Alcohol Specialist Nurse

Job overview

To act, alongside the Band 7 Alcohol Care Team Manager, as a day-to-day expert for the Alcohol Care Team, working in collaboration with the multidisciplinary professionals both within and outside the Trust.

To act as an expert practitioner demonstrating and applying advanced skills and knowledge in the management of alcohol misuse.

To work closely with the Alcohol Care Team Manager and with the multidisciplinary professionals both within and outside the Trust to develop evidence-based practice in the Alcohol Care Team and to maintain clinical excellence thus promoting the delivery of quality care.

To Assist in the development of specialist protocols and the design and delivery of robust educational interventions that promote best practice in the management of patients experiencing, or at risk of alcohol-related ill health.

Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

Main duties of the job

• To promote the screening of patients attending the ED or admitted to the Trust for alcohol-related ill health
• To support individual patient management and treatment plans within the Outpatients clinics and ward setting
• To contribute to the development and maintenance of clinical care pathways linking secondary care with (1) primary care (2) other community settings.
• To work closely with Band 7 Alcohol Care Team Manager to run independent nurse led clinics, providing education, information and support for patients experiencing, or at risk of, alcohol-related ill health and their families.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

• Work without direct supervision to maintain appropriate working relationships with both internal and external healthcare agencies e.g., community alcohol services and GP practices
• Use validated screening tools to identify levels of health risk in relation to patients’ alcohol use and offer appropriate intervention/referral when necessary.
• Admit and discharge patients from caseload in liaison with Band 7
• Assess patient needs and plan appropriate specialist nursing care in an appropriate environment, in agreement with the individual patient and in liaison with Band 7
• Document and maintain accurate records in line with Caldicott guidelines
• Act in support of colleagues as a resource to improve the management of problem and dependent drinkers.
• Collaborate in the provision of advice and support to other health care professionals and external agencies including Primary Care Services, including social care and housing.
• Perform venepuncture
• Perform baseline observations
• Develop skills to take accurate alcohol histories

For further details of the role please see the attached job description.