Tobacco Dependency Advisor

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Tobacco Dependency Advisor for the Trustwide Tobacco Dependency Treatment Service. The role is based at Durham or Darlington with local travel, full-time and permanent.

You will assess smokers, develop treatment plans and provide behavioural support, while adhering to smokefree policies. Required NVQ3 in Health and Social Care, and NCSCT Level 2 training, with previous mental health service exposure.

Qualifications

• Motivational skills to inspire others.
• Knowledge of tobacco dependency and treatment.
• Confidence in working with a wide variety of partners.

Responsibilities

• Support the assessment, development and implementation of treatment plans for patients identified as smokers throughout the treatment period whilst providing behavioural and motivational support.
• Work with patients on a one to one or group basis where appropriate to assess and agree a treatment and support plan to meet their individual requirements.
• Assessment and subsequent support may take place in a range of venues including a patient's own home; report to the relevant tobacco dependency lead nurse on interventions and outcomes on a regular basis.
• Ensure that the service adopts a Making Every Contact Count (MECC) approach in contacts with patients.
• Develop and maintain relationships with individuals and their families to educate, facilitate and promote change, identifying and managing risks related to patient care.
• Facilitate transfer of care into Community Stop Smoking Services (CSSS) provision, such as Local Authority CSSS or primary care including GP or Pharmacy services.
• Offer therapeutic and supportive interventions to support a quit attempt whilst maintaining patient confidentiality.
• Take and record patients carbon monoxide monitor readings and practice safely within infection, prevention, and control measures.
• Advise patients on the use of stop smoking pharmacotherapy, including NRT and E-cigarettes.
• Contribute to the long-term development of the onsite tobacco dependency treatment service.

Skills

Motivational skills

Knowledge of tobacco dependency

Confidence in working with partners

Education

Basic Maths and English (Functional Level 2)

NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care

NCSCT Level 2 Practitioner Training (Mental Health module)

Job description

Go back Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Tobacco Dependency Advisor

The closing date is 29 September 2026

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Tobacco Dependency Advisor to join the Trustwide Tobacco Dependency Treatment Service. The service is operational Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm.

The successful candidate will be based at either Durham (Lanchester Road Hospital) or Darlington (West Park Hospital) This is a full-time permanent position.

As a Tobacco Dependency advisor, you will engage regularly with patients to offer advice, support, and treatment options. There will be a requirement to travel locally in some of the directorates as part of this role. The Advisor must have extensive experience of working within a mental health setting and prior experience of smoking cessation support would be an advantage, but not essential as full training will be provided.It is essential for this role that you will be fully supportive of the Trusts smokefree policy, acting as a smokefree champion as part of your work.

You must have the Right to Work in the UK in order to be successfully appointed to this role. Please note, this role does not meet the required eligibility criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa and therefore the Trust is unable to offer sponsorship for this particular role.

Main duties of the job

Support the assessment, development and implementation of treatment plans for patients identified as smokers throughout the treatment period whilst providing behavioural and motivational support.

Work with patients on a one to one or group basis where appropriate to assess and agree a treatment and support plan to meet their individual requirements.

Assessment and subsequent support may take place in a range of venues including a patient's own home.Report to the relevant tobacco dependency lead nurse on interventions and outcomes on a regular basis.

Ensure that the service adopts a Making Every Contact Count (MECC) approach in contacts with patients.

Develop and maintain relationships with individuals and their families to educate, facilitate and promote change, also identifying and managing any risks related to patient care.

Facilitate any transfer of care into Community Stop Smoking Services (CSSS) provision, such as Local Authority CSSS or primary care including GP or Pharmacy services.

Offer therapeutic and supportive interventions to support a quit attempt whilst maintaining patient confidentiality.

Take and record patients carbon monoxide monitor readings and practice safely within infection, prevention, and control measures.

Advise patients on the use of stop smoking pharmacotherapy, including NRT and E-cigarettes.

Contribute to the long-term development of the onsite tobacco dependency treatment service.

About us

As part of our established team, we aim to provide the best possible experience and outcomes for our patients, their carers/family members and our colleagues. We aim to be caring, compassionate and supportive Team members. We will value greatly each other's contributions and look to ensure the wellbeing of our staff members is a priority. We ensure the Team's culture will be based on honesty, openness, transparency and accountability. As part of the team, we will offer regular supervision and appraisals and a variety of learning/ personal development opportunities.

Job responsibilities

The successful candidate must have Basic Maths and English skills (minimum Functional Level 2) and NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent to be recruited into this position on Band 3.

Previous experience of working with people with mental/social health needs or learning disabilities is essential to the role. Applicants must have worked within Mental Health/Learning Disability services for an extensive time and have a passion for improving both the physical and mental health of patients in our care.

As a Tobacco Dependency Advisor, you will be based in one of the Trust main hospital sites and be responsible for supporting patients identified as using tobacco products to maintain a smokefree status during an admission.

Knowledge of the smokefree agenda is desirable but not essential as full training and support will be provided to the successful candidate to ensure they achieve all levels of training required to fulfil the role.

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.

Person Specification

Knowledge

• A knowledge and understanding of drivers of ill health
• Confidence in working with a wide variety of partners
• Motivational skills to inspire others
• Knowledge of tobacco dependency and treatment

Qualifications

• Basic Maths and English skills (minimum Functional Level 2)
• NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent
• National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training (NCSCT) Level 2 Practitioner Training - Inclusive of the Mental Health module

Experience

• Previous experience of working with people with mental/social health needs or learning disabilities
• Previous experience as a Band 2/3 HCA or equivalent in a care environment
• Self awareness around limitations and competencies and ability to work within them

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

£25,760 to £27,476 a year(pro rata) per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time,Part-time,Flexible working,Compressed hours