Specialist Drug and Alcohol Outreach Nurse

Integrated Care System; Paisley; On-site; GBP 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health and social care charity is seeking a Specialist Drug and Alcohol Outreach Nurse to provide essential clinical interventions and support for individuals facing substance misuse challenges. This full-time position requires flexibility, a registered nursing qualification, and experience in community outreach. Candidates will collaborate with multi-agency partners to ensure access to health services while engaging with vulnerable populations.

Benefits

Access to educational resources

NMC registration fee coverage

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience as a clinical practitioner in inclusion health.
• Autonomous decision-making experience is required.
• Full UK driver’s license is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Deliver healthcare and clinical interventions tailored to drug and alcohol-using populations.
• Collaborate with multi-agency partners for health needs.
• Participate in Naloxone training and distribution.

Skills

Clinical decision-making

Communication

Risk assessment

Holistic assessments

Education

First Level nursing qualification with registered PIN

Tools

NMC registration

CPD resources

Job description

Specialist Drug and Alcohol Outreach Nurse

Change Grow Live is one of the UK’s leading health and social care charities. The Substance Misuse Nurse role is varied and involves supporting individuals with multifaceted issues related to substance use and their physical and mental health.

Nurses are vital members of our multidisciplinary teams, providing specialist clinical interventions to service users. We value a person-centered approach, curiosity, good listening skills, clinical robustness, and flexibility as essential qualities.

At Change Grow Live, we support your professional growth through regular national nurse and HCA forums, 1:1s, appraisals, and protected CPD time (up to 6 days annually). We offer access to educational resources like the RCNi learning platform, cover NMC registration fees, and support role-specific development through the Apprenticeship Levy. We promote staff wellbeing with dedicated hours and resources.

Main duties of the job

We support Renfrewshire’s vision of building safer, healthier communities via a trauma-informed approach. The service prioritizes rapid overdose responses and offers clinical outreach, including harm reduction via a mobile van in community hotspots.

The post holder will work under the Lead Nurse, delivering healthcare and clinical interventions tailored to the local drug and alcohol-using population. This is a full-time role on a rota basis (Monday to Saturday), including evenings and fortnightly Saturdays. Flexibility in hours and locations is required, and candidates must be qualified and experienced in care delivery, caseload management, and facilitating access to health and recovery services.

About us

Believe in people

We believe in the potential of everyone—service users and staff alike. We do not judge and aim to empower positive change.

Our mission is to help individuals change their lives and realize their full potential. Our vision is to develop a whole person approach that positively impacts society. We value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds to enhance our services and workplace. The safety of vulnerable populations is our top priority, and we provide support to ensure high standards of safety and care.

Job responsibilities

Key Activities

The Specialist Nurse will collaborate with multi-agency partners to meet the health needs of those experiencing drug and alcohol issues. Responsibilities include attending meetings, building relationships, effective communication, risk assessment, and thorough documentation. The nurse will liaise with healthcare providers, identify service gaps, support access to services, and deliver screening and care pathways for infections like Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or HIV. Participation in Naloxone training and distribution, patient feedback collection, and policy development are also key aspects.

Clinical Practice and Harm Reduction

The nurse will provide advanced healthcare, including clinical decision-making, holistic assessments, and immediate care in outreach settings. This includes wound care and signposting to mainstream services.

Service User Engagement

Building therapeutic relationships using trauma-informed principles, acting as a case manager, and addressing safeguarding concerns are integral. Advocacy aligned with the Charter of Rights is expected.

General Terms of Reference

The role requires flexible working across sites, ongoing professional development, adherence to policies, and participation in safety and data training.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• First Level nursing qualification with a registered PIN.
• Full UK driver’s license.

Experience

• Experience as a clinical practitioner in inclusion health.
• Knowledge of primary care, acute, mental health, and addiction services.
• Experience managing a caseload independently.
• Autonomous decision-making experience.
• Advanced assessment qualification (e.g., minor illness/injury, chronic disease).
• Experience delivering nurse-led community outreach.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This role requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check due to the nature of work with vulnerable populations.

Salary: £47,792.23 per year (full-time equivalent, pro-rata for part-time).