Substance Misuse Nurse

Change Grow Live; Preston; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health service provider in Preston is seeking a registered nurse to undertake health assessments, promote health, and support clients experiencing substance misuse. The successful candidate will have a nursing background and strong skills in harm reduction. The role offers competitive pay within the NHS bands, generous holiday, and professional development opportunities within a supportive environment. Ideal for those passionate about client welfare and community service.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Paid 'Wellness' hour each week

Contributory pension scheme

Annual NMC fee reimbursement

Access to excellent training programmes

Friendly and supportive team

Qualifications

• Recent experience in drug and alcohol treatment is desirable but not essential.
• Ability to formulate written reports as necessary.
• Understanding of professional integrity in relationships with service users and colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Undertake health assessments for clients accessing services.
• Provide health promotion and vaccination for BBV.
• Train staff and service users in Naloxone use.
• Contribute to the CGL’s Naloxone Strategy.
• Provide harm reduction advice and dispose of equipment safely.
• Input client data to comply with operational requirements.

Skills

Harm reduction knowledge

Clinical auditing skills

Empathetic attitude

Recovery planning

Education

First level registered nurse with recent relevant experience

Job description

About the role

• Undertake physical and mental health assessments for people who access our services when indicated by clinical need and ensure appropriate signposting / referral to primary care or appropriate secondary health care services for identified health issues.
• Provide education, health promotion and screening for blood borne viruses (BBV). Provide Hepatitis B vaccinations when indicated.
• Contribute to CGL’s Naloxone Strategy by training staff and service users in the use of Naloxone. Ensuring Naloxone is distributed to service users at every opportunity.
• Develop therapeutic alliances with people who have substance misuse problems and develop effective partnerships with them.
• Ensure that procedures are constantly reviewed to promote best practice and evidence based practice in accordance with UK Guidelines on Clinical Management, NICE guidance, and CGL clinical protocols and procedures.
• Provide harm reduction advice to injecting service users, providing information and equipment and ensure all equipment is disposed of safely.
• Record and input client data and information in order that the service operates within contractual, administrative, and financial requirements.

About you

• First level registered nurse with recent relevant post qualification experience and a current PIN
• Relevant recent experience of working within drug and alcohol treatment (desirable but not essential)
• Sound and demonstrable knowledge of harm reduction and health promotion interventions
• Ability to assess and recovery plan service users and formulate written reports, as necessary.
• Clinical auditing skills to inform evaluation of the service and identify areas for development.
• Employ a professional, empathetic, and non-judgemental attitude towards service users and all stakeholders.
• An understanding of the importance of professional integrity in relationships with service users, peers, and other relevant professionals

What we will give to you

• 25 days holiday (+ bank holidays) rising by 1 day for each year’s service, capped at 30 days
• Paid ‘Wellness’ hour each week along with a ‘Wellness’ hub and Employee Assist Programme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Annual reimbursement of your NMC fee
• Dedicated and protected professional development time
• Access to excellent training programmes including the RCN e-learning platform
• A great selection of benefits incl. discounts for shopping, cinema, holidays, etc.
• A friendly and supportive team
• Training, career development & progression opportunities
• Protected monthly CPD
• Our nursing pay is competitive with the NHS Agenda for Change pay bands

Please ensure that when completing your application form and supporting statement, you reflect on the details outlined in the job description. This will help us understand how your skills and experiences align with the requirements of the role.

Direct applications only — we will not be engaging agencies for this vacancy.

Note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. For applicants with time-limited visas, we are unable to support new visa applications or extensions.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Salary Range (pro rata if part time) CGL points 33 to 39 (£37,184.90 - £43,384.61) ILW / OLW / Fringe N / A - Outside London Weighting Area

Interview Date 19 / 1 / 2026 Closing Date 11 / 1 / 2026