Job summary
This is an opportunity to work as a permanent, substantive SAS (Specialty Doctor) in psychiatry within the new Hammersmith & Fulham Assertive Outreach Team, part of West London NHS Trust community mental health services. The post supports the tri-borough mobilisation of the Assertive Outreach (AO) function mandated by NHS England, and the post holder will work specifically within the AO arm of the team. The post is available at 0.8-1.0 WTE (8-10 PAs). The final timetable, including the balance of Direct Clinical Care and Supporting Professional Activities, will be agreed with the successful candidate.

The post is suitable for a Specialty Doctor in the early stages of their SAS career, including doctors with approximately 0-4 years' SAS experience, who have the required postgraduate and psychiatric experience for appointment to the grade and wishes to develop specialist expertise in assertive outreach and complex psychosis. The role centres on assertive engagement and community/home-based delivery for a small caseload of patients with severe psychosis who have found it difficult to engage with mainstream services, alongside participation in MDT and referral meetings within a new, evolving multidisciplinary team model.

Main duties of the job

• Undertake psychiatric assessment and ongoing follow-up of adults with severe, complex psychosis referred to or managed by the Assertive Outreach Team's cohort, appropriate to grade and level of supervision.
• Hold a small, low-caseload of patients within the AO cohort, providing intensive, proactive and flexible clinical input including regular clinic and community-based review appointments, in line with the AO model's emphasis on frequent, assertive contact.
• Participate in urgent reviews, referral discussions, Assertive Outreach Team MDT meetings and other routine clinical/governance meetings relevant to the AO pathway.
• Undertake regular domiciliary and other community-based visits - including joint visits with care co-ordinators and outreach workers - as a core, routine part of assertive engagement with patients who have difficulty engaging with services, tailoring the frequency and intensity of contact to individual need.
• Prescribe and review psychotropic medication within competence, liaising closely with the team's consultant psychiatrist/Responsible Clinician, with senior medical staff always available for advice and discussion.
• Contribute to biopsychosocial formulation, risk assessment, relapse prevention and care/risk management planning for the AO cohort, and liaise closely with carers, primary care, CRS, MINT, EIP, inpatient and third-sector partners to support joined-up care across the pathway

About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.

Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.

The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.

The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.

Details
Date posted: 24 September 2026
Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade: Specialty Doctor
Salary: £63,696 to £102,689 a year
Per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 222-MED-599
Job locations: Assertive Outreach Team, 179–183 Fulham Palace Road, London, W6 8QZ, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached.

The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification

Desirable

• Qualification or higher degree in clinical research or management
• MRCPsych
• Additional clinical qualifications

Eligibility
Essential

• Fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practice at the time of appointment
• Ability to take up post within a reasonable notice period.
• Good standing with GMC with respect to warning and conditions on practice
• Meets the eligibility criteria for appointment to the Specialty Doctor grade under the terms and conditions of service for the Specialty Doctor and Specialist (SAS) grades (2021 contract), including a minimum of four years' postgraduate training (or equivalent experience/competencies), of which at least two years will have been in psychiatry.

Desirable

• Approval under Section 12(2) of the Mental Health Act 1983.

Clinical knowledge
Essential

• Ability to assess and manage adult mental health presentations appropriate to grade under supervision, including severe and Assertive Outreach in patients who are difficult to engage, in a community and domiciliary setting.
• Ability to prescribe safely within competence and seek senior advice appropriately.
• Good communication and teamworking skills.

Academic skills and lifelong learning
Essential

• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary community mental health setting.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Makes decisions based on evidence and experience including the contribution of others

Desirable

• Participated in research or service evaluation
• Able to use and appraise clinical evidence
• Has actively participated in clinical audit and quality improvement programmes
• Experienced in clinical research and / or service evaluation

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).

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).
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).