About this role
Job summary
Come and be at the Heart of our Community.
Have you got exceptional clinical skills to support children and young people in West Hertfordshire?
HCT are advertising for a Specialty Doctor in Community Paediatrics.
We are looking for a dynamic and patient focused medical professional to join our multidisciplinary team at Hertfordshire Community Trust. Children's Services within West Hertfordshire provide services to the child population in Watford, St Albans, Hemel Hempstead and the surrounding areas.
This is a 10 programme activity post with Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust (HCT). The Trust is based across three centres; Peace Children's Centre, Watford, St Albans Health & Wellbeing Centre, St Albans and Marlowe's Health & Wellbeing Centre, Hemel Hempstead. The post holder will be based at one of the three centres but will provide service to children living in the West Herts areas. All centres have excellent facilities and hosts several disciplines.
There are close working relationships with both Acute Paediatrics Services and CAMHS. There are strong links with Hertfordshire County Council, Social Services and Education Department.
We welcome informal visits to our friendly team in Watford, St Albans & Hemel Hempstead.
*Proposed interview date: 26th June 2026*
Main duties of the job
The post holder is expected to carry out the duties outlined below. The job description will be subject to review in the light of changing needs of the population.
To be responsible for provision of medical services to school aged children in Watford, St Albans and Hemel Hempstead. There are schools for children with moderate learning difficulties, emotional and behavioural difficulties and a speech and language unit attached to a mainstream school. Duties include medical assessment of children, and advice for special educational needs for education and health care plan (EHCP) as per the new SEND code of practice. Pre-school age and school age child development work, including assessment of autism, and where appropriate participation in multi-disciplinary work. Adoption and fostering medical work for West Hertfordshire where relevant. This includes the assessment of children for Initial Health Assessments (IHA) of looked after children. Most of the review health assessments are done by health visitors or school nurses except in cases with complex medical needs and children who are already under the care of Community Paediatrics. Support will be provided by consultants & the named doctor for looked after children. Assessment and management of children suspected of ADHD when this service is commissioned. This service is currently delivered by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), appropriate training can be offered if needed.
About us
A big thank you for considering joining us at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust.
You'll find it a great place to work with many benefits offered to you as a member of our staff.
We put our patients, their families and carer's at the centre of our vision - Outstanding Services and Healthier Communities.
Our staff are proud to be Innovative, Caring and Agile in their work to help achieve the Trust vision.
We welcome diversity in our workforce and are interested in applicants from all backgrounds and ages.
We don't want you to miss out so we'd like you to know that if we have a high level of interest in this role, the vacancy may close prior to the advertised closing date, so please make your application as soon as possible.
Apply now.
You've made a great decision to apply to join HCT - we're looking forward to taking the next steps of the journey with you.
In return, we can offer you:
Clinical supervision Generous contributory pension 5/6 weeks annual leave depending on service Special Leave for family and personal reasons NHS Car Lease Scheme Eye Care Vouchers Employee Assistance Programme NHS Discounts
Job description Job responsibilities
The post holder is expected to assist the consultant paediatrician assessing children referred for safeguarding medicals and attending case conferences, advise Social Services over investigations, with appropriate professional support from the relevant consultants. Attending safeguarding meetings where appropriate and monthly safeguarding peer reviews. All staff are expected to have level 3 safeguarding training and have yearly updates. If the postholder has appropriate experience and training, the post holder is expected to undertake standardised developmental assessment using Griffiths developmental scale or similar standardised tools. If not already trained, the postholder will be expected to undertake this training. Contribute to regular training of specialist Registrars, foundation year 2 trainee, medical students, health visitors and school nurses.Undertake and to contribute to audits within the department. The postholder is expected to attend and contribute to quarterly departmental study day, journal clubs and clinical supervision meetings. For full details, please see attached JD .
Whilst it is not a legal requirement, Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust encourages and supports all staff to be vaccinated as this remains the best line of defense against COVID-19.
The use of AI is monitored and if you have used it then you are required to declare this, as well as what type of AI tools you have used and for what purpose. We reserve the right to further test your individual knowledge and skills in relation to the requirements for the post through robust and thorough interview and assessment.
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications Essential
Basic medical qualification e.g., MBBS GMC full registration with a license to practice.
Experience & Knowledge Essential
Strong full-time postgraduate training (or its equivalent gained on a part-time or flexible basis). Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team Working knowledge of basic paediatric experience. Competency in assessing paediatric patients
Desirable
Experienced practitioner of community paediatrics. Further paediatric experience, DCH or equivalent
Skills and abilities Essential
Excellent oral and written communication skills IT skills- competency in use of basic IT programmes such as window etc Good organisational skills Able to work as a member of an MDT Adaptable to situations, can handle people of all capabilities and attitudes Commitment to team working and respect and consideration for the skills of others High standards of professional probity
Desirable
Confident in using SystmOne Working knowledge of the education act 2014
Driving Essential
Hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010)
Personal Qualities Essential
Willingness to uphold Trust's values Able to travel to meet the requirements of the post and cover the other units where required. Openness, flexibility, clarity of independent clinical decision making.
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).
Employer details Employer name Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust
Address Peace Children's Centre
Peace Prospect
Watford
WD17 3EW
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.hct.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)