Visa Information
This position is eligible for certificate of sponsorship for international candidates who meet the required criteria. Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust welcomes applications from healthcare professionals who require sponsorship to work in the UK. However, applicants must verify their eligibility with the employer and confirm they meet both Trust requirements and UK Home Office visa requirements.
Job Overview
We are seeking a keen and enthusiastic Specialty Doctor to join our Specialist Mother and Baby Mental Health Service (SMABS) – 10 PAs. This is an excellent opportunity for international medical professionals looking to relocate to the UK and advance their careers in perinatal psychiatry. The position offers a competitive salary range of £61,542 to £99,216 per annum with full-time permanent employment.
About the Service
SMABS is a community perinatal mental health service commissioned by Bradford District Care Foundation Trust. Across our catchment area 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). This substantial caseload provides an excellent opportunity for professional development in this specialized field.
Service Referrals
SMABS accepts referrals from diverse sectors of the health service including midwives, health visitors, GPs, CPNs, Obstetricians, Psychologists, and Psychiatrists. We also accept referrals from social workers and voluntary sector professionals (after discussion with GP). While not all patients can be assessed face-to-face, our team provides specialist advice via email and detailed information leaflets when appropriate.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will contribute to the provision of a community perinatal psychiatric service for women with serious perinatal mental health problems who are pregnant or up to 1 year postpartum, or referred for preconception advice. You will provide expertise in bio-psycho-social assessment, formulation, diagnosis, and management of complex mental health needs in the perinatal period.
Clinical Duties
You will carry out assessments and clinical contacts in various settings, conduct comprehensive risk assessments, develop risk formulation and management plans, and work collaboratively and compassionately with women and their families. The role requires excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively and empathically with patients, carers, and relatives.
Team Collaboration
You will contribute to and work as part of a multidisciplinary team to ensure a comprehensive approach to patient care. The role involves working in close liaison with the regional inpatient Mother and Baby Unit, particularly regarding care planning and discharge planning, as well as collaborating with other parts of the General Adult Psychiatry Service and specialist services including CAMHS.
Our Values
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.
Benefits and Support
We offer a fantastic range of benefits to support our staff, including increased mileage rates for those traveling over 3,500 miles, a wide range of health and wellbeing support packages, and numerous internal and external development and learning opportunities. We are proud to support flexible working arrangements to help staff balance their work and home lives.
Our Commitment
We are proud to pledge our support to the Armed Forces and hold a Bronze Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust is dedicated to environmental and social sustainability through our Green Plan, and all staff are encouraged to participate in training and implement sustainable quality improvements.
Essential Qualifications
To be considered for this position, you must hold MB BS or equivalent medical qualification and be fully registered with the GMC with a license to practice at the time of appointment. You should have experience in General Adult Psychiatry or Perinatal, having completed at least four years full-time post-graduate training (or equivalent).
Clinical Experience Required
Essential requirements include experience and good knowledge in general adult psychiatry including working in community settings and other multidisciplinary settings. You must demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, high standards of oral and written communication skills in English, and good IT skills to record, retrieve, and review electronic records.
Desirable Qualifications
While not essential, additional post-graduate qualifications such as MD/PhD/MSc in relevant fields (e.g., psychological interventions) are desirable. Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists or equivalent qualification, in accordance with Royal College guidelines, is also considered advantageous.
Clinical Skills Requirements
Desirable experience includes working in perinatal community service, Mother and Baby Unit (MBU), or relevant areas such as infant mental health. Evidence of complex case management, risk assessment and management, and knowledge of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act would also be beneficial.
Professional Development
We value candidates with evidence of commitment to continuing professional development and clinical audits. The ability to use and appraise clinical evidence, develop services in collaboration with senior colleagues, and respond to feedback and learning is essential.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, please visit the NHS Jobs website and submit your application. When applying, ensure you clearly demonstrate how you meet the person specification criteria. For international candidates, we recommend including details of your GMC registration status and any relevant visa information in your application.
Application Checklist for International Candidates
Before applying, please verify your eligibility with the employer. International candidates should ensure they have or can obtain GMC registration, prepare evidence of their medical qualifications and experience, and confirm they meet UK visa requirements. The Trust provides sponsorship for registered healthcare practitioner roles only.
Contact Information
For questions about the job, please contact Lian Chua (Consultant Psychiatrist) at lian.chua@bdct.nhs.uk or call 01274494194. We welcome inquiries from international candidates regarding the application process and visa sponsorship opportunities.
Important Dates
The closing date for applications is 11 January 2026. Shortlisting will take place week commencing 12 January 2026, with interviews scheduled for late January/early February 2026. Please ensure you submit your application well before the deadline to allow sufficient processing time.
Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of race, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or age. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from international healthcare professionals who can bring diverse perspectives to our team.
Further Information
For more information about Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust and our current vacancies, please visit our website at https://www.bdct.nhs.uk/current-vacancies/. We encourage interested candidates to review our About Us document and Job Description and Person Specification available as supporting documents.