Consultant Psychiatrist

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Consultant Psychiatrist

The closing date is 02 August 2026

We have an exciting opportunity of 0.5 WTE Consultant Psychiatrist post at National Autism Inpatient Unit (NAU) at Bethlam Royal Hospital site. This 16-bedded unit provides high quality assessment and management to adults with primary diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Conditions. The Unit benefits from a dedicated multidisciplinary team in addition to two consultants, one SAS doctor and one higher trainee.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for 8 inpatients at NAU. They are expected to provide a lead role in assessing and creating management plans for adults with Autism Spectrum disorders who often present with behavioural impairment and additional mental health problems.

The post holder will work collaboratively with a dedicated multidisciplinary team who are experts in assessment and management of Autism Spectrum Disorder and associated clinical presentations.

The post holder will be encouraged to participate in existing research projects or develop their own in the area of Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

About us

National Autism Unit (NAU) receives referrals from across the UK and provides evidence‑based interventions and management for adults with complex needs. The post offers wide range of experience and development of expertise in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. There unit offers brilliant teaching, training and research opportunities through strong links with King's Health Partners. NAU is part of wider Neurodevelopmental Services at Behavioural and Developmental Clinical Academic Group.

Job responsibilities

• Take consultant and, where applicable, RC responsibility for NAU inpatients.
• Establish a reliable and accessible work schedule with the team during work hours, and be flexible and responsive to the needs of the service and the patients as necessary.
• Provide excellent intensive and expert assessment, risk assessment and management of patients with ASD and complex mental health problems.
• Provide medical leadership on the ward ensuring safe and timely service provision for service users.
• Contribute to matters related to ward clinical governance in collaboration with the ward manager.
• Work with senior managers and nurses, as well as other staff, to ensure that a high quality safe clinical service is provided to all patients and to participate in and spearhead quality improvement activities. Lead on responses to incidents and complaints if they arise.
• Work flexibly and creatively as part of a multidisciplinary team promoting informed risk taking and anti‑discriminatory practice.
• Liaise with external funding bodies and placement providers concerning admissions and discharges, using the CPA framework where appropriate.
• Liaise with medical colleagues concerning physical health care where needed.
• Provide cover for other consultants when they are on leave.
• Take part in teaching, research, audit and service improvement. The B&D CAG encourages all staff to engage in the academic activities of the CAG and teaching or research can be agreed in the job plan, where it supports the overall aims of the CAG.
• Contribute to business planning and service development.
• Ensure appropriate administration and documentation in relation to the duties of the post, including recording clinical activities in the Trust electronic patient record system (ePJS).

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

• Fully registered with the General Medical Council
• Eligible for inclusion in the Specialist Register or within 6 months of gaining CCT
• Approved under Section 12 (2) of the Mental Health Act 1983 and approved or willing to obtain approval as an Approved Clinician
• Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
• Membership of the Royal College of Physicians or General Practitioners

Experience

• Experience in teaching and supervising junior staff
• Experience of teaching medical undergraduates and postgraduates
• Experience of teaching non‑medical mental health professionals
• Experience of working in partnership with patients, families and carers
• At least 2 years' experience of working in NHS mental health teams
• Experience of treating patients with complex mental health problems including biological, psychological and social interventions and assessments, and management of risk
• Expertise in psychopharmacology
• Publications in peer review journals in a relevant academic field
• Experience of Service development
• Evidence of training in management skills
• Experience of supervising Psychiatric trainees
• Experience of organising teaching: undergraduate medical teaching, teaching of those in related disciplines.

Personal Skills

• Willingness to be involved in management of the service and help to ensure the continuing financial wellbeing of the service
• Participation in Medical Audit and Quality Assurance
• Commitment to Clinical Governance
• Commitment to research, evidence based mental health care & service development
• Enjoy working in multi-disciplinary teams
• Able to learn and adapt as per colleague and patient feedback
• Ability to manage own time, workload and prioritise clinical work
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work in multi-disciplinary team and provide leadership for the team
• Academic or service achievements in psychiatry or a related medical field

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