Clinical Nurse - Substance Misuse

Hippo Staffing Solutions; Guildford; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A respected staffing agency is seeking an experienced Lead Nurse for a Substance Misuse treatment service in Guildford. This role involves providing clinical leadership, managing detox protocols, and mentoring support staff within a multidisciplinary team. The position offers regular weekday hours and the chance to make a meaningful impact on patient care. NMC registration and experience in substance misuse or mental health are required, along with strong leadership and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Registered nurse with relevant post-registration experience in substance misuse.
• Experience in detox, addiction treatment, or mental health.
• Strong clinical leadership and mentoring skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support multidisciplinary teams in clinical care.
• Plan and implement detox programs including alcohol tapers.
• Conduct assessments (COWS, CIWA-Ar) for safe detox progression.
• Monitor vital signs and respond to clinical emergencies.
• Maintain documentation and support continuous quality improvement.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Communication skills

Ability to work under pressure

Collaborative mindset

Compassionate approach

Education

NMC-registered nurse (RGN/RMN)

Job description

Lead Nurse – Substance Misuse – Guildford

Salary: £38,000 – £40,000 (depending on experience)

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm (37.5 hours per week)

Recruiting on behalf of our client.

We are recruiting an experienced and compassionate Lead Nurse – Substance Misuse to join our specialist detox and recovery service in Guildford. The role plays a central clinical and leadership position within a multidisciplinary team, supporting adults through safe, structured and person‑centred detoxification.

The Lead Nurse must be an NMC‑registered nurse (RGN or RMN) with strong clinical leadership skills, confidence in managing detox protocols, and experience within substance misuse or mental health services. This Monday‑Friday role offers stability, autonomy and the opportunity to influence high‑quality care delivery.

What We're Looking For

• NMC‑registered nurse (RGN/RMN) with relevant post‑registration experience
• Experience within substance misuse, detox, addiction treatment or mental health
• Strong clinical leadership and excellent communication skills
• A compassionate, proactive approach and the ability to work well under pressure
• A collaborative mindset to thrive within a multidisciplinary team

What the Lead Nurse Will Do

• Provide clinical leadership to support teams, offering guidance, supervision and expertise to maintain exceptional standards of care
• Assess, plan and implement detox programmes, including alcohol detox tapers, Librium (Chlordiazepoxide) protocols and structured withdrawal monitoring
• Conduct and oversee COWS and CIWA‑Ar assessments to guide safe, evidence‑based detox progression
• Monitor and interpret vital signs (BP, pulse, respiration, O₂ saturations, temperature) to identify early signs of deterioration
• Respond appropriately and confidently to clinical and medical emergencies
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation, support audits and contribute to continuous quality improvement
• Work collaboratively with GPs, doctors, therapists and external partners to ensure a seamless, integrated treatment approach
• Mentor and develop support workers, promoting best practice, detox knowledge and ongoing professional development
• Oversee daily clinical operations and step into broader centre management responsibilities where required

This Lead Nurse – Substance Misuse position in Guildford offers a rare opportunity to work regular weekday hours while playing a key leadership role within a respected treatment service. If you are an experienced nurse seeking a rewarding and stable position with the chance to make a meaningful difference, this role is an excellent fit.