Senior Clinical Specialist CAMHS Jobs in Hartlepool – Band 8a

Are you an experienced Independent Non-Medical Prescriber with a strong background in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and specialist expertise in ADHD assessment and treatment? A rewarding opportunity is available to join the Getting More Help Team in Hartlepool as a Senior Clinical Specialist with Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust.

This permanent Band 8a position is designed for an experienced clinical professional who can provide advanced clinical leadership, make complex prescribing decisions and deliver high-quality mental health care to children and young people. The successful candidate will play an important role in ADHD assessment, medication management, clinical supervision and the ongoing development of prescribing practice across the service.

Job Overview

Job Title	Senior Clinical Specialist – CAMHS
Employer	Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
Department	Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
Job Reference	346-TSC-029-26-A
Pay Band	Band 8a
Salary	£57,528 to £64,750 per year
Contract	Permanent
Working Pattern	Full-time, flexible working and compressed hours
Location	Dover House, Lynn Street, Hartlepool, TS24 7JZ, United Kingdom
Date Posted	29 October 2026
Closing Date	Check the official vacancy listing for the current deadline.
Visa Sponsorship	Skilled Worker sponsorship may be available to eligible applicants.

About the Role

The Hartlepool CAMHS Getting More Help Team is looking for a highly experienced clinical specialist who can work confidently with children and young people experiencing complex mental health difficulties. The successful applicant will combine advanced independent prescribing skills with clinical leadership and a commitment to safe, compassionate and evidence-based care.

A major focus of the position is the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in children and young people. You will independently initiate, adjust and review ADHD medication while ensuring that appropriate physical health assessments, clinical observations and ongoing monitoring are completed.

You will also manage complex mental health presentations, undertake comprehensive risk assessments and help determine the most appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Where additional medical investigations or specialist advice are needed, you will recognise this and ensure that patients receive appropriate support.

Alongside your clinical responsibilities, you will support colleagues, supervise developing prescribers and contribute to service improvement, clinical governance and professional development throughout CAMHS.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out comprehensive biopsychosocial and mental health assessments for children and young people with complex needs.
• Independently assess, diagnose, initiate, titrate and review ADHD medication within your professional competence and prescribing authority.
• Conduct physical health assessments, including blood pressure, pulse, height, weight and other relevant physiological observations.
• Monitor treatment effectiveness, identify potential adverse effects and make appropriate prescribing decisions.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medications, medicines optimisation and shared-care arrangements.
• Lead the assessment and management of complex mental health presentations and high-risk clinical cases.
• Develop appropriate clinical risk formulations and determine when further medical assessment, investigations or specialist advice are required.
• Provide specialist clinical advice and consultation to multidisciplinary colleagues, children, young people and their families.
• Offer professional supervision, guidance and support to qualified nurses and trainee Non-Medical Prescribers.
• Contribute to clinical audits, quality improvement initiatives, prescribing governance and service development.
• Support workforce development and promote safe, effective and evidence-based prescribing practice.
• Contribute to strategic decision-making and deputise for the NMP Lead within the speciality when required.

Essential Qualifications and Professional Registration

Applicants must meet the essential professional and educational requirements for this advanced clinical position. These include:

• Current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in an eligible professional field, such as RMN, RNLD or RGN, subject to the specific requirements of the vacancy.
• A recognised qualification as an Independent Non-Medical Prescriber.
• Evidence of prescribing competence equivalent to the Trust's Level 3 Non-Medical Prescriber standard.
• Recognition as a Practice Assessor or Practice Supervisor.
• Training and experience in clinical supervision.
• Completion of a recognised or accredited leadership development programme.
• A relevant master's degree or an accepted Level 7 therapeutic qualification, certificate, registration or module meeting the requirements outlined in the person specification.
• At least two years of Clinical Specialist, Band 7 or equivalent senior nursing experience.

Applicants should review the official person specification carefully to confirm that their qualifications and professional registration meet the employer's requirements.

Experience and Skills Required

This role requires substantial clinical experience and the ability to work autonomously in challenging situations. The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate:

• Extensive experience working in CAMHS or an appropriate specialist mental health setting.
• Strong expertise in ADHD assessment, diagnosis, treatment and medication management.
• At least three years of active prescribing experience for the Trust's Level 3 NMP/DPP expectations.
• Current Band 7 or higher experience, or an appropriate equivalent for applicants from outside the Trust.
• Experience supervising student Non-Medical Prescribers and supporting qualified and trainee prescribers.
• Advanced clinical assessment, decision-making and risk management skills.
• Experience working with children and young people with complex needs and risk-related behaviours.
• Knowledge of clinical governance, medicines management, safeguarding and relevant mental health legislation.
• Experience working collaboratively with families, carers and multidisciplinary teams.
• Participation in clinical audits, research or quality improvement activities.
• Experience designing and delivering education or training for patients, carers and healthcare professionals.

Applicants from other NHS organisations must be able to demonstrate competencies equivalent to the Trust's Level 3 Non-Medical Prescriber and Designated Prescribing Practitioner expectations.

Clinical Leadership and Professional Development

As a senior clinical specialist, you will be expected to contribute beyond your own clinical caseload. The role includes supporting improvements in service delivery, strengthening prescribing governance and helping develop future generations of clinical prescribers.

You will work with colleagues across CAMHS and other Trust services to improve patient pathways, promote consistent standards of care and support evidence-based decision-making. The position also requires an understanding of wider service priorities and the ability to contribute to local and strategic improvement initiatives.

Evidence of meeting the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Designated Prescribing Practitioner Competency Framework expectations will be important during the recruitment process. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate clinical credibility, advanced prescribing judgement, effective supervision and a commitment to maintaining safe prescribing standards.

About Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health and learning disability services across County Durham, Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

The Trust works with patients, families, carers, communities and partner organisations to deliver compassionate and person-centred care. Its services cover a broad range of needs, from education and prevention to crisis intervention and specialist treatment.

By promoting recovery, listening to patients and developing partnerships with local communities, the organisation aims to improve mental health outcomes and ensure that people receive the support they need.

For further information about the organisation and its services, visit the official Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust website.

UK Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship

The original vacancy information states that this role may be eligible for sponsorship through the UK Skilled Worker route. Applications from candidates who require sponsorship are welcome, but eligibility and sponsorship availability depend on the applicable immigration rules and the employer's assessment.

International applicants should review the official UK Skilled Worker visa guidance to understand the eligibility criteria, sponsorship requirements and application process.

Applicants should also check the relevant professional registration requirements before applying. This is a specialist clinical role, and candidates must hold the required UK professional registration and meet the employer's prescribing competency standards.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

The appointment is subject to the applicable Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) requirements. Successful applicants will need to complete the relevant criminal record checking process in accordance with the requirements for the position.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should review the complete job description and person specification before submitting an application. Your application should clearly demonstrate your CAMHS experience, ADHD prescribing expertise, professional registration, clinical leadership abilities and experience supporting other prescribers.

As the vacancy may close early if a high number of applications are received, prospective applicants should check the official recruitment listing and apply promptly if they meet the essential criteria.

For official recruitment information, visit the Trust's website and locate the relevant vacancy using job reference 346-TSC-029-26-A.

Important Information for Applicants

The salary, job reference, location and employment details in this article are based on the vacancy information supplied. The closing date was not included in the supplied advert, so applicants should confirm whether the position remains open before applying. Visa sponsorship is not guaranteed and depends on the employer's decision and the applicant's eligibility.