Job summary
We are looking for enthusiastic, motivated, caring and creative people to come and join us and work within an exciting and fast paced environment that provides high quality addictions and recovery care to a diverse service user group.
We are offering an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 RGN or RMN to become an important, member of our highly regarded Harm Reduction Pathway within the consortium. You will be supporting our existing harm reduction interventions such as HCV clinic, needle exchanges, BBV and sexual health interventions, smoking cessation and naloxone provision whilst supporting new developments and innovations.
The Harm Reduction Nurse would be responsible for the pathway and ensuring the pathway is operating safe and effectively, delivering on all performance targets reducing drug related harm to clients and wider community.
Main duties of the job
The objective of the Harm Reduction Pathway is to minimise harms physically, mentally and socially associated to an individual's substance use. This treatment pathway offers a lucrative opportunity to be creative with regards to health promotion.
RWCDAS provides an excellent, high-quality treatment offer to service users across the boroughs of Richmond and Wandsworth who are keen to seek support for their substance use. Our services are busy and dynamic, currently operating across 2 core sites within each borough. The service proudly also has access to wider recovery links and nodes within the local area, including those utilised by our outreach team, homeless pathway and group programme.
The post-holder will be expected to work across our treatment pathways however will largely be based within each core site and hold an interest in the traditional harms associated to substance use and be curious to the potential wider holistic implications affecting service user health and wellbeing.
About us
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provide the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK as well as substance misuse services for people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. We work closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London and are part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre. There are very few organisations in the world that have such wide-ranging capabilities working with mental illness. Our scope is unique because it is built on three major foundations: care and treatment, science and research, and training.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To hold responsibility for the Harm Reduction Treatment Pathway within the consortium
- To discharge professional responsibilities under the Mental Health Act (1983) and revised subsequent act Mental Capacity Act (2005) and the NMC Professional Code of Conduct and SLaM commitments.
- To understand the principles of harm reduction in relation to a vast array of substances (licit and illicit) recognising the benefits of using this framework when working with service users
- Work holistically to promote service user wellbeing by facilitating access intocommunity and specialist resources. Promoting and empowering service users to improve their own health and wellbeing as well as creating a safe space for clients to be transparent about their treatment needs
- To promote and facilitate individuals into both abstinence based and medically assisted forms of recovery and recognise the importance of supporting those who are not currently pursuing abstinence
- To improve access to smoking cessation advice
- To support practice which aims to reduce drug related harms to the service user. Empowering staff within the consortium to deliver evidence-based examples of harm reduction throughout treatment journey
- To support the Blood Borne Virus (BBV) pathway, maintaining and developing relationships with external agencies/professionals vital to treatment facilitation. The Harm Reduction Nurse will support senior Harm Reduction and hepatology staff with the provision BBV treatment and oversight/upkeep of clinical documentation as well as data associated to BBV within RWCDAS. The Harm Reduction Nurse will support staff education and awareness of the impact of BBV as well as the importance of screening and treatment availability
- Ensure clinical procedures such as: Blood Borne Virus (BBV) screening (dry blood spot, capillary blood test and phlebotomy), IM injections and soft tissue care are safely delivered, supporting the core team on occasion with nurse led clinics
- The Harm Reduction nurse will help lead on the development of on-site BBV screening/prevention opportunities which will be delivered effectively and safely, via phlebotomy, capillary blood testing and Hepatitis B vaccination
- The Harm Reduction Nurse will support oversight of Needle Exchange service within the consortium. To ensure service offers high quality equipment with intention of developing service in accordance to Public Health England recommendation within NICE guidelines
- The Harm Reduction Nurse will support management and oversight of Naloxone provision, empowering service users and staff to feel able to challenge and recognise risk associated to overdose both in relation to opioids and other substances
- The Harm Reduction Nurse will support senior Harm Reduction Staff with the delivery of Harm Reduction training sessions to a range of colleagues, professionals, and service users. Ensuring information and content is current and representative of national guidelines. To continue developing training packages and opportunities for colleagues, external professionals, and service users.
- To hold management of a small, defined caseload of clients who have been identified as requiring specialist harm reduction intervention. Inclusive of nurse specific responsibilities such as BBV, vaccinations, sexual health, soft tissue care and health promotion
- The Harm Reduction Nurse will represent the pathway throughout the consortium however will be expected to work closely with outreach pathway, delivering care and harm reduction intervention to individuals traditionally, on the peripheral of core treatment
- To be keen to develop ones own knowledge of core drug and alcohol treatment, working collaboratively with multi-disciplinary team on promoting health and wellbeing of clients using drugs and alcohol. To fully inform service users about their healthcare options, involve them in decisions and consent, and encourage them to take opportunities to achieve a sustained improvement in healthcare
- To support management of data representation associated to Harm Reduction pathway
- The recording of clinical case notes is of a high standard, that recording is undertaken within the required timeframes and shared appropriately
- To actively promote and encourage service user and carer involvement in the service
- To deliver Harm Reduction support to consortiums community engagement pathway, promoting service involvement in wider health promotion campaigns as well as management and inclusivity of volunteer staff within this pathway
- To work collaboratively, creatively and flexibly with other pathways within the consortium as well external agencies, peers and volunteers
- To participate in the Consortiums Group Training Program, SLaM mandatory training and the Consortium Duty and Triage rotas as required
- To actively engage in opportunities for learning and development at an individual and team level.
- To form productive working relationships with external agencies and professionals, existing and new, to ensure that service users have access to a wide range of recovery and community resources.
- To personify a positive, collaborative and recovery-focused work ethic.
- To present a professional appearance, help maintain an orderly working environment
- To ensure that all visitors to the service (including service users, families/carers, professionals and the general public) are welcomed in a responsive, helpful and professional manner
- To attend meetings at appointed times, maintain professional personnel and service user records and meet deadlines
- To proactively maintain professional knowledge and practice and attend, use and contribute to supervision and team meetings effectively
- To assess risk and safeguarding issues and ensure service users and children are protected
- To work within professional boundaries maintaining safety and appropriate confidentiality at all times.
- To ensure services and duties are delivered in compliance with the law and relevant national and local policies, standards and guidance, including the CQC, NTA, NICE and other quality standards
- To read and comply with policies and procedures
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To hold responsibility for the Harm Reduction Treatment Pathway within the consortium
- To discharge professional responsibilities under the Mental Health Act (1983) and revised subsequent act Mental Capacity Act (2005) and the NMC Professional Code of Conduct and SLaM commitments.
- To understand the principles of harm reduction in relation to a vast array of substances (licit and illicit) recognising the benefits of using this framework when working with service users
- Work holistically to promote service user wellbeing by facilitating access intocommunity and specialist resources. Promoting and empowering service users to improve their own health and wellbeing as well as creating a safe space for clients to be transparent about their treatment needs
- To promote and facilitate individuals into both abstinence based and medically assisted forms of recovery and recognise the importance of supporting those who are not currently pursuing abstinence
- To improve access to smoking cessation advice
- To support practice which aims to reduce drug related harms to the service user. Empowering staff within the consortium to deliver evidence-based examples of harm reduction throughout treatment journey
- To support the Blood Borne Virus (BBV) pathway, maintaining and developing relationships with external agencies/professionals vital to treatment facilitation. The Harm Reduction Nurse will support senior Harm Reduction and hepatology staff with the provision BBV treatment and oversight/upkeep of clinical documentation as well as data associated to BBV within RWCDAS. The Harm Reduction Nurse will support staff education and awareness of the impact of BBV as well as the importance of screening and treatment availability
- Ensure clinical procedures such as: Blood Borne Virus (BBV) screening (dry blood spot, capillary blood test and phlebotomy), IM injections and soft tissue care are safely delivered, supporting the core team on occasion with nurse led clinics
- The Harm Reduction nurse will help lead on the development of on-site BBV screening/prevention opportunities which will be delivered effectively and safely, via phlebotomy, capillary blood testing and Hepatitis B vaccination
- The Harm Reduction Nurse will support oversight of Needle Exchange service within the consortium. To ensure service offers high quality equipment with intention of developing service in accordance to Public Health England recommendation within NICE guidelines
- The Harm Reduction Nurse will support management and oversight of Naloxone provision, empowering service users and staff to feel able to challenge and recognise risk associated to overdose both in relation to opioids and other substances
- The Harm Reduction Nurse will support senior Harm Reduction Staff with the delivery of Harm Reduction training sessions to a range of colleagues, professionals, and service users. Ensuring information and content is current and representative of national guidelines. To continue developing training packages and opportunities for colleagues, external professionals, and service users.
- To hold management of a small, defined caseload of clients who have been identified as requiring specialist harm reduction intervention. Inclusive of nurse specific responsibilities such as BBV, vaccinations, sexual health, soft tissue care and health promotion
- The Harm Reduction Nurse will represent the pathway throughout the consortium however will be expected to work closely with outreach pathway, delivering care and harm reduction intervention to individuals traditionally, on the peripheral of core treatment
- To be keen to develop ones own knowledge of core drug and alcohol treatment, working collaboratively with multi-disciplinary team on promoting health and wellbeing of clients using drugs and alcohol. To fully inform service users about their healthcare options, involve them in decisions and consent, and encourage them to take opportunities to achieve a sustained improvement in healthcare
- To support management of data representation associated to Harm Reduction pathway
- The recording of clinical case notes is of a high standard, that recording is undertaken within the required timeframes and shared appropriately
- To actively promote and encourage service user and carer involvement in the service
- To deliver Harm Reduction support to consortiums community engagement pathway, promoting service involvement in wider health promotion campaigns as well as management and inclusivity of volunteer staff within this pathway
- To work collaboratively, creatively and flexibly with other pathways within the consortium as well external agencies, peers and volunteers
- To participate in the Consortiums Group Training Program, SLaM mandatory training and the Consortium Duty and Triage rotas as required
- To actively engage in opportunities for learning and development at an individual and team level.
- To form productive working relationships with external agencies and professionals, existing and new, to ensure that service users have access to a wide range of recovery and community resources.
- To personify a positive, collaborative and recovery-focused work ethic.
- To present a professional appearance, help maintain an orderly working environment
- To ensure that all visitors to the service (including service users, families/carers, professionals and the general public) are welcomed in a responsive, helpful and professional manner
- To attend meetings at appointed times, maintain professional personnel and service user records and meet deadlines
- To proactively maintain professional knowledge and practice and attend, use and contribute to supervision and team meetings effectively
- To assess risk and safeguarding issues and ensure service users and children are protected
- To work within professional boundaries maintaining safety and appropriate confidentiality at all times.
- To ensure services and duties are delivered in compliance with the law and relevant national and local policies, standards and guidance, including the CQC, NTA, NICE and other quality standards
- To read and comply with policies and procedures
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse
- Evidence of continuing professional development and training
- Willingness to work towards an NMP qualification if not yet achieved
Desirable
- Diploma or degree level qualification in addictions or related area of practice such as CBT, dual diagnosis, etc.
- Non-Medical Prescriber
- Mentorship Qualifications and updates
Knowledge
Essential
- A thorough understanding of harm reduction in relation to injecting behaviour as well as safer sexual practices
- Knowledge of potential physical, psycho-social problems among this client group and appropriate interventions to address them
- Knowledge of crack/stimulant interventions
- Knowledge of PIEDs interventions
- Knowledge of NPS/"club drugs" interventions
- Strong understanding of harm reduction, and relapse prevention in relation to substance misuse and planning recovery
- An understanding of the current issues affecting substance misuse services
- Effective assessment and engagement skills
- Effective care planning skills
- Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to negotiate with clients to influence positive outcomes
- Ability to be flexible and thrive in a rapidly changing environment
- Ability to organise and manage time effectively and work autonomously
- Ability to work effectively with clients with drug/alcohol assessments prioritise referrals
- Ability to effectively evaluate care using audit and outcome measurements
- IT skills in relation to clinical notes and report writing
Desirable
- Experience of and skills in delivering training
- Experience of supervising/managing junior staff and students
Experience
Essential
- Experience and evidence of ability to produce formal written reports
- Experience of supervising staff or students
- Experience of using word processing and database use as well as a willingness to improve existing skill base
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
- Experience of liaison with statutory and non-statutory services
Desirable
- Experience of working in the community
- Experience of the management of clients with complex needs
- Phlebotomy training
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse
- Evidence of continuing professional development and training
- Willingness to work towards an NMP qualification if not yet achieved
Desirable
- Diploma or degree level qualification in addictions or related area of practice such as CBT, dual diagnosis, etc.
- Non-Medical Prescriber
- Mentorship Qualifications and updates
Knowledge
Essential
- A thorough understanding of harm reduction in relation to injecting behaviour as well as safer sexual practices
- Knowledge of potential physical, psycho-social problems among this client group and appropriate interventions to address them
- Knowledge of crack/stimulant interventions
- Knowledge of PIEDs interventions
- Knowledge of NPS/"club drugs" interventions
- Strong understanding of harm reduction, and relapse prevention in relation to substance misuse and planning recovery
- An understanding of the current issues affecting substance misuse services
- Effective assessment and engagement skills
- Effective care planning skills
- Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to negotiate with clients to influence positive outcomes
- Ability to be flexible and thrive in a rapidly changing environment
- Ability to organise and manage time effectively and work autonomously
- Ability to work effectively with clients with drug/alcohol assessments prioritise referrals
- Ability to effectively evaluate care using audit and outcome measurements
- IT skills in relation to clinical notes and report writing
Desirable
- Experience of and skills in delivering training
- Experience of supervising/managing junior staff and students
Experience
Essential
- Experience and evidence of ability to produce formal written reports
- Experience of supervising staff or students
- Experience of using word processing and database use as well as a willingness to improve existing skill base
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
- Experience of liaison with statutory and non-statutory services
Desirable
- Experience of working in the community
- Experience of the management of clients with complex needs
- Phlebotomy training
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
