Substance Misuse Nurse

NHS; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 23,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading health charity is seeking a part-time Substance Misuse Nurse to support individuals facing complex issues related to substance use. The role involves conducting health assessments, providing education, and supporting detoxification processes while working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

Benefits

Regular national nurse forums and appraisals

Protected CPD time for revalidation

Access to educational resources

Opportunities for practice development

Wellbeing resources and weekly wellbeing hour

Qualifications

• Experience with drug and alcohol treatment and project development.
• Knowledge of clinical prescribing and local services.
• Proficiency in clinical auditing.

Responsibilities

• Conduct health assessments and refer to appropriate services.
• Support community detoxification and perform phlebotomy.
• Provide health education and manage emergencies.

Skills

Harm reduction

Health promotion

Motivational interviewing

Education

Registered nurse with a current PIN

Trained in phlebotomy

Qualification in substance misuse

Job description

Change Grow Live is one of the UK's leading health and social care charities, and the Substance Misuse Nurse role is a varied one. You will support people with complex issues related to the impact of substance use on their physical and mental health.

At Change Grow Live, we support your professional growth through:

• Regular national nurse and HCA forums, with regular 1:1s and appraisals
• Protected CPD time up to 6 days per year for revalidation
• Access to educational resources including the RCNi learning platform and NMC fee coverage
• Opportunities to develop your practice via the government-backed Apprenticeship Levy
• Encouragement to take a wellbeing hour weekly and access to wellbeing resources

This is a part-time role, 22.5 hours per week.

Main duties of the job

• Conduct physical and mental health assessments
• Refer to primary/secondary care for health issues
• Perform alcohol assessments to determine safe detoxification
• Support community alcohol and opioid detoxification
• Provide health education, screening for blood-borne viruses, and vaccinations
• Work within and support integrated care pathways for BBV-infected individuals
• Perform phlebotomy as needed
• Utilize blood results for assessments and referrals
• Refer to inpatient services and liaise with hospital staff
• Train staff and service users in naloxone use
• Be proficient in basic life support and emergency management
• Adhere to legislation regarding PGDs
• Supervise HCAs, students, and volunteers

About us

Believe in people

We believe in the potential of everyone—service users, staff, and volunteers—and aim to support positive change and societal development through a diverse and inclusive team.

Our priority is the safety of vulnerable groups, and we will support you to uphold the highest standards of safety and care.

Job responsibilities

Main purpose of the role

As directed by the Lead/Cluster Lead Nurse, you will be an essential part of a multidisciplinary team delivering specialist interventions.

All staff are expected to uphold professional standards, promote effective communication, safeguard vulnerable populations, and work collaboratively with colleagues and partners.

Reporting and working relationships

The role reports directly to the Lead/Cluster Lead Nurse, with potential changes in reporting lines.

Role-specific responsibilities

• Undertake health assessments and refer appropriately
• Assist in alcohol and opioid detoxification processes
• Provide health promotion and BBV screening and vaccinations
• Support integrated care pathways and community detoxification
• Perform phlebotomy and interpret blood results
• Refer to inpatient services when needed
• Contribute to Naloxone strategy and training
• Offer wound care assessments and organize signposting
• Manage emergencies with proficiency in life support and defibrillation
• Follow PGD legislation
• Use psychosocial interventions to promote engagement and recovery

Communication

Develop therapeutic relationships, ensure effective communication of treatments, and stay current with best practices and revalidation requirements.

Delivering a Quality Service

Contribute to high-quality, evidence-based services aligned with UK and NICE guidelines.

Leadership

Provide clinical leadership, support, coaching, and supervision within the team.

Team Working

Participate in client transfers, prescribing, and service performance to meet contractual targets, and contribute to community detox plans.

Managing Information

Ensure accurate data recording and compliance with contractual and administrative requirements.

This outline is not exhaustive and may evolve to meet organizational needs. Flexibility across operational sites and working hours, including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays, is required.

Person Specification

Experience

• Understanding of and ability to deliver quality services
• Knowledge of harm reduction, health promotion, and clinical prescribing
• Experience with drug and alcohol treatment, project development, and local services
• Proficiency in motivational interviewing and clinical auditing

Qualifications

• Registered nurse with a current PIN
• Trained in phlebotomy
• Qualification in substance misuse

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This role is subject to DBS checks in accordance with legal requirements.