Job description
Learn about the role, responsibilities and what the employer is looking for.
The Liaison Psychiatry Service at the RNOH is unique within the NHS as the only psychiatric service specific to people with musculoskeletal problems, delivering on three major areas of care: spinal cord injury rehabilitation, persistent pain disorders and complex orthopaedics. Physician Associates will undertake duties commensurate with their training and experience. These duties will include:
• New patient assessments
• Ward work covering inpatients and discharge documentation
• Out-patient clinic work
• Teaching and training as part of the established multidisciplinary teaching programme for staff
In all these duties the PA will be integrated within our psychiatric team. The work will cover sessions in ward and outpatient work
1. Take part in all of the treatment and preventative healthcare services of the employing facility as and when requested, and work within the policies and procedures of the organisation.
2. Undertake a weekly Rapid Access Psychiatry Clinic under the supervision of the Consultant Psychiatrist.
3. Support the clinical triage of patients scoring above the agreed threshold through information gathering and completion of orders to facilitate assessment within the Rapid Access Psychiatry Clinic.
4. Practice under the supervision of a Consultant in Liaison Psychiatry and other medically qualified staff.
5. Take patient histories and perform mental state examinations of a patient. Record or dictate the history and examination in the medical record.
6. Order and interpret investigations and interventions as appropriate.
7. Discriminate between normal and abnormal emotional reactions to recognise early stages of serious emotional or mental health problems in the patients.
8. Establish differential diagnosis, make appropriate treatment plans and initiate treatment.
9. Undertake full psychiatric (and risk) assessments
10. Carry out physical assessments and procedures
11. Liaise with other services
12. Carry caseloads under supervision
13. Prepare reports and discharge summaries
At the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH), we are committed to achieving the best staff experience in the NHS. In the 2023 NHS Staff Survey, we proudly:
• Scored above the national average for the People Promises: "We are recognised and rewarded," "We are always learning," "We work flexibly," "We are a team," and for staff engagement.
• Ranked #1 among all Trusts in North and Central London for all People Promises and themes.
• Ranked #1 among all Acute Specialist Trusts for "We work flexibly."
At RNOH, we’re committed to being actively anti-discriminatory and actively inclusive. We recognise our brilliant people do brilliant work, and we offer rewarding careers, no matter what their background. We continue to strive to break down barriers to be the Trust where people come together because what they do matters, makes a difference and where they can thrive.
Joining our organisation means enjoying a wide range of staff benefits, including:
• 24/7 access to wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme.
• A Rewards & Recognition platform, offering opportunities to thank colleagues, send gifts, and access exclusive discounts.
• A dedicated Staff Wellbeing Hub, providing a space to relax and recharge away from the work environment.
• Salary sacrifice schemes for transport (season ticket loans, car and bike), electrical goods, and childcare
At RNOH, we are more than a workplace—we are committed to patients, to excellence and the wellbeing of our staff.
1. Take part in all of the treatment and preventative healthcare services of the employing facility as and when requested, and work within the policies and procedures of the organisation.
2. Undertake a weekly Rapid Access Psychiatry Clinic under the supervision of the Consultant Psychiatrist.
3. Support the clinical triage of patients scoring above the agreed threshold through information gathering and completion of orders to facilitate assessment within the Rapid Access Psychiatry Clinic.
4. Practice under the supervision of a Consultant in Liaison Psychiatry and other medically qualified staff.
5. Take patient histories and perform mental state examinations of a patient. Record or dictate the history and examination in the medical record.
6. Order and interpret investigations and interventions as appropriate.
7. Discriminate between normal and abnormal emotional reactions to recognise early stages of serious emotional or mental health problems in the patients.
8. Establish differential diagnosis, make appropriate treatment plans and initiate treatment.
9. Undertake full psychiatric (and risk) assessments
10. Carry out physical assessments and procedures
11. Liaise with other services
12. Carry caseloads under supervision
13. Prepare reports and discharge summaries
This advert closes on Tuesday 27 Oct 2026