Job summary
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Band 6 Drug and Alcohol Specialist Practitioner to join our small team based within Prospect Park Inpatients services in Reading .
Prospect Park has 4 Acute wards , one psychiatric intensive care ward and two older persons ward.
Designed to complement the operational ward management structure, the Drug and Alcohol Specialist Practitioner will be clinically responsible for the co-ordination and implementation of effective, evidence-based, patient focussed specialist interventions to patients with Co Occurring alcohol and substance use needs. This will be developed through effective communication and liaison with all members of the multi-disciplinary team, the Drug and Alcohol Lead, the hospital Senior Leadership Team and with our partners in Specialist services and support services. The job will sit outside of the traditional management structures of the wards.
Our service also provides advice and support to our colleagues within the Hospital Based Place of Safety
You will be expected to work as a supernumerary member of the ward team, primarily on a 9-5 basis, but with the ability to work flexibly when required, to meet the clinical development needs of the ward/service.
Main duties of the job
- Supporting innovation and implementation of national initiatives in the care of patients with Co- Occurring Mental Health, Alcohol, and Drugs () eg - Early identification.
- To be a champion for COMHAD supporting the implementation of service improvements through huddles and breakthrough objectives agreed by the ward.
- Support ward staff to develop new and existing clinical skills for management of patients who have alcohol and substance Use Dependence.
- Support ward staff in the process of risk assessments (triangulation of documentation - risk assessment, care planning and continuation notes) of patients who are presenting with co morbid alcohol and substance use.
- To support the Drug ,Alcohol and Smoke free Lead in the action of audit feedback and individual colleague clinical risk assessment supervision and development.
- To support the use of appropriate evidence based therapeutic interventions in addressing the co -occurring mental health, alcohol and substance use needs of patients and their families.
- To be able to take the lead on specialist service improvements projects as requested by the Drug and Alcohol Lead.
- To take responsibility for specialist assessment, care planning, motivational interventions and ensuring appropriate support is in place for discharge.
- Communicate discharge planning information to relevant specialist professionals in accordance with service expectations and policy.
About us
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust isa specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire.
We value diversity and are proud to be a Stonewall Top 100 Employer. We work hard to create an inclusive environment where you'll be supported by friendly and professional colleagues to flourish.
Our values at Berkshire Healthcare:
- Caring for and about you is our top priority
- Committed to providing good quality, safe services
- Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions
- We welcome people who share these values to come and work for us.
- Benefits of working for us include:
- Flexible working options to support work-life balance.
- 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
- Generous NHS pension scheme
- Excellent learning and career development opportunities
- 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme
- Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
- Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
- Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities and armed forces community to support equality
- Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave.
- Free parking across Trust site.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications/Training
Essential
- Registered Mental Health Nurse OR Other Health Professional OR Substantial experience in Specialist area
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- IT literate
- Experience supporting students health professionals
Continuous Professional Development
Essential
- Desire to undertake further training and self-improvement to support patient experience
Previous Experience
Essential
- Experience within a mental health setting
- Evidence of clinical leadership skills
- Experience in Quality Improvement initiatives
- Experience of working with patients who also use alcohol or drugs and have a co-existing mental health issue
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to lead on and follow through on service improvement initiatives
- Knowledge of Mental Health legislation, which included the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and DOLs
- Excellent risk assessment, care planning and documentation skills
- Knowledge of Safeguarding procedures and an of specific risk and vulnerabilities within COMHAD patients
- Report writing and presentations.
- Role-modelling, networking, mentoring, chairing meetings, group work and facilitation and driving non-judgemental clinical practice when working with COMHAD patients
- Team-working and the ability to play an effective part in a wider MDT and specialist partner agencies
- Able to work effectively with clinical teams
- Able to work under pressure
- Ability to work in a stressful environment
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel to multiple sites
- Honest, trustworthy, and reliable
- Understand the limits of your abilities
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications/Training
Essential
- Registered Mental Health Nurse OR Other Health Professional OR Substantial experience in Specialist area
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- IT literate
- Experience supporting students health professionals
Continuous Professional Development
Essential
- Desire to undertake further training and self-improvement to support patient experience
Previous Experience
Essential
- Experience within a mental health setting
- Evidence of clinical leadership skills
- Experience in Quality Improvement initiatives
- Experience of working with patients who also use alcohol or drugs and have a co-existing mental health issue
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to lead on and follow through on service improvement initiatives
- Knowledge of Mental Health legislation, which included the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and DOLs
- Excellent risk assessment, care planning and documentation skills
- Knowledge of Safeguarding procedures and an of specific risk and vulnerabilities within COMHAD patients
- Report writing and presentations.
- Role-modelling, networking, mentoring, chairing meetings, group work and facilitation and driving non-judgemental clinical practice when working with COMHAD patients
- Team-working and the ability to play an effective part in a wider MDT and specialist partner agencies
- Able to work effectively with clinical teams
- Able to work under pressure
- Ability to work in a stressful environment
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel to multiple sites
- Honest, trustworthy, and reliable
- Understand the limits of your abilities
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).
