Tobacco Dependency Advisor

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Tobacco Dependency Advisor to join our Tobacco Dependency Treatment Service across the Trust.

We are looking to recruit to a Band 3 Tobacco Dependency Advisor post. The successful candidate will be based at either Durham (Lanchester Road Hospital) or Darlington (West Park Hospital) This is a full or part-time permanent position, and the successful applicant will have the opportunity to work flexibly between the hours of 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday each week.

You will engage regularly with patients to offer advice, support, and treatment options. There will be a requirement to travel locally in some of the directorates as part of this role.

The Advisor must have extensive experience of working within a mental health setting and prior experience of smoking cessation support would be an advantage, but not essential as full training will be provided.

It is essential for this role that you will be fully supportive of the Trusts smokefree policy, acting as a smokefree champion as part of your work.

You must have the Right to Work in the UK in order to be successfully appointed to this role. Please note, this role does not meet the required eligibility criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa and therefore the Trust is unable to offer sponsorship for this particular role

Main duties of the job

Support the assessment, development and implementation of treatment plans for patients identified as smokers throughout the treatment period whilst providing behavioural and motivational support.

Work with patients on a one to one or group basis where appropriate to assess and agree a treatment and support plan to meet their individual requirements.

Assessment and subsequent support may take place in a range of venues including a patients own home.

Report to the relevant tobacco dependency lead nurse on interventions and outcomes on a regular basis.

Ensure that the service adopts a Making Every Contact Count (MECC) approach in contacts with patients

Develop and maintain relationships with individuals and their families to educate, facilitate and promote change, also identifying and managing any risks related to patient care.

Facilitate any transfer of care into Community Stop Smoking Services (CSSS) provision, such as Local Authority CSSS or primary care including GP or Pharmacy services.

Offer therapeutic and supportive interventions to support a quit attempt whilst maintaining patient confidentiality.

Take and record patients carbon monoxide monitor readings and practice safely within infection, prevention, and control measures.

Advise patients on the use of stop smoking pharmacotherapy, including NRT and E-cigarettes.

Contribute to the long-term development of the onsite tobacco dependency treatment service.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The successful candidate must have Basic Maths and English skills (minimum Functional Level 2) and NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent to be recruited into this position on Band 3.

Previous experience of working with people with mental/social health needs or learning disabilities is essential to the role. Applicants must have worked within Mental Health/Learning Disability services for an extensive time and have a passion for improving both the physical and mental health of patients in our care.

As a Tobacco Dependency Advisor, you will be based in one of the Trust main hospital sites and be responsible for supporting patients identified as using tobacco products to maintain a smokefree status during an admission.

Knowledge of the smokefree agenda is desirable but not essential as full training and support will be provided to the successful candidate to ensure they achieve all levels of training required to fulfil the role.

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.