Medical Assessment Doctor - Armed Forces

Job Title:

Medical Doctor - Armed Forces Recruitment
Salary: £80,000 per annum based on full time equivalent
Contract Type:
Permanent

Hours:

Full Time, 37 hours per week/Part Time minimum 2 days per week
Working hours between 8am to 6pm with 7,5 hours per day.

Right to live and work in the UK without any restrictions is required for this role.
Successful candidates will be required to undergo BPSS security clearance.

A new, combined Armed Forces Recruitment Service (AFRS) will launch in 2027,replacing the individual schemes run by the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force.

Optima Health is proud to partner with the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) in providing critical recruitment services for the UK's Armed Forces. For the first time, this new approach will see the Royal Navy, the British Army, and the Royal Air Force have a joint Armed Forces Recruitment Service (AFRS). This service will be delivered through a partnership of the MOD, Serco, and our consortium of partners, providing end-to-end support from candidate attraction, medical screening through to assessment, onboarding, and preparation for attending Phase 1 training.

Optima Health Medical Assessments will conduct the new Tri
- Service medical assessment bringing the Army, Navy and RAF processes into one, a single medical process for entry to all three services. As a Medical Doctor, you will assess candidates through comprehensive one-to-one clinical assessment and examinations. This role sits within a new, unified service that brings all three together: one clinically led assessment, one medical pass, and a candidate who on successful completion can be determined fit as meeting general Tri Service entry medical standards in accordance with JSP 950 Leaflet 6-7-7 (Joint Service Manual of Medical Fitness)

Each candidate assessment takes around 2 hours, an hour having the candidate undertake biometric screening following by 1 hour with a doctor. The clinical assessment includes a review of the pre-screened candidate's medical records, and a comprehensive physical examination. The role requires confident ECG interpretation, clinical decision-making within defined limits as set out by the Armed Forces, and escalation of complex cases to the lead doctor via a triage system.

It also includes casework, for example, requesting and progressing further specialist opinions (e.g. cardiology, orthopaedics) with input from the Single Service Occupational Health Specialists. Doctors will be expected to engage in audit to support our governance, revalidation, and appraisal processes. The expected workload is six assessments per day, plus occasional phlebotomy as part of candidate care. With additional time set aside for scrutiny of cases, reviewing additional medical evidence and follow-up on candidate cases.

The role also offers career development support, with potential access to training opportunities such as relevant diplomas.

You will work as part of a multidisciplinary medical assessment team supporting the Armed Forces and the Nation by applying sound clinical judgement to ensure assessments are consistent, fair and in line with MOD standards and Joint Service Publications.

We currently have opportunities available in:

• Plymouth
• Havant
• Bristol
• Cardiff
• Woking
• London
  - Newham / Stratford
• London
  - Old Street
• Birmingham
• Leicester
• Norwich
• Manchester
• Leeds
• Glasgow
• Newcastle
• Edinburgh

• Conduct comprehensive Pre-Service Medical Assessments (PSMA) in line with MOD guidelines and JSP 950 (Please see the link below for reference).
• Assess candidates' physical and mental fitness for Entry into Armed Forces Phase 1 Training.
• Review medical histories, records and supporting evidence, referring complex cases when required.
• Make clear, fair and evidence-based clinical decisions on candidate fitness.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical records and reports.
• Communicate assessment outcomes clearly and sensitively to candidates.
• Work collaboratively with Lead Doctors, clinical and administrative teams.
• Maintain knowledge of MOD medical standards, GMC Good Medical Practice and clinical governance.
• Participate in audit, CPD, mandatory training and quality improvement activities.
• Follow all safeguarding, infection control, data protection and health & safety requirements.
• Escalate complex or borderline cases appropriately and support continuous improvement.

• GMC-registered Doctor with a current licence to practise.
• Experience in…