About this role
Job summary
We are looking for an experienced and motivated clinician to join DGS Health's growing Adult ADHD Service, delivering high-quality care through the NHS Right to Choose pathway.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a supportive multidisciplinary team, working alongside our Consultant Psychiatrist and experienced clinicians to provide timely, evidence-based care for adults with suspected or diagnosed ADHD. You will play a key role in supporting patients throughout their clinical journey while contributing to the ongoing development of an innovative and patient-centred service.
As part of our commitment to delivering outstanding care, you will help shape service improvement, maintain the highest standards of clinical governance and work in line with NICE guidance, NHS England standards and professional regulatory requirements.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will undertake comprehensive ADHD assessments, formulate diagnoses in line with NICE guidance, and provide high-quality, person-centred care throughout the patient's treatment journey. Depending on qualifications, you will initiate and manage ADHD medication, undertake medication titration and annual reviews, monitor physical health, and provide psychoeducation and ongoing support. You will work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, contribute to clinical governance and quality improvement, maintain accurate clinical records, and build effective relationships with GPs and other healthcare professionals to support safe and effective shared care arrangements.
About us
DGS Health is a GP Federation based in Gravesend, North Kent. We are comprised of 100% of local GP practices across Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley. We pride ourselves on being clinically led and managerially enabled and like to ensure we recruit people who share our ethos and culture. We are a small and friendly but growing organisation, employing over 33 people across a range of roles. Our services include urgent treatment services, paramedic home visiting, care home support and frailty nursing. We employ a diverse range of roles including Nurses, Administrators, Paramedics and GP's.
Job description Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Assessment
Undertake comprehensive ADHD assessments including:
Developmental history Psychiatric history Functional impairment assessment Mental State Examination Risk assessment Physical health assessment Differential diagnosis Assessment of co-existing mental health conditions Use validated assessment tools including:
DIVA-5 ADHD Rating Scales Informant questionnaires Other evidence-based assessment tools adopted by the service Produce comprehensive assessment reports for GP records.
Diagnosis
Work within agreed competency frameworks to:
Formulate diagnoses using DSM-5 and NICE NG87 criteria. Present complex cases within MDT. Discuss diagnoses with the Consultant Psychiatrist where required. Provide structured diagnostic feedback to patients. Explain diagnostic conclusions and treatment options.
Complex cases, diagnostic uncertainty or significant co-morbidity must be discussed with the Consultant Psychiatrist.
Medication Management
Where appropriately qualified (Independent Prescriber):
Initiate ADHD medication following Consultant-approved treatment plans. Prescribe within agreed clinical protocols. Monitor treatment response. Undertake medication titration. Review side effects. Adjust medication appropriately. Undertake annual medication reviews. Ensure safe prescribing of Controlled Drugs.
Where not an Independent Prescriber:
Implement Consultant-approved treatment plans. Prepare recommendations for prescribing. Monitor treatment response. Escalate prescribing decisions appropriately.
Physical Health Monitoring
Undertake and interpret:
Blood pressure Pulse Weight BMI Cardiovascular assessment Ongoing physical health monitoring during treatment Escalate abnormalities in accordance with service protocols.
Risk Assessment
Assess and manage:
Suicide risk Self-harm Safeguarding concerns Substance misuse Capacity and consent Risk associated with stimulant medication Escalate safeguarding concerns in accordance with DGS Health Safeguarding policy.
Patient Education
Provide evidence-based education regarding:
ADHD Medication Lifestyle management Sleep Occupational strategies Driving regulations where relevant Shared care arrangements Treatment expectations Support patients to participate in shared decision-making.
Shared Care
Support transfer of prescribing to General Practice through:
Preparation of shared care documentation. Communication with GPs. Clinical advice to Primary Care. Responding to GP queries. Ongoing specialist advice.
Annual Reviews
Undertake annual reviews including:
Symptom review Functional assessment Physical monitoring Medication effectiveness Side effects Treatment optimisation Provide written reports to General Practice.
Multidisciplinary Working
Participate in:
MDT meetings Consultant supervision Case discussions Clinical governance meetings Peer review Support integrated working across:
Primary Care Mental Health Services Community Services Social Care
Clinical Governance
Participate in:
Clinical audit Incident reporting Complaints investigation Quality improvement NICE compliance audits Service evaluation Maintain accurate clinical documentation.
Information Governance
Ensure compliance with:
UK GDPR Data Protection Act 2018 NHS Records Management Code Confidentiality Code of Practice Maintain high-quality clinical records.
Professional Responsibilities
Maintain registration with:
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Maintain professional competence through:
Continuing Professional Development Clinical supervision Reflective practice Mandatory training
Research and Quality Improvement
Participate in:
Service audits Clinical research where appropriate Quality improvement initiatives Service redesign Outcome measurement Leadership
Support junior clinicians by:
Providing advice Sharing expertise Participating in supervision
General Responsibilities
The post holder will:
Promote equality, diversity and inclusion. Maintain confidentiality. Comply with Health and Safety legislation. Support safeguarding. Promote patient-centred care. Act in accordance with professional codes of conduct.
Person Specification
Personal Attributes Essential
The post holder will demonstrate: Compassion Professional integrity Clinical curiosity Sound judgement Emotional resilience Respect for diversity Commitment to continuous learning Commitment to evidence-based practice Ability to work collaboratively Patient-centred approach
Qualifications Essential
Registered Nurse (Adult or Mental Health) with current NMC registration or Registered Paramedic with HCPC registration Degree in Nursing, Paramedicine or equivalent professional qualification Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
Independent/Supplementary Prescribing Qualification (V300) Postgraduate qualification in Advanced Clinical Practice or equivalent ADHD-specific postgraduate education or recognised specialist training
Experience Essential
Minimum of three years' post-registration experience in a relevant clinical setting. Experience assessing adults with neurodevelopmental or mental health conditions. Experience undertaking comprehensive clinical assessments. Experience completing mental state examinations and risk assessments. Experience of multidisciplinary team working. Experience producing detailed clinical reports. Experience communicating complex clinical information to patients and professionals.
Desirable
Experience working within an Adult ADHD service. Experience using DIVA-5 or equivalent ADHD diagnostic tools. Experience undertaking ADHD medication titration. Experience managing stimulant medication. Experience working within NHS Right to Choose pathways. Experience supporting shared care arrangements with General Practice. Experience of remote consultation delivery.
Skills and Knowledge Essential
Excellent understanding of NICE Guideline NG87. Knowledge of adult ADHD assessment and management. Understanding of differential diagnosis. Knowledge of safeguarding legislation. Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Understanding of UK GDPR and information governance. Knowledge of clinical governance principles. Understanding of evidence-based prescribing. Advanced clinical assessment skills. Excellent diagnostic reasoning. Ability to formulate complex clinical presentations. Excellent verbal and written communication. Strong organisational skills. Excellent documentation. Ability to work autonomously. Ability to prioritise workload. Competent IT skills, including electronic patient records. Ability to manage clinical risk.
Desirable
Knowledge of NHS England Right to Choose requirements. Knowledge of Controlled Drugs legislation. Understanding of the CQC Single Assessment Framework. Knowledge of DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for ADHD.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name DGS Health LTD
Address The Old Rectory
Springhead Road
Northfleet
Kent
DA11 8HN
United Kingdom