Community Nurse in Addictions

Community Nurse in Addictions

Job description

Job overview

We are looking for enthusiastic, motivated, caring and creative people to come and join us and work within an exciting and fast paced environment that provides high quality addictions and recovery care to a diverse service user group.

We are looking to recruit an experienced Band 6 nurse to be a core member of the multi-disciplinary team, participating in the provision of on-going assessments, care planning, treatment and support of people with drug and alcohol issues to promote health, independence and recovery.

Main duties of the job

To discharge professional responsibilities under the Mental Health Act (1983) and revised subsequent act Mental Capacity Act (2005)





and the NMC Professional Code of Conduct and SLaM commitments.

Be accountable and responsible for a defined caseload that reflects the priorities of the local population and carry responsibility for the assessment of care needs;

under the supervision of the Clinical Lead.

To develop, implement and evaluate evidence based programmes of care; set standards of care and liaise with other agencies.

Working for our organisation

Richmond and Wandsworth Community Drug and Alcohol Service (RCDAS / WCDAS) is part of the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM), within the Addictions Clinical Academic Group.

The Trust provides recognised high quality learning and development opportunities as well as offering the chance to be involved in research projects through the Institute of Psychiatry and globally respected Addictions Department.

This is a Consortium partnership comprised of We Are With You, St. Mungos, CDARS (Community Drug and Alcohol Services) and the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM),





with SLaM being the lead agency in this model.

This is a cross borough contract since 1st April 2020 with shared leadership and specialist roles as well as local core services.

WCDAS and RCDAS provide an excellent and first class range of drug and alcohol treatment options to residents of the two Boroughs.

Our services are busy and dynamic, with a strong recovery focus. We currently operate 2 sites across Wandworth plus various satellites including in primary care, and one Richmond site with additional satellites.

We in-reach to local hospitals, offer street outreach, and work closely with local stakeholders including social care and mental health.

We also have an online offer which we continue to develop.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities







Ensure that a risk assessment and management plan is completed for service users, especially if there is a history of, or a potential for risk.

To be aware of the potential for vulnerability to abuse amongst the service users / families, and use of the local policy to inform appropriate personnel in line with safeguarding vulnerable adults and children and SLaM.

Ensure that BBV testing, treatment and where appropriate naloxone are offered to service users at first contact.

To effectively implement recovery based care-plans in collaboration with service users so their needs are best met within the treatment system which may include a successful transfer to the team or site that best meets the service user’s needs.







Help develop and maintain effective joint working arrangements with colleagues in the community mental health services, residential services, primary health care, social services and voluntary services, thus facilitating the co-ordination and comprehensiveness of provision of care, and to provide high quality nursing advice and consultation to colleagues, community groups and organisations.

To participate in the Consortium’s Group Training Program, SLaM mandatory training and the Consortium Duty and Triage rotas as required.

To act in a manner to respect the customs, individuality, values, sexuality and spiritual beliefs, actively supporting the individual to fulfill these, and to adhere to all registration professional standards.







To lead the clinical management of a care package to individuals who use our services, as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.

To co-ordinate and monitor the delivery of person centered healthcare to a designated group of people who use our services, using complex clinical decision making where appropriate and responding to changes in presentation / situation appropriately.

To promote shared decision making with service user / relatives / carers, as appropriate, in terms of involvement in all aspects of their care.

To deliver individual and group therapy utilising CBT skills.

To ensure provision of the necessary physical care to help people who use our services i.e. : personal hygiene, diet and fluid intake, clothing and laundry, personal environment, manual handling, elimination,





maintaining rest and sleep and activity, physical observations.

To ensure provision of therapeutic activities, emotional support and stability to clients to ensure effective engagement whilst maintaining professional boundaries.

To ensure prescribed physical observations are undertaken as follows : blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respirations, blood sugars, urinalysis, weight and height and act upon exceptions appropriately

Supervise junior nurses and other non-qualified staff in the service / team, and participate in the education of pre and post registration nursing, social work, psychology, medical and occupational therapy students.

To lead the development, maintenance and monitoring of service standards,





collect and collate data / information effectively for the purpose of audit, research and service performance.

To ensure compliance by self and staff of the Trust’s Policies, Procedures and Guidelines, including taking all reasonable steps to manage and promote a healthy working and diverse working environment.

To participate in clinical governance activities including monitoring standards set within the service.

To participate in the recruitment and selection of staff

If the post-holder is not an NMP, they will be expected to apply for this training within the Trust

The post-holder may be asked to carry out tasks in other sites / services if there are pressures on other parts of the treatment system

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria







- Registered Nurse with considerable post qualification experience which would include lengthy clinical experience working with people with substance misuse related problems and evidence of commitment to harm reduction interventions)
- Evidence of continuing professional development and training (band 6 : relevant to substance misuse work and harm reduction activity)
- Willingness to work towards an NMP qualification if not yet achieved

Desirable criteria

- Diploma or degree level qualification in addictions or related area of practice such as CBT, dual diagnosis, etc.
- Non-Medical Prescriber
- Mentorship Qualifications and updates

Experience

Essential criteria

- Experience and evidence of ability to produce formal written reports, presentations and draft policies for consultation
- Experience of supervising staff or students
- Experience of using word processing and database use as well as a willingness to improve existing skill base
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
- Experience of liaison with statutory and non-statutory services

Desirable criteria

- Experience of working in the community
- Experience of the management of clients with complex needs
- Phlebotomy training

Knowledge / Skills

Essential criteria

- A thorough understanding of harm reduction in relation to injecting behaviour as well as safer sexual practices
- Knowledge of potential physical, psycho-social problems among this client group and appropriate interventions to address them
- Knowledge of crack / stimulant interventions
- Knowledge of PIEDs interventions
- Strong understanding of harm reduction, and relapse prevention in relation to substance misuse and planning recovery
- An understanding of the current issues affecting substance misuse services
- Effective assessment and engagement skills
- Effective care planning skills
- Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to negotiate with clients to influence positive outcomes
- Ability to be flexible and thrive in a rapidly changing environment
- Ability to organise and manage time effectively and work autonomously
- Ability to work effectively with clients with drug / alcohol assessments prioritise referrals
- Ability to effectively evaluate care using audit and outcome measurements
- IT skills in relation to clinical notes and report writing

Desirable criteria

- Experience of supervising / managing junior staff and students
- Experience of and skills in delivering training

▶️ Community Nurse in Addictions
🖊️ South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
📍 London