Tobacco Dependence Advisor

NHS; Uxbridge; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional health service provider is seeking a Tobacco Dependence Advisor to support patients in quitting smoking. This role involves coordinating interventions, creating personalized quit plans, and providing guidance to staff. Candidates should have completed relevant training and possess experience in smoking cessation and behavioral support. This position offers a salary between £35,763 to £43,466 a year, pro rata, and is essential for enhancing the well-being of patients with mental health conditions.

Qualifications

• Completed NCSCT or level 2 Smoking Cessation training.
• Experience supporting patients with mental health issues.
• Experience in smoking cessation interventions.

Responsibilities

• Co-ordinate individual and group stop smoking interventions.
• Assess tobacco use and create quit plans.
• Support the safe use of nicotine replacement therapy.

Skills

Ability to work flexibly

Develop therapeutic rapport with patients

Communicating clinical information

Understanding of NHS policies

Knowledge of interactions between tobacco and medications

Education

NCSCT or level 2 Smoking Cessation training

NCSCT mental health module

O Level or GCSE standard for English and Mathematics

Tools

SystmOne

QuitManager

Job description

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Our inpatient mental health services are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of people with severe mental illness. As part of the NHS Long Term Plan, we are embedding tobacco dependence treatment as a routine part of inpatient care. By joining our team, you will play a vital role in helping patients to live smoke‑free, improving both their physical and mental health.

The Tobacco Dependence Advisor will oversee and deliver specialist support to patients admitted to mental health inpatient wards who smoke or use tobacco. The postholder will support junior staff in the provision of behavioural support and, where appropriate pharmacological treatment to help patients manage withdrawal and work towards a smoke‑free future. The lead advisor also support ward staff by providing training, guidance, and resources to embed tobacco dependence treatment as part of routine care, in line with the NHS Long Term Plan.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for a dedicated and compassionate Tobacco Dependence Advisor to join our inpatient mental health team. This role is central to supporting patients admitted to our wards who smoke or vape, by providing specialist behavioural support and treatment to help them manage nicotine withdrawal and work towards quitting.

Job responsibilities

• Co‑ordinate and support the delivery of one‑to‑one and group‑based stop smoking interventions to patients.
• Assess tobacco use and create personalised quit plans.
• Support safe prescribing and use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and other stop smoking medications.
• Work alongside junior Tobacco advisors and ward staff, psychiatrists, pharmacists, and nurses to embed tobacco treatment into care.
• Lead on providing training and guidance to staff on supporting patients with tobacco dependence.
• Ensure patients are referred to community stop smoking services on discharge for ongoing support.
• Lead and coordinate the junior Tobacco Advisors, ensuring all aspects of the model and documentation on the NHS digital platform for timely quarterly submissions.
• Provide smoke‑cessation interventions in line with the evidence base and agreed National standards.
• Use motivational techniques to assess clients’ motivation to quit and maintain relationships to support cessation.
• Develop action plans with clients and discuss appropriate pharmacological support.
• Attend bespoke training events for career and continuous professional development.
• Conduct regular reviews of service provision, including venues, frequency and timing.
• Maintain accurate records on patient support, treatment outcomes and follow‑up, using systems such as SystmOne.
• Ensure all care is delivered in line with NICE guidance, Trust smoke‑free policy, and safeguarding requirements.
• Supervise junior band 4 Tobacco Dependence Advisors in Mental Health.
• Use a carbon monoxide monitor to assess clients’ levels and manage care accordingly.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Completed the National Centre for Smoking Cessation Training (NCSCT) or level 2 Smoking Cessation training.
• Completed NCSCT mental health module for smoking cessation.
• A satisfactory level of general education, including O Level or GCSE standard for English and Mathematics.
• Additional modules of smoking cessation training via NCSCT for specialist priority groups.

Skills & Knowledge

• Ability to work flexibly within this setting.
• Ability to develop a therapeutic rapport with substance‑using patients, especially those with mental health problems.
• Experience communicating clinical information to partner agencies to ensure positive outcomes for service users.
• Good understanding of local and national policies relating to Stop Smoking Service provision – NHS Long Term Plan.
• Knowledge of interactions between tobacco use and psychiatric medications.

Experience

• Experience providing support in a healthcare, mental health, or community setting.
• Knowledge of smoking cessation and evidence‑based interventions.
• Experience delivering a range of evidence‑based behavioural change interventions.
• Substantial experience or working as a Tobacco Advisor.
• Experience of, and knowledge of, Nicotine Replacement Therapy.
• Experience of providing Motivational Enhancement Therapy.
• Experience of promoting health & wellbeing sessions.
• Experience delivering training & wellbeing sessions for other professional groups.
• Experience supervising and line‑managing junior staff.
• Experience working in addictions services and collaborating with client groups.
• Experience of audit and service user satisfaction feedback and analysis.
• Understanding of the role of service users and promotion of the ‘experts by experience’ model of service provision.
• Experience using clinical or performance systems such as QuitManager or SystmOne.

Other

• Been a non‑smoker for at least the last 12 months.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Salary

£35,763 to £43,466 a year, pro rata incl HCAS