Drug and Alcohol Nurse DACT

NHS; Doncaster; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Doncaster seeks an experienced DACT Nurse to provide holistic assessments and interventions for patients with drug and alcohol-related issues. The role involves acute assessments, multidisciplinary collaboration, and training for staff. Successful candidates must hold NMC registration and have relevant experience in substance misuse. Competitive salary and opportunities for professional development are offered.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable post-qualification experience of working with people who have experienced drug and/or alcohol problems.
• Experience of working with people with common mental health problems and dual diagnosis.
• Experience of undertaking risk assessments and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist assessment and intervention to patients presenting with drug and/or alcohol related problems.
• Promote screening, identification, and brief intervention of patients.
• Advise clinical staff on the management of patients experiencing acute alcohol withdrawal.

Skills

Ability to lead and organise others within the workplace

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Ability to manage stress positively

IT literate: competent in Microsoft Word and Outlook

Education

Registered Nurse – current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)

NMC approved mentor and assessing course

Post basic qualification in drug and alcohol misuse

Job description

Overview

The role of the DACT Nurse is to provide a comprehensive and holistic assessment of the patient, covering mental and physical health, social issues, and drug and alcohol history to formulate a plan of care based on individual needs. Brief interventions will be delivered as standard and there is an expectation to follow up patients who require admission to hospital. The DACT Nurse will provide acute assessment to support inpatient wards and the Emergency Department, and work into the Acute Medicine Unit and Surgical Assessment Centre. The band 6 DACT nurse will work as an autonomous practitioner with regular access to supervision and support from the Team Leader. The post holder will provide advice and training to DBTH staff and act as an expert point of contact. Strong multidisciplinary working is essential to liaise with local service providers to ensure continuity of care. The post holder should be flexible to meet the needs of the team and demonstrate knowledge, expertise, advocacy skills and a passion for working within the specialty of alcohol misuse.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist assessment and intervention to patients presenting with drug and/or alcohol related problems or injuries. Identify appropriate treatment options and ensure these are implemented.
• Use local and national guidelines for the treatment of alcohol misuse and/or drugs to ensure high quality, evidence-based care for all patients referred; escalate concerns immediately if care is not meeting these standards.
• Promote screening, identification, and brief intervention of patients and equip ward staff with the appropriate tools to carry these out.
• Educate patients and their families/carers on substance misuse related harm and deliver brief advice.
• Screen patients to identify those at risk from alcohol related health and social problems (hazardous drinkers) and those with health damage from alcohol (harmful drinkers) and undertake appropriate interventions or referrals.
• Identify patients currently using illicit substances and undertake appropriate interventions or referrals.
• Advise and support emergency department staff on admission criteria for patients with substance misuse issues attending the department.
• Advise clinical staff on the management of patients experiencing acute alcohol withdrawal, including treatment protocols and detoxification medication and vitamin prescribing (once qualified as a non-medical prescriber).

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse – current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
• NMC approved mentor and assessing course.
• Post basic qualification in drug and alcohol misuse or evidence of relevant learning beyond registration.

Experience

• Demonstrable post-qualification experience of working with people who have experienced drug and/or alcohol problems.
• Experience of working with people with common mental health problems and dual diagnosis.
• Experience of undertaking risk assessments and risk management.
• Experience of working across settings from community to inpatient.

Skills

• Ability to lead and organise others within the workplace.
• Ability to evaluate and implement training impact.
• Ability to manage stress positively.
• IT literate: competent in Microsoft Word and Outlook.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including report writing.

Knowledge

• Understanding of the effects of problematic drug and alcohol use on the individual, family and community.
• Understanding of evidence-based psychological therapies and their relevance to this post.
• Understanding of harm minimisation and health promotion in the context of drug and alcohol use.
• Knowledge of treatment and interventions used in the treatment of problematic drug and alcohol use.
• Understanding of equal opportunities and diversity in the workplace and service delivery.
• Understanding of child protection issues within the context of problematic drug and alcohol use and the effects on parenting.

Other information

This post is subject to DBS check requirements and standard safeguarding and sponsorship arrangements as applicable. Disclosure to the DBS may be required. Applicants should have current UK professional registration.