) and local shared-care protocols; awareness of DVLA guidance regarding ADHD and medicines; understanding of safeguarding, equality and reasonable adjustments.
• Understanding of Medicines Management principles (formulary adherence, controlled-drug governance, incident reporting, FP10/EPMA processes).

Desirable

• Awareness of UKAAN/RCPsych good-practice standards
• Familiarity with ICB formulary processes and interface with primary care

Skills

Essential

• Ability to work effectively within an MDT
• Ability to provide clinical advice and support to colleagues
• Ability to supervise junior staff/NMPs
• Contribute to QI/audit and service development
• Excellent verbal and written communication

Desirable

• Evidence of completed audits/QI with demonstrable impact
• Teaching qualifications or regular teaching contributions

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Culturally competent, compassionate and person-centred
• Commitment to co-production and reducing health inequalities
• Commitment to CPD, appraisal and revalidation; ability to travel within the borough/sector to fulfil duties; satisfactory occupational health clearance and references

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).