Substance Misuse Nurse (B5-B6 Development Role)

Job overview

Would you like an opportunity to join our exciting and innovative Specialist Substance Misuse Service? I-access is seen as a forward thinking and innovative service. It has been a high performing service for many years and has remained in the NHS since it started over 3 decades ago. Quality standards are a high priority for the service and for Surrey County Council.

We are offering a Band 5/6 development opportunity as a Substance Misuse Nurse working. This post will be to work as part of our i-access Community Drug and Alcohol Service in NW Surrey.  This development post

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be proactive in reducing harm in line with the recovery agenda and advocate for service users in addressing their physical, mental health and social care needs.

We are looking for dynamic nurses who have genuine interest in and empathy for people with a drug and alcohol addiction. This post is for candidates who are comfortable travelling and working in a variety of settings. This post is based currently at Two Bridges, Chertsey. There is an expectation to deliver interventions and satellite clinics across  the surrounding area.

The post involves working as part of a Multidisciplinary Team providing 1:1 key work support and group work support for service users using both drugs and alcohol as part of their Recovery Treatment Plan. Experience in  working across divisional and organisational boundaries is an advantage. The role is varied and exciting.

The successful applicants will have excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as an understanding of problems faced by people with substance misuse issues. Experience of working within the substance misuse and/or mental health field is desirable.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Suitable for a nurse who is professional and dynamic, looking to develop within the substance misuse field. With a keen interest in substance misuse dependency, you will be able to work and act appropriately on own initiative and as part of a supportive multi-disciplinary team to deliver a high standard of evidence based clinical interventions. You will have a good understanding of the recovery agenda and be able to meet the needs of service users, establishing strong, professional supportive relationships.

• Developing strength-based recovery plans with individuals that are comprehensive, person-centred and individualised based on a clear assessment of the individual’s needs and circumstances.
• Manage a case load with some complex service users including Safeguarding Children/Adult, Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol issues providing 1:1 key working and group work according to the needs of the service.
• Ability to manage a caseload including diary management, record keeping, care planning and risk assessments.
• Ability to engage and manage service users with challenging behaviour.
• Referrals to other services where appropriate and joint working with partnership agencies.
• To be part of the i-access team and liaise with relevant professionals in delivering appropriate interventions including medical reviews, BBV interventions and community-based recovery support ie SMART / Fellowship and i-access group programme.
• To provide clinical care for service users with drug and alcohol dependency issues including Opiate Substitution Therapy (OST) and Alcohol Treatment Pathways in the community.
• To provide high quality substance misuse information, advice, support, liaison, treatment and signposting.
• To work closely with the MDT, service users, and supervisors to provide quality 1:1 interventions including assessments / joint assessments, advice, information and support working collaboratively with the team.