Job responsibilities
Role Purpose
To provide specialist nursing assessment, brief interventions and care for patients with
drug and/or alcohol related health and social needs who present to hospitals and other
secondary care facilities
To provide clinical support and advice to reduce harm, facilitate safe inpatient care and
create rapid, person-centred pathways to community treatment and recovery services on
discharge.
To support collaborative working practices both within Vias defined portfolios and with
hospital teams and secondary care partners (.e.g. alcohol liaison teams, hepatology)
Key duties and activities of the role
Within a defined scope of practice and using agreed clinical screening tools, clinical
knowledge and experience, develop person-centred discharge plans and direct referral
pathways into community drug & alcohol services and partner agencies.
Hold a caseload to provide brief interventions (e.g. naloxone provision/advice, safer
injecting advice, BBV screening and vaccination pathways), evidence based low-level
psychosocial support and motivational interviewing to encourage engagement with
treatment and reduce immediate harms.
Play a key role in supporting relationships by acting as a liaison between Via, secondary
care partners and partner agencies (including housing, mental health and third sector
parties) and by provide training, education and support to nurses, medical staff and other
allied health professionals around screening and advice for alcohol and substance
misuse.
Identify and respond to safeguarding concerns both internally through participation in
MDT meetings and externally by supporting complex discharge planning, and case
referrals (e.g. MARAC).
Working within local and national clinical governance frameworks (e.g. NICE, the orange
guide) and using Vias evidence based policies and pathways for substance misuse,
maintain accurate clinical records, contribute to service activity, data collection and
auditing (e.g. referral numbers, BBV vaccination/BBV screening uptake, naloxone
distribution and detox outcomes).
Working to the principles of Nursing practice and the pillars, contribute to peer led
supervision, teaching and education and service improvement projects including the
continued development of the capability framework for the Drug & Alcohol treatment &
recovery workforce.
JD [Hospital Liaison Nurse]
Care Be human Do the right thing
Page 2 of 3
Person specification for the role
Essential
Passion for working with substance misuse services or with other socially excluded or
vulnerable groups
Registered Nurse (Adult) with current NMC registration with at least 2 years post registration
experience and 1 years experience working within substance misuse treatment and or alcohol
related illnesses.
Demonstrable clinical assessment skills including risk assessment, withdrawal risk and
physical health assessments.
Knowledge of harm reduction approaches, BBV testing/vaccination pathways, naloxone
and overdose prevention best practice.
Able to work autonomously to make clinical decisions and escalate appropriately using
good communication and motivational interviewing skills; ability to engage people in
chaotic circumstances.
Able to travel as required (i.e.in possession of a valid UK driving licence with access to
own vehicle or demonstrate how you will meet the travelling requirements of the role) for
the role.
Desirable
Previous hospital liaison experience or experience working in an ED/inpatient environment
including facilitating patient/people who uses our services education.
Training in substance misuse specific interventions (e.g. alcohol care training, RCGP part
1) or qualification in addictions/dual-diagnosis care.
Responsibilities for all Via staff
To work within the Via values of Care, Be human and Do the right thing. Support and
collaborate with all colleagues and engage with the wider organisation.
To promote and deliver positive, inclusive and anti-discriminatory practices in line with VIA
policies, professional and sector requirements, and legislative frameworks.
To act on all Safeguarding concerns so that all statutory and organisational Safeguarding
responsibilities are met and that all learning is shared.
To observe professional integrity and candour at all times and with all people.
To comply with all organisational policies and procedures including GDPR and all Health
and Safety policy and guidance, taking responsibility for your own safety and contributing
to that of colleagues and others as applicable.
To regularly participate in one-to-one / supervision sessions, objective setting and review,
training, practice and learning forums.
A commitment to learning and to continuously improve everyones knowledge and skills.
JD [Hospital Liaison Nurse]
Care Be human Do the right thing
Page 3 of 3
To work flexibly to enable the delivery of effective services. This may
include flexibility across sites or flexible hours and any other duties that may reasonably
be required of you within your role
