Tobacco Dependence Link Worker

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the service medicine (respiratory directorate). We are looking for a highly motivated individual to work with the Smoking Cessation/Tobacco Dependence Treatment team. The successful applicant will be responsible for delivering behavioural stop smoking support throughout the service area, whilst being compliant to national and local standards, and assisting in the delivery of outreach.

Main duties of the job

The main responsibilities for this role are as follows

• To provide a smoking cessation service to patients and staff with appropriate therapeutic advice and interventions on the wards, in clinics and outreach to staff and visitors.
• Providing effective stop smoking support for inpatients, outpatients and staff of the acute Trust who want to stop smoking.
• 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.
• Offer a range of services in the Trust to meet different needs and preferences
• To actively contribute to the modernisation and forward movement of both the Smoking Cessation Service and StG. To be aware of changes within the NHS, both nationally and regionally and the potential impact of national and local policies on the Smoking Cessation Service.
• To participate in the process of change to improve department standards and communication links between primary, secondary and tertiary care.

About us

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a thriving Foundation Trust at the heart of an integrated healthcare system. One that delivers improved patient care at a community, hospital and specialist setting, supported by a unique and nationally recognised programme of research, education and employee engagement.

We expect all our staff to share the values that are important to the Trust, being Excellent, Kind, Responsible & Respectful, and behave in a way that reflects these.

The NHS Long Term Plan tobacco objectives set out clear commitments for NHS action to improve prevention by tackling avoidable illness such as Tobacco Dependency by supporting patients, service users and staff to overcome their tobacco dependence. This will not only provide improvements in their health but reduce health inequalities and decrease demand on services by reducing the number of smoking related admissions and readmissions to hospital.