Substance Misuse Liaison Nurse

Barts Health NHS Trust; London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Barts Health NHS Trust is seeking a dedicated Substance Misuse Liaison Nurse to join their team at Whipps Cross University Hospital. This role involves providing expert advice and treatment for patients dealing with alcohol and drug-related issues, working collaboratively with clinical staff and community services. The successful candidate will benefit from ongoing training and development opportunities within a supportive environment focused on excellence in patient care.

Qualifications

• Evidence of continuing personal development in substance misuse care.
• Training in interventions with drugs and alcohol misuse.
• Experience with behavior change programs and complex needs.

Responsibilities

• Use screening tools to identify patients at risk of substance misuse.
• Assess risk and plan care in partnership with the multidisciplinary team.
• Coordinate referrals for ongoing treatment and manage complex cases.

Skills

Effective verbal, written, and presentation skills

Good interpersonal skills

Motivational interviewing

Empathy and warmth in relationship building

IT literacy

Education

Post-registration training in alcohol and substance misuse care

Training in interventions with drugs and alcohol misuse

Training and/or experience in psychosocial interventions

Job description

All our hospitals have their own unique identities while sharing the same standards and values

You can shape your story with us.

Whether you’re looking to gain experience in a large, fast-paced hospital or get out into the community, we have a range of opportunities that allow you to build your entire career in one trust.

For us, every day is different. We provide care to a diverse population of 2.5 million across east London – that’s 6,000 people every day, speaking over 60 different languages. Our patients are at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to ensuring that people living in east London live healthy lives.

Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country and one of Britain’s leading healthcare providers.

The Barts Health group of NHS hospitals is entering an exciting new era on our improvement journey to becoming an outstanding organisation with a world-class clinical reputation. Having lifted ourselves out of special measures, we now have the impetus and breathing space to chart a new course, continually striving to improve all our services for patients.

Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. This includes being a provider of excellent patient safety, delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care, and caring for patients in the right place at the right time. We also aim to be an outstanding place to work, where our WeCare values and behaviours are visible and guide our collaborative efforts.

Barts Health supports the Pregnancy Loss Pledge and commits to supporting staff through the distress of miscarriage.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated registered general nurse (RGN) or registered mental health nurse (RMN) to join the liaison team at Whipps Cross University Hospital as a Substance Misuse Liaison Nurse. The successful post holder will work across both adult and children’s settings (Emergency Department, wards, and clinics) to provide advice and treatment for patients with alcohol and drug-related issues, including withdrawal management. They will work closely with local authority and community drug and alcohol treatment services to ensure continuity of support.

Through on-the-job training and active encouragement, the post-holder will ensure clinical staff across adult and children’s settings are aware of alcohol and drug-related issues, the need for systematic screening, the effectiveness of brief interventions, and the referral pathways for further support.

In return, we will develop your skills, knowledge, and experience through formal and on-the-job training.

For further information regarding the role, please contact:

Ghislaine Stephenson, Associate Director of Nursing - [e-mail]

Main duties of the job

The post holder will use screening tools to identify patients at increasing, higher risk, or dependent levels of alcohol or substance misuse. They will assess risk and plan care in partnership with the multidisciplinary team, coordinate referrals for ongoing treatment, and manage complex cases post-discharge.

The Substance Misuse Nurse Specialist will work in emergency departments, clinics, and wards, providing advice and treatment for alcohol and substance-related issues, including withdrawal management, and guiding staff on clinical management.

Undertaking holistic assessments, the post holder will assess risks and contribute to safe discharges, coordinating referrals for ongoing care and managing complex cases after discharge.

Working for our organisation

Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts and leading healthcare providers in Britain.

We are on a journey to become an outstanding organisation with a reputation for excellence and innovation, providing safe and compassionate care in east London and beyond. Our vision emphasizes safety, high standards, and being an outstanding place to work, guided by our WeCare values.

We promote inclusion and value diversity, fostering an environment where everyone feels they belong.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The full job description and person specification are available in the attached documents.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Evidence of continuing personal development and post-registration training in alcohol and substance misuse care
• Training in interventions with drugs and alcohol misuse
• Training and/or experience in psychosocial interventions (e.g., psychology, counselling, CBT)

Experience

• Assessing risky health behaviors
• Experience with behavior change programs
• Experience working with young people with complex needs
• Experience working with various stakeholders
• Experience in care delivery for patients with alcohol/substance disorders
• Knowledge of Patient Information Systems
• Experience teaching others

Knowledge

• Identifying and reducing risks related to drugs and alcohol
• Knowledge of current policies and standards in alcohol and drug care
• Familiarity with alcohol screening tools
• Understanding NHS policies and national alcohol issues
• Knowledge of alcohol withdrawal management

Skills

• Ability to identify and escalate safeguarding concerns
• Brief intervention skills
• Effective verbal, written, and presentation skills
• Good interpersonal skills for effective communication and negotiation
• Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks
• Ability to work within harm minimization models
• Motivational interviewing and relapse management skills
• Empathy and warmth in relationship building
• IT literacy, including Microsoft Word and clinical data reporting

We are committed to promoting inclusion and ensuring a supportive working environment. We support applications from individuals under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme and process applications accordingly.