Clinical Specialist - Autism Assessor

An exciting opportunity has become available within the Durham and Tees Valley (DTV) Adult Autism Team for a Clinical Nurse Specialist to join our well-established and supportive service.

The successful applicant will demonstrate a detailed understanding of Autism, alongside a working knowledge of ADHD, and will take on a key assessing role within the team, completing autism assessments in collaboration with the wider MDT. They will contribute to clinical diagnostic decision-making, organise and lead MDT discussions, and ensure high clinical standards are maintained across all aspects of care.

The post holder will follow NICE-guidance approaches when completing autism assessments, taking into consideration and understanding of co-occurring mental health difficulties to support specialist diagnostic decision-making. They will be expected to communicate in a neuroaffirming and inclusive manner, supporting both staff and autistic adults.

This role covers the Durham and Tees Valley area, providing consultation to community teams, supporting complex cases, and delivering autism diagnostic training. Existing skills and experience in autism assessment are desirable, as teaching and sharing expertise with wider teams will form a key part of the role.

Main duties of the job

The successful postholder will undertake comprehensive assessments for autism in line with NICE guidance and clinic protocols, complete detailed clinical histories, including developmental, mental health, and risk assessments. You will use standardised assessment tools and diagnostic frameworks to inform clinical decision-making.

You will assess for co-existing conditions, including mental health difficulties, substance misuse, and other neurodevelopmental differences. You will identify and respond to safeguarding concerns in line with policy and statutory requirements.

The post holder will formulate diagnostic outcomes and provide clear, evidence-based rationales for decisions and communicate assessment outcomes to patients in a clear, sensitive, and supportive manner. You will produce high-quality clinical reports within agreed timeframes that meet professional and regulatory standards, contribute to multidisciplinary team discussions and decision-making where required and refer or signpost patients to appropriate services, including post-diagnostic support and treatment pathways.

You will maintain accurate, timely, and confidential clinical records in line with data-protection requirements. In addition, you will work in line with CQC standards, clinical governance frameworks, and organisational policies.

We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care --our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.

We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.