Medical Assessment Doctor - Armed Forces Recruitment

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.

Role Summary

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

Main duties and Responsibilities:

• 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.

Experience, Skills, and Knowledge Required for the Role:

• GMC-registered Doctor with a current licence to practise.
• Experience in general medical examinations, reviewing clinical histories and medical records.
• Understanding of functional assessment and occupational health principles.
• Excellent communication, clinical judgement and documentation skills.
• Confident using electronic medical record systems.
• Commitment to GMC appraisal, revalidation and CPD.

Desirable:

• Experience in occupational medicine, GP, emergency or military medicine.
• Knowledge of MOD medical standards or Armed Forces recruitment.
• Experience conducting structured medical assessments.

What Can We Offer You?

• 25 Days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays
• Buy and Sell Holiday Scheme
• Life Assurance
• Pension Scheme
• Health Cash Plan
• Volunteer Days
• YuLife Employee Benefits Platform
• Save As You Earn Scheme
• Eye Test Vouchers
• Flu Vaccination Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Clinical Training Academy
• Paid CPD Days
• Professional Registration Fees Paid
• RAVE Awards
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Right to Request Flexible Working From Day 1

About Us:

Optima Health is the UK's largest provider of Occupational Health and wellbeing services, supporting organisations across both the public and private sectors. With a heritage dating back to 1947, we have been helping employers create healthier, high-performing workplaces for generations, and we continue to evolve with innovative, practical solutions that make a real difference.

At the heart of our story are our people. We bring together like-minded professionals who are passionate about improving workplace health and wellbeing and delivering meaningful support to the organisations we work with across the UK.

When you join Optima Health, you become part of something bigger. We invest in our people/you through structured induction, ongoing training and tailored career development, helping you build the skills and experience to grow your career.

Together, we live our values:

One Team - There are no barriers in our business. We trust each other and work together as one team to deliver what our clients need. We all have a part to play in our future, and everyone's contribution is important and valued.

Doing the Right Thing - We operate to the highest standards. Success is underpinned by honesty and integrity, and by doing what we say we will do. We care about the impact of our work on our people, our clients, their employees, society, and the world we live in. Caring for our colleagues' wellbeing and respecting their time, energy and balance is fundamental to this value.

Shaping Tomorrow - We are always looking for ways to improve and innovate. We train, support and empower future leaders, invest in market-leading propositions and use technology to advance service and clinical outcomes. We evolve how we work - embracing smarter, more flexible approaches that help our people thrive both professionally and personally.

Never Too Big to Care - We always retain a client-first approach. Every client, and every one of their employees that we support, matters. We work in partnership to optimise workplace health and wellbeing, sharing in the benefits of growing together.

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