Addiction Team Lead Nurse

Job overview

Previous applicants need not apply

The Addiction Lead Nurse is responsible for leading and developing the Trust’s Integrated Addiction Service, including managing a team of Addiction practitioners. The role focuses on delivering high-quality, evidence-based care for patients experiencing addiction / dependency related issues, while working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams across the Trust and community services.

Key responsibilities include running nurse-led clinics, assessing and managing patient care, supporting safe withdrawal practices, and promoting pathways that reduce unnecessary hospital admissions. The post holder also leads on education and training, develops clinical protocols, and ensures compliance with best practice through audit and service evaluation.

As a senior clinical leader, the role involves staff management, service improvement, safeguarding responsibilities, and non-medical prescribing. The Addiction Lead Nurse acts as a role model, contributes to research and quality improvement, and ensures services are patient-centred, effective, and aligned with organisational standards.

Main duties of the job

• Lead and develop the Integrated Addiction Service
• Manage and supervise the alcohol practitioner team
• Plan staffing and ensure effective use of resources
• Develop policies, protocols, and clinical pathways
• Run nurse-led clinics (e.g. Fibroscanning)
• Assess, plan, and deliver care for patients with alcohol-related illness
• Work closely with multidisciplinary teams across the Trust
• Liaise with community alcohol services and make referrals
• Build effective internal and external professional networks
• Identify staff training needs and deliver education programmes
• Act as a clinical role model and mentor
• Conduct clinical audits and monitor service performance
• Use evidence and feedback to improve services
• Support research and best practice in alcohol care
• Ensure compliance with legal, professional, and safeguarding standards
• Support patients and families with complex needs
• Aim to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Addiction Lead Nurse leads and develops the Trust’s Integrated Addiction Service, managing a team of practitioners and delivering high-quality, evidence-based care for patients with substance-related conditions. The role includes running nurse-led clinics, assessing and managing patient care, and supporting safe withdrawal practices. Key duties involve collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, liaison with community services, and development of clinical pathways to reduce hospital admissions. The post holder provides staff training, conducts audits, and drives service improvement. Additional responsibilities include safeguarding vulnerable adults, non-medical prescribing, and ensuring compliance with professional, legal, and organisational standards while promoting patient-centred care.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.