Enhanced Practitioner - Shared Care Drug & Alcohol Service

Job responsibilities

To provide a specialist and advanced professional contribution to the clinical management of patients attending within their specialist area.

Work within the national clinical management guideline in line with the Drug Misuse and Dependence: UK Government on Clinical Management- Department of health & Social care 2017.

Carry out a health check at a minimum annually incorporating Hepatitis B&C, & HIV- where appropriate and evidence of Hepatitis B vaccinations where applicable. Examples include but not limited to wound care, contraception, blood borne virus testing and immunisation, smoking cessation services, and mental health interventions.

Carry out comprehensive assessment of patients with drug and alcohol needs, including physical and mental health screening.

Undertake comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments of patients with substance misuse disorders

Diagnose and manage drug and alcohol dependence, withdrawal syndromes, and co-morbid conditions

Develop and deliver individualised care plans focused on harm reduction, stabilisation and health checks

Initiate and manage opioid substitution therapy- OSTand alcohol detoxification plans

Prescribe independently in line with national and local guidelines, supporting safe prescribing pathways in collaboration with GPs and pharmacists.

Manage complex presentations including dual diagnosis, safeguarding concerns, and high-risk behaviours

Provide brief clinical interventions, motivational interviewing, and relapse prevention strategies, including detox support, wound care , vaccinations and medication prescription where appropriate.

Monitor treatment effectiveness, side effects, and adherence

Manage acute presentations related to substance misuse, including overdose risk and withdrawal

Actively work with Recovery Co-ordinator to support the individual to engage in a range of interventions and treatment options, to include substitute opiate prescribing and alcohol detoxification prescribing.

To supply point of care drug screening equipment.

Ensure the person has access to and is holding naloxone.

To supply DBTS kits.

Attend Multi-Disciplinary Team meeting with the GP to discuss complex cases with recovery Steps Cumbria.

Use a combination of skills, knowledge, values and self-esteem to manage change and move beyond competency, moving from experienced to expert in area of specialism.

Working at an enhanced level of practice- with strong autonomous decision making within scope of practice and current competencies Practice with autonomy and accountability.

To be responsible for the follow up of the patients under their care.

Adhere to the NMC/ HCPC/ professional body Code: Standards of Conduct, Performance and ethics for nurses / professional body at all times.

To undertake assessments for clinical risk within the service and ensure all staff are aware of responsibilities and related policies.

To participate in the identification, development, implementation and dissemination of local clinical protocols, policies, procedures, guidelines relating to individualised specialist service; which includes their management ensuring clinical governance is maintained.

Other requirements

Essential

• Full clean driving licence

Personal attributes

Essential

• Positive attitude, self-motivated
• Willingness to learn new skills
• Ability to work with a team and independently

Desirable

• Ability to adapt to change within working situation

Experience

Essential

• Advanced clinical assessment and diagnostic skills
• Strong knowledge of substance misuse pharmacology and harm reduction
• Excellent communication and motivational interviewing skills
• Ability to manage risk, safeguarding, and complex psychosocial needs
• Non-medical prescribing experience in substance misuse
• Specialist substance misuse expertise
• Significant and extensive experience within Drug and Alcohol miss-use.

Desirable

• EMIS clinical system

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered healthcare professional (NMC / HCPC)
• Independent Prescriber (V300)
• Possess the right to work in the UK and be on the performers register
• Evidence of continuous professional development
• Significant post-qualification experience in substance misuse

Desirable

• RCGP Certificate in the Management of Drug Misuse (Part 1) and
• RCGP in in the Management of Alcohol problems in Primary Care
• Masters degree or equivalent qualification

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).