South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Dual Diagnosis Practitioner

The closing date is 27 May 2025

Job summary

The post holder will work as a dual diagnosis/substance misuse nurse specialist within the MentalHealth Liaison Team (MHLT) at University Hospital Lewisham to provide dual diagnosis/substancemisuse expertise and facilitate co-ordinated service delivery for people aged 18+ with suspected coexisting mental health and substance misuse issues. The post holder will help address many of theco-morbid drug/substance misuse related issues that can, in some circumstances, lead to delay inassessment times.The post holder will promote high standards of assessment and treatment of people of anyone aged18+, including older adults, with suspected or co-existing mental health and substance misuseproblems, based on the best available evidence, within the expected response times set out forurgent referrals from the ED and inpatient wards.The post holder will forge strong inter-agency alliances.The post holder will need to work with colleagues in the MHLTs to help achieve the expectedoutcomes expected outcomes set out by NHS England including- Reduce the number of frequent attenders presenting to A&E/MHLT- Reduce the number of hospital admissions of Frequent Attenders- Increase engagement of service users with substance misuse services- Increase knowledge and skills of the MHLT and acute trust colleagues working with peoplewith DD

Main duties of the job

The post holder will lead on developing collaborative plans with service users who attend A&E on afrequent basis with suspected co-existing mental health and substance misuse issuesThe post holder will lead on providing expert dual diagnosis knowledge to the MHLT/Acute Trust andto key stakeholders involved.The post holder will lead the development and delivery of dual diagnosis practice in the MHLT in linewith national best practice guidance, NICE and DoH guidance, and Trust policy in consultation withsenior dual diagnosis colleagues.The post holder will work with colleagues to develop their knowledge, skills and confidence inworking with people with dual diagnosis.The post holder will support the development of excellent relationships with SLaM teams andpartner agencies to promote effective collaborative working and seamless care pathways.

The post holder will liaise, communicate effectively and update the Team Leader accordingly for theMHLT on a frequent basis to feedback progress and highlight any areas of focus or concern inrelation to substance issues inclusive of poor practice, unhelpful staff attitudes and behaviour andomissions of care.The post holder will work closely with all members of the MDT to increase professional workingknowledge of substance misuse within the liaison setting. This includes assessment, treatment,management and evaluation of care for service users who present with substance misuse issues.

About us

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provide the widest range of NHS mentalhealth services in the UK as well as substance misuse services for people who are addicted to drugsand 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. Thereare very few organisations in the world that have such wide-ranging capabilities working with mentalillness. Our scope is unique because it is built on three major foundations: care and treatment,science and research, and training.SLaM employ around 5000 staff and serve a local population of 1.1 million people. We have morethan 230 services including inpatient wards, outpatient and community services. Currently, provideinpatient care for approximately 5,300 people each year and treat more than 45,000 patients in thecommunity in Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark; as well as substance misuse services forresidents of Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich.By coming to work at SLaM, you will gain experience of being part of an organisation with a richhistory and international reputation in mental health care. You will have access to professional development and learning opportunities, and have the chance to work alongside people who areworld leaders in their field.

Details

Date posted

15 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£54,320 to £60,981 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

334-NUR-7125965-LF-A

Job locations

Ladywell Unit, University Hospital Lewisham

Lewisham High Street

London

SE13 6LW


Job description

Job responsibilities

Provide clinical expertise and support in assessment, care planning and the delivery andevaluation of interventions to people with co-morbid mental health, physical health andsubstance misuse problems Implement systems to ensure that all service users are being assessed for alcohol anddrug use as part of a comprehensive assessment and information is recorded using theappropriate tools on EPJS (the Trust electronic data record system) and within the Acutetrusts notes system, in line with Trust standards Implement an outpatient clinic that allows service users to attend for further assessmentand engagement following presentation to accident and emergency or discharge frominpatient care at St Thomas Promote the involvement of all relevant stakeholders in the assessment, care anddischarge processes, both at initial presentation and for longer termliaison/communication Ensure that all service users with dual diagnosis are offered health education information,information about local substance misuse services and self-help/mutual aid groups toenable them to make informed choices about their on-going care/treatment Lead development of, and support liaison with, local substance misuse services topromote effective engagement/transfer of care when appropriate Facilitate carers/family members involvement in assessment and care planning whereappropriate and ensure they are offered information about substance misuse supportgroups Seek regular clinical supervision to ensure own continuous professional development andkeeping up to date with any advances in the field Support reviews of any Serious Incident in relation to dual diagnosis cases as appropriate To deputise for the MHLT Team Leader in their absence

Job description

Job responsibilities

Provide clinical expertise and support in assessment, care planning and the delivery andevaluation of interventions to people with co-morbid mental health, physical health andsubstance misuse problems Implement systems to ensure that all service users are being assessed for alcohol anddrug use as part of a comprehensive assessment and information is recorded using theappropriate tools on EPJS (the Trust electronic data record system) and within the Acutetrusts notes system, in line with Trust standards Implement an outpatient clinic that allows service users to attend for further assessmentand engagement following presentation to accident and emergency or discharge frominpatient care at St Thomas Promote the involvement of all relevant stakeholders in the assessment, care anddischarge processes, both at initial presentation and for longer termliaison/communication Ensure that all service users with dual diagnosis are offered health education information,information about local substance misuse services and self-help/mutual aid groups toenable them to make informed choices about their on-going care/treatment Lead development of, and support liaison with, local substance misuse services topromote effective engagement/transfer of care when appropriate Facilitate carers/family members involvement in assessment and care planning whereappropriate and ensure they are offered information about substance misuse supportgroups Seek regular clinical supervision to ensure own continuous professional development andkeeping up to date with any advances in the field Support reviews of any Serious Incident in relation to dual diagnosis cases as appropriate To deputise for the MHLT Team Leader in their absence

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

  • A qualification in mental health nursing (RMN or part 13 of the NMC register), general nursing (RGN or part 12 or the NMC register)
  • Professional registration with NMC
  • Evidence of continuing professional development
  • Mentorship/ENB998 or other Assessment and/or Teaching in Practice equivalent qualifications

Desirable

  • A qualification in a relevant area of practice
  • Degree in nursing or relevant profession
  • Non-Medical Prescriber

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive post qualification experience of working with/managing a caseload of people with co-occurring mental health and substance misuse problems
  • Working in busy challenging clinical setting and prioritising duties to maintain safety
  • Liaison with a range of professionals and agencies
  • Supporting the implementation of clinical practice improvement initiatives

Desirable

  • Working clinically within a substance misuse team
  • Involvement in audit projects and research

Knowledge / Skills and abilities

Essential

  • Current MH, substance misuse policy and best practice guidance and legislation
  • Understanding of and commitment to principles of equal opportunity, fair access and service user empowerment
  • Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment for people with co-occurring MH and substance use issues
  • Using relevant tools and guidelines to facilitate comprehensive assessments, plan, implement and evaluate the care of individuals with complex needs
  • Work collaboratively across teams and organisational boundaries, negotiating complex organisational structures and processes
  • Communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with service users, carers and colleagues

Desirable

  • Knowledge of relevant legislation
  • Ability to facilitate therapeutic groups
  • The ability to demonstrate and develop leadership skills
  • Ability to deliver team teaching/training
Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

  • A qualification in mental health nursing (RMN or part 13 of the NMC register), general nursing (RGN or part 12 or the NMC register)
  • Professional registration with NMC
  • Evidence of continuing professional development
  • Mentorship/ENB998 or other Assessment and/or Teaching in Practice equivalent qualifications

Desirable

  • A qualification in a relevant area of practice
  • Degree in nursing or relevant profession
  • Non-Medical Prescriber

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive post qualification experience of working with/managing a caseload of people with co-occurring mental health and substance misuse problems
  • Working in busy challenging clinical setting and prioritising duties to maintain safety
  • Liaison with a range of professionals and agencies
  • Supporting the implementation of clinical practice improvement initiatives

Desirable

  • Working clinically within a substance misuse team
  • Involvement in audit projects and research

Knowledge / Skills and abilities

Essential

  • Current MH, substance misuse policy and best practice guidance and legislation
  • Understanding of and commitment to principles of equal opportunity, fair access and service user empowerment
  • Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment for people with co-occurring MH and substance use issues
  • Using relevant tools and guidelines to facilitate comprehensive assessments, plan, implement and evaluate the care of individuals with complex needs
  • Work collaboratively across teams and organisational boundaries, negotiating complex organisational structures and processes
  • Communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with service users, carers and colleagues

Desirable

  • Knowledge of relevant legislation
  • Ability to facilitate therapeutic groups
  • The ability to demonstrate and develop leadership skills
  • Ability to deliver team teaching/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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Ladywell Unit, University Hospital Lewisham

Lewisham High Street

London

SE13 6LW


Employer's website

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Ladywell Unit, University Hospital Lewisham

Lewisham High Street

London

SE13 6LW


Employer's website

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Team Leader

Justina Ariwodo

Ogochukwu.Ariwodo@slam.nhs.uk

07858686482

Details

Date posted

15 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£54,320 to £60,981 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

334-NUR-7125965-LF-A

Job locations

Ladywell Unit, University Hospital Lewisham

Lewisham High Street

London

SE13 6LW


Supporting documents

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