Job responsibilities
Job Summary:
The key function of this job is to support the smooth, efficient, and effective running of the Tobacco Dependence Treatment (TDT) service. The post holder is responsible for supporting the TDT Team as the Team are based in University Hospital Lewisham (UHL) and Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).
The post-holder will assist the department in the efficient running and delivery of smoking cessation service at UHL and QEH, including the ward-based service. They will independently carry out assessments with patients to identify them as current smokers who wish to access smoking cessation support. They will be expected to work under their own initiative but with access to support and supervision from senior colleagues.
They will provide a key role in the management of adults who smoke and are admitted to the inpatient wards. The post-holder will have a good knowledge of smoking cessation, including the practical and safety aspects of smoking cessation brief advice as well as NRT provision. Under the supervision of the smoking cessation practitioners, they will enter data as required, contributing to patients assessment and progress through the service. They will support with administrative tasks as needed and be responsible for the regular maintenance of smoking cessation equipment.
To proactively engage patients, staff, and visitors to reinforce the ward-based TDT interventions, smokefree grounds policy, and to encourage smokers to access the available treatment services.
The post holder will assist in the triaging of referrals to the smoking cessation service and complete telephone reviews as required. The post holder is expected to always maintain complete confidentiality.
1. Accountable to the TDT Specialists.
2. To screen, advise and support patients during inpatient admissions so they can remain Smokefree.
3. To contribute to the smooth running of the service, supporting the Team and other colleagues
Key Result Areas & Performance:
1. To provide a smoking cessation service to patients and staff with appropriate therapeutic advice and interventions on the wards, in clinics, and through outreach to staff and visitors.
2. Provide effective stop smoking support for inpatients and staff of the acute Trust who want to stop smoking.
3. Ensure that the opt out system for Very Brief Advice, stop smoking medication offer and onward referral to stop smoking services is followed. Ensure that everyone who expresses an interest in stopping smoking is given information to understand what services can be offered to them.
4. To provide short-term cover for TDT Team colleagues during periods of leave
5. To work as part of a multidisciplinary team to ensure the best service for patients.
6. To utilise excellent communication skills when instructing patients in the use of Carbon Monoxide (CO) monitoring equipment, safety aspects of nicotine withdrawal and replacement management. Be able to communicate sensitively with patients who may be terminally ill (heart failure, cancer) or have barriers to understanding (e.g. CVA, poor cognition).
7. Assist in the delivery of Brief Intervention training and other training sessions for staff related to smoking cessation.
8. Assist and contribute to other educational events/promotions provided by the Trust.
9. Keep informed of developments and innovation in practice and ensure all training information is up to date and evidence based.
10. Participate in the development of the TDT/ Community Stop Smoking Service.
11. To have a good working knowledge of IT systems and be able to enter and update information on the relevant IT system as required.
12. To proactively engage with stakeholders and key partners and to represent the team while promoting the service.
13. To arrange meetings, taking messages and facilitating communication across all sites involved as required.
14. To be available to help train new staff in the use of the IT systems and all local databases.
15. Flexible working to cover all duties, organising own day to day work, multi-tasking as necessary.
16. To undertake any other duties commensurate with the job where needed to ensure the smooth and effective running of the service as and when required.
17. Support clinical and non-clinical areas to develop a smokefree culture and to adhere to the Trust-wide Smokefree policy.
Work force
1. To attend and participate in departmental staff meetings and other meetings relevant to the post.
2. To attend any relevant mandatory or personal development days and in-house training sessions as required.
3. To take part in the Departments Personal Appraisal Scheme and PDP as necessary.
4. To create and maintain data or systems relating to Lewisham Stop Smoking/TDT Service staff as required by Management i.e. Client referrals and Quit Manager.
Financial
1. This post has no specific budgetary responsibilities
2. As part of the team, take responsibility for the effective and efficient use of resources, being aware of resource requirements and limitations.
3. Ensure all equipment and supplies in the clinical area are maintained to enable delivery of efficient and safe care.
4. As part of the team, evaluate equipment and make recommendations relevant to purchasing policies in conjunction with Procurement.
Partnerships
Communications and Relationships
Work as a member of the LGT Stop Smoking Team and to integrate the acute and community aspects of the service.
Develop partnerships with other departments, organisations, and health and social care professionals to promote stop smoking services.
Work closely with colleagues from local stop smoking services and TDTs in SEL region to make referrals, share experience, and best practice.
Ensure that stop smoking services are widely promoted through clinical leads and managers, personal recommendations, social events, displays, exhibitions, media, conferences, reports, and publications. Work with key partners in the Communications team and link smokefree messages to all health promotions.
Other colleagues from key stakeholder groups i.e. Ward/Pharmacy managers and staff
Hospital and Community Health Professionals
Other Professionals i.e. Social Workers
General
This section should be used to describe the nature and frequency including the physical, mental, emotional, and environmental demands of the job e.g.:
To visit multiple wards and areas across the hospital site each day.
To transport resources around the hospital site.
To work across the UHL and QEH sites, as required.
To demonstrate good keyboard skills.
To be competent in the use of a range of IT systems and be able to enter and update information on the relevant IT system as required.
To provide minimal manual handling skills - moving stationery orders etc.
To maintain concentration in a fast-paced environment with lots of distractions.
To engage and support patients from a diverse section of the local population.
To communicate with patient group who have a chronic disease/palliative.
To support individuals in acute states of emotional distress.
