Specialty Doctor in Perinatal Psychiatry

Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust; Bradford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare trust in the UK is seeking a Specialty Doctor in Perinatal Psychiatry to join their Specialist Mother and Baby Mental Health Service. The role involves providing psychiatric services to women facing serious mental health challenges during and after pregnancy. Candidates must hold an MB BS or equivalent qualification, be registered with the GMC, and have experience in general or perinatal psychiatry. The position offers a supportive multidisciplinary environment and is integral to women's health services in the community.

Benefits

Increase mileage rates for > 3500

Health and wellbeing support packages

Internal and external development opportunities

Qualifications

• Must have GMC license and a visa to work in the UK.
• Experience in perinatal or general psychiatry is essential.
• Ability to manage clinical complexity and uncertainty.

Responsibilities

• Provide community perinatal psychiatric service to women with serious mental health problems.
• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team for comprehensive care.
• Deliver expertise in bio-psycho-social assessment.

Skills

Experience in General Adult Psychiatry

Excellent interpersonal skills

Compassionate approach

Knowledge of the Mental Health Act

Proficiency in another language

Education

MB BS or equivalent medical qualification

Fully registered with the GMC

Postgraduate qualification MD/PhD/MSc

Job description

Specialty Doctor in Perinatal Psychiatry

Closing date is 11 January 2026

We are looking for an enthusiastic Specialty Doctor to join our Specialist Mother and Baby Mental Health Service (SMABS) – 10 PAs.

SMABS is a community perinatal mental health service commissioned by Bradford District Care Foundation Trust. Across the catchment of Bradford, Airedale and Craven there are approximately 8,000 live births per year, with the main maternity hospital sites being Bradford (6,000 births) and Airedale (2,000 births).

SMABS accepts referrals from any sector of the health service, including midwives, health visitors, GPs, CPNs, Obstetricians, Psychologists and Psychiatrists, as well as social workers and voluntary sector workers (after discussion with GP). Not all patients referred can be assessed face‑to‑face, but if this is not offered the team will provide the referrer with specialist advice via e‑mail and detailed information leaflets where indicated.

Come and create the future with us!

Closing date: 11th January 2026

Shortlisting W/C 12th January 2026

Interviews: Late January/Early February 2026

Main duties of the job

• Provide a community perinatal psychiatric service within the defined catchment area to women with serious perinatal mental health problems, who are pregnant, up to one year postpartum, or referred for preconception advice.
• Deliver expertise in bio‑psycho‑social assessment, formulation, diagnosis and management of complex mental health needs in the perinatal period across a variety of settings, including comprehensive risk assessment, risk formulation and management plans. Work collaboratively and compassionately with women and their families.
• Contribute to and work as part of the multidisciplinary team to ensure comprehensive patient care.
• Work closely with the regional inpatient Mother and Baby Unit, especially for care planning and discharge planning.
• Collaborate with other parts of the General Adult Psychiatry Service and other specialist services (including CAMHS) and partner services.

About us

Everything we do is underpinned by our core values:

• We Care - We act with respect and empathy, and always value difference
• We Listen - We understand people's views and respond to their individual needs
• We Deliver - We develop and provide excellent services and support our partners

We offer flexible working arrangements to enable staff to balance work and home life and provide a range of benefits, including:

• Increase mileage rates for > 3500
• A wide range of health and wellbeing support packages
• A range of internal and external development and learning opportunities
• Plus many more.

We are proud to support the Armed Forces and hold a Bronze Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

BDCFT is dedicated to environmental and social sustainability by delivering on the commitments within our Green Plan. All staff are encouraged to participate in training and to implement sustainable quality improvement across all service areas and activities.

The Trust reserves the right to close this position early if a significant number of applications are received.

Job responsibilities

Please read the attached Job description and person specification for more details about this role.

Right to Work in the UK

Applicants must have a visa to work in the UK; the Trust provides sponsorship only for registered healthcare practitioner roles. This is an essential requirement. If you cannot meet Trust sponsorship or Home Office visa requirements, the role cannot be offered.

Prior to appointment you will confirm your right to work and reside in the UK. During employment you must notify your manager immediately of any changes to your status.

Regrettably, if the role is not eligible for sponsorship, the Trust cannot extend your employment beyond the current visa. The Trust is not responsible for ensuring employment continues after the visa expires.

As a condition of continuous employment, you must maintain legal right to work in the UK throughout your tenure with Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust (BDCFT). Any change in right‑to‑work status may impact your eligibility and, if not reported promptly, may result in termination.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Eligibility

• MB BS or equivalent medical qualification
• Fully registered with the GMC with a license to practice at appointment
• Experience in General Adult Psychiatry or Perinatal, having completed at least four years full‑time postgraduate training (or equivalent)
• Approved clinician status under S12 or ability to achieve within 3 months of appointment
• Additional postgraduate qualification MD/PhD/MSc in relevant fields (e.g., psychological interventions)
• Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists or equivalent qualification (per Royal College guidelines)
• Good standing with the GMC regarding warnings and conditions on practice

Clinical Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Experience and solid knowledge of general adult psychiatry, including community and multidisciplinary settings.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to communicate effectively and empathically with patients, carers and relatives.
• Clear communication with patients and team members.
• Compassionate, holistic approach to caring for mother, infant and family.
• Ability to manage clinical complexity and uncertainty.
• Evidence‑based decision making, incorporating contributions from others.
• Full responsibility for independent patient management.
• High standard of oral and written communication in English.
• Good IT skills for electronic record management.
• Experience in perinatal community service or MBU or related area (e.g., infant mental health).
• Experience across psychiatric specialities and sub‑specialities, including community and other NHS or comparable services.
• Evidence of complex case management.
• Evidence of risk assessment and management.
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act.
• Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act.
• Proficiency in another language.

Academic Skills & Learning

• Teamwork across multidisciplinary settings.
• Treats colleagues, patients and relatives with dignity and respect; inspires hope, supports recovery and makes a difference.
• Clinical teaching capabilities.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and clinical audits.
• Skillful use and appraisal of clinical evidence.
• Service development in collaboration with senior colleagues, responding to feedback and achieving relevant targets.
• Strong liaison and negotiation skills.
• Experience planning and delivering teaching to medical students, trainees and other clinical staff.
• Audit experience leading to practice change.
• Reflective practice, supervision or experience in Balint groups, aware of the emotional nature of the work and its impact on care and compassion.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, requiring a Disclosure submission to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) to check for previous convictions.

Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust