GDAS Drug and Alcohol Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

· Undertake assessments for all drug and alcohol service users as indicated in our prescribing policy and use the outcome to determine safe treatment as required.

· Undertake risk assessments and contribute to risk management plans for service users engaged in the service.

· Undertake physical and mental health assessments for people who access our services when indicated by clinical need and ensure appropriate sign posting/referral to primary care or appropriate secondary health care services for identified health issues.

· Undertake clinical duties such as; urine testing, saliva testing, taking blood pressure, using alcoholmeter, venepuncture, basic wound dressing and monitoring physical health e.g. Weight and diet. Report, advise and initiate treatment changes based on results.

· Undertake phlebotomy, as required, ensuring adherence to identified pathways for blood sample labelling, collection, obtaining results and signposting.

· Use blood results to support the assessment the current health status of service users, the need for specialist medical referral and the suitability for community detoxification.

· Undertake basic life support and anaphylaxis training so you are confident and competent to manage a medical emergency including the administration of emergency drugs

· To work with others to ensure service users have timely access to safe and effective prescribing for community detoxification from substances, across operational sites.

· Plan and implement programmes of care, monitor and review of interventions and carry continuing responsibility for a caseload where identified.

· Work in conjunction with service doctors, monitoring and overseeing clinical interventions / treatments and lead in the management of a clinical care package to an individual who uses the service.

· Ensure that there is effective communication of treatments offered, treatment progress and outcome of any investigations to other healthcare agencies, including GP’s.

· Assist in the process for opiate/alcohol service users as required by service need to ensure the service user achieves an optimum dose of OST.

· Working with colleagues in the service to deliver community drug and alcohol treatment plans utilising a care co-ordinated approach to service user care.

· Undertake community alcohol detoxification either at the service or at the service user’s home (where appropriate)

· Administration of Buvidal and other medications as required

· Adhere to Controlled Drug, Safe storage requirements and administration of medications

· Provide education, health promotion and screening for blood borne viruses (BBV) and provide Hepatitis B vaccinations when indicated.

· Work within and consolidate integrated care and treatment pathways for individuals who are identified as being infected with BBV/s (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and/or HIV).

· To take part in assessing the suitability for transfer of clients to Shared Care services within the community.

· Where indicated, refer for specialist inpatient services (including detoxification) and liaise with hospital and inpatient unit staff.

· Ensure that all revalidation requirements are being met and communicated to line manager.

· Attend meetings appropriate to the development and maintenance of the role in agreement with and under the direction of the clinical management team.

· Record and input client data and information in order that the service operates within contractual, administrative, and financial requirements.

Ensure that all data requirements in relation to service users are met within defined deadlines.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• *Record Keeping
• *Demonstrate skills to undertake administrative duties.
• *Show a capacity to work alone and the ability to keep calm under pressure.
• *Evidence of continuing professional development
• *Awareness of professional boundaries

Desirable

• *Relevant recent experience of working within drug and alcohol treatment.
• *Sound and demonstrable knowledge of clinical prescribing issues.
• *Knowledge of the issues facing substance misusers including appropriate medical interventions, social care, and health issues.

Training

Essential

• *Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care
• *Knowledge of the safe storage and administration of medication requirements

Desirable

• *Trained in phlebotomy
• *Injection administration
• *Awareness of health issues related to substance misuse

Qualifications

Essential

• *First level registered nurse with a current PIN.

Desirable

• *Qualification(s) in substance misuse
• *Recent relevant post qualification experience

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Kaleidoscope Project

Address

Gwent Drug & Alcohol Service

St. Fagans Street

Caerphilly

Mid Glamorgan

CF83 1FZ

Employer's website

https://www.kaleidoscopeproject.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)