Job summary
The role of the DACT Nurse is primarily to provide a comprehensive and holistic assessment of the patient. This will include both mental and physical health, social issues along with their drug and alcohol history to formulate a plan of care based on their individual needs. Brief interventions will be delivered as standard and there will be an expectation to follow up patients who require admission to hospital.
The DACT will provide acute assessment supporting inpatient wards and the Emergency Department, but also work into the Acute Medicine Unit and Surgical Assessment Centre. The band 6 DACT nurse will work as an autonomous practitioner and will have regular access supervision and support from the Team Leader.
The post holder will also provide advice and training to DBTH staff and be an expert point of contact. Good multidisciplinary working is essential to ensure liaison with local service providers to ensure continuity of care. The post holder will be willing to be flexible to meet the needs of this new team and must demonstrate knowledge, expertise, advocacy skills and a passion for working within the speciality of alcohol misuse.
Main duties of the job
To provide specialist assessment and intervention to patients presenting with Drug and/or alcohol related problems or injuries. To identify appropriate treatment options and ensure these are implemented
To use local and national guidelines for the treatment of alcohol misuse and/or drugs and to ensure high quality, evidence-based care is received for all patients referred. Concerns should be escalated immediately and appropriately if this is not the case
To promote screening, identification, and brief intervention of patients, equipping ward staff with the appropriate tools to carry these out
To educate patients and their families/carers on substance misuse related harm and deliver brief advice
To screen patients to identify those at risk from alcohol related health and social problems (hazardous drinkers) and those whose health is being damaged by alcohol (harmful drinkers) and undertake appropriate interventions or referrals
To identify patients currently using illicit substances and undertake appropriate interventions or referrals
To advise and support emergency department staff on the admission criteria for patients with substance misuse issues attending the department
To advise clinical staff on the management of patients experiencing acute alcohol withdrawal, including treatments protocols including detoxification medication and vitamin prescribing (once qualified as a non-medical prescriber)
About us
Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) employ around 4000 talented colleagues who are very much appreciated, valued, and respected.
We have a wide portfolio which includes mental health, physical health, learning disability and drug and alcohol services.
We are dedicated to the development of our our people and hold a learning half day every month for our colleagues.
We are passionate about enhancing the quality of our service and we work hard to attract and select the right colleagues for our organisation. Our goal is to employ those who share our passion for providing first class care while remaining committed to our vision and values. Please view our Strategy using the link below:
https://www.rdash.nhs.uk/documents/clinical-and-organisational-strategy-2023-to-2028/
To find out more about working for RDaSH and the fantastic benefits we offer visit our website:
https://workwithrdash.co.uk/
We are committed to inclusive cultures and really value people in our organisation, view our Allyship video on YouTube to find out more:
https://youtu.be/WMJSkLoTk4Q
The main terms and conditions of service can be found here:
https://www.nhsemployers.org/publications/tchandbook
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please view the attached job description and person specification to view the full details about the role
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if there are a high amount of applications
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please view the attached job description and person specification to view the full details about the role
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if there are a high amount of applications
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse - must hold current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
- NMC approved mentor and assessing course.
- Post basic qualification in drug and alcohol misuse or evidence of learning beyond registration in areas relevant to the area.
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable post qualification experience of working with people who have experienced drug and/or alcohol problems
- Evidence of working with people who have experienced common mental health problems and dual diagnosis
- Experience of undertaking risk assessments and risk management
- Experience of working within a variety of settings from community to inpatient.
Skills
Essential
- Ability to lead and organise others within the workplace.
- Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training
- Ability to manage stress positively.
- IT literate: competent in the use of Microsoft office applications including Word and Outlook.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including report writing skills.
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrates an understanding of the effects of problematic drug and alcohol use on the individual, the family and the wider community.
- Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post
- An understanding of harm minimisation and health promotion in the context of problematic drug and alcohol use
- Knowledge of treatment and interventions used in the treatment of problematic drug and alcohol use.
- Understanding of equal opportunities and diversity within the workplace and in service delivery.
- Understanding of child protection issues within the context of problematic drug and alcohol use and the effects problematic use may have on parenting.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse - must hold current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
- NMC approved mentor and assessing course.
- Post basic qualification in drug and alcohol misuse or evidence of learning beyond registration in areas relevant to the area.
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable post qualification experience of working with people who have experienced drug and/or alcohol problems
- Evidence of working with people who have experienced common mental health problems and dual diagnosis
- Experience of undertaking risk assessments and risk management
- Experience of working within a variety of settings from community to inpatient.
Skills
Essential
- Ability to lead and organise others within the workplace.
- Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training
- Ability to manage stress positively.
- IT literate: competent in the use of Microsoft office applications including Word and Outlook.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including report writing skills.
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrates an understanding of the effects of problematic drug and alcohol use on the individual, the family and the wider community.
- Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post
- An understanding of harm minimisation and health promotion in the context of problematic drug and alcohol use
- Knowledge of treatment and interventions used in the treatment of problematic drug and alcohol use.
- Understanding of equal opportunities and diversity within the workplace and in service delivery.
- Understanding of child protection issues within the context of problematic drug and alcohol use and the effects problematic use may have on parenting.
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).
