Harm Reduction Outreach Support Worker

NHS National Services Scotland; Coatbridge; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Leave 35 days

NHS pension scheme

Incremental salary progression

Sick leave with length of service

NHS discounts

Job summary

NHS Lanarkshire is seeking a Harm Reduction Outreach Worker to join the pan-Lanarkshire team, delivering a van-based outreach service with BBV testing, needle exchange, and referrals to treatment.

The role focuses on hard-to-reach populations, public awareness, and education on harm reduction, working with a multidisciplinary team in a high-demand environment. Driving licence is required.

Qualifications

• SVQ III in healthcare, or working towards, or equivalent experience.
• Ability to work with people and as part of a multidisciplinary/agency team.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to carry out assigned patient care tasks effectively within a busy environment.
• Ability to work unsupervised.
• Actively participate in the Personal Development Plan process to fulfil the requirements of continuing professional development.
• Working knowledge of basic information technology.
• A driving licence is required; this must be a full UK/EU/EEA licence.

Responsibilities

• Assist in a wide service provision around harm minimisation, in the area of substance misuse which will include fixed site clinics and on an outreach capacity - occasionally out of hours as per service provision.
• Supply as required advice and information on locally based service provision and refer clients to the Outreach Co-ordinator/Worker for referral on to mainstream services.
• Carry out and record basic observations / assessment of patient need and to raise any concerns with the team.
• Bring to the attention of the Co-ordinator, any inadequacy in the system which may be to the detriment of the clients’ welfare and public safety

Job description

About The Organisation

Here at NHS Lanarkshire, we put the patient at the heart of everything we do. Each colleague within the organisation plays a key role in how we deliver our healthcare services.

We proudly serve a population of 655,000 across rural and urban communities in both North and South Lanarkshire. NHS Lanarkshire is comprised of Acute Services (which currently provide hospital based services over 3 main sites), Corporate & Property & Support Services, North and South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnerships which provide integrated primary healthcare and social care services to local communities and surrounding areas.

The Role

Based within the pan-Lanarkshire Harm Reduction Team, this post is a fantastic opportunity for the right person to participate in the development and facilitation of the Lanarkshire Harm Reduction Low Threshold Service, offering a comprehensive locally based service for hard to reach, recreational, experimental and dependent substance use clients.

The key purpose of this role will be involved in supporting the provision of a van-based accessible outreach service. The clinical space of the outreach van allows the service to offer a range of harm reduction options to people using the service. These include BBV testing, referral and supporting treatment completion, needle exchange, injecting risk and agreed health assessments, referral and support for clients engaging/not engaging with mainstream health and social services. The worker will be involved in service user education and public awareness on all aspects of substance use issues around harm reduction. This is a rewarding job working with a highly marginalised population.

In this key role, you will:

• Assist in a -wide service provision around harm minimisation, in the area of substance misuse which will include fixed site clinics and on an outreach capacity - occasionally out of hours as per service provision.
• Supply as required advice and information on locally based service provision and refer clients to the Outreach Co-ordinator/Worker for referral on to mainstream services.
• Carry out and record basic observations / assessment of patient need and to raise any concerns with the team.
• Bring to the attention of the Co-ordinator, any inadequacy in the system which may be to the detriment of the clients’ welfare and public safety

What You'll Bring:

• SVQ III in healthcare, or working towards, or equivalent experience working within a caring environment/role.
• Ability to work with people and as part of a multidisciplinary/agency team.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to carry out assigned patient care tasks effectively within a busy environment.
• Ability to work unsupervised.
• Actively participate in the Personal Development Plan process to fulfil the requirements of continuing professional development.
• Working knowledge of basic information technology
• A driving licence is required; this must be a full UK/EU/EEA licence.

What we Offer

As a valued employee of NHS Lanarkshire, you can enjoy an extensive range of benefits including:

• Annual Leave - 35 days including public holidays
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Annual incremental salary progression
• Paid sick leave increasing with length of service
• NHS discounts and more.

NHS Lanarkshire is dedicated to building a diverse workforce where everyone can thrive, develop, and succeed based on their skills, knowledge, and talent - regardless of race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or care experience* or any other dimension that can be used to differentiate people from one another.

*Care experienced applicants include those who have lived with foster parents, kinship carers, or in residential/secure children’s settings.