Job summary
The postholder will be part of an established clinical service delivering intense smoking cessation support to smokers admitted to hospital and community services. Underpinning the service will be the CURE philosophy of Conversation, Understanding, Replacement & Expertise. In order to deliver this effectively, the successful applicant will need excellent communication, motivational and organisational skills and work as part of a smoking cessation team. The Smokefree Advisors will have their own delegated caseloads, working under agreed clinical pathways and within defined competence. Working under unsupervised guidance, they will be expected to motivate and engage sick smokers, provide individualised patient management plans whilst in hospital, facilitate follow-up support post-discharge and ensure effective handover of care to established community services.
Main duties of the job
- Support our inpatients to adopt healthy lifestyles and provide specialist smoking cessation advice
- Provide evidenced-based smoking cessation advice within the inpatient sites and community setting
- Offer support to our inpatients accessing stop smoking advice, information, and support.
- Actively signpost in preparation for patients being discharged to available smoking cessation resources
- Provide staff updates and support staff in providing stop smoking support
- Work collaboratively with inpatient ward staff to ensure smoking and tobacco related health improvement information is available.
- Be aware of the relevant area's policies with reference to fire, accident reporting, infection control and health and safety.
- Establish good relations with all grades of staff to ensure that good communication is maintained.
- Work in a manner that always protects confidentiality.
Staff Smoking Cessation Support
Provide confidential smoking cessation support to staff across both hospital sites.
Offer drop-in clinics, virtual consultations, and personalised quit plans.
Work with Occupational Health and HR to promote staff wellbeing.
Participate in staff health promotion campaigns and events.
About us
As the largest single site specialist heart and chest hospital in the UK, we, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, have a clear vision 'to be the best cardiothoracic integrated healthcare organisation'.
We provide specialist services in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine both in the hospital and out in the community.
We serve a catchment area of 2.8 million people, spanning Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man, and increasingly we receive referrals from outside these areas for highly specialised services such as aortics.
Our reputation for strong performance is important in delivering the best care for our patients and high quality clinical services. This is underpinned by a culture of research and innovation, delivered in modern estate and our encouragement of flexible working in a variety of forms.
Please visit our website - https://www.lhch.nhs.uk/
Please follow this link for a tour of our site - https://bit.ly/36ylsoq
Job description
Job responsibilities
CLINICAL
Support patients in adopting the correct smoking cessation medications and behavioural therapy and show the techniques such as effective NRT delivery
Pharmacological treatments available to smokers, indications of their use, contraindications and cautions as applicable to each.
- Undertake & document comprehensive inpatient and community smoking assessments to include full smoking history, past quit attempts, use of smoking cessation aids and current motivator(s) to quit
- Knowledge of evidenced- based smoking cessation interventions
- Deliver a patient-led treatment plan to promptly manage nicotine addiction and prevent symptoms of withdrawal whilst admitted, or in community in accordance with national and local guidelines
- Knowledge of the potential side-effects of each pharmacological treatment
- Monitor effectiveness of treatment programmes set for individual patients and adjust as necessary
- Undertake administrative duties relating to referrals, team activity and clinics on Trust-approved clinical systems ensuring timely dissemination of patient appointments, smoking cessation aids and multidisciplinary correspondence where necessary
- Act as a resource for smoking cessation knowledge and advice for the MDT within the hospital and community settings
- Liaise with Communications Department to identify and actively participate in relevant and appropriate promotional events related to the work of the service
- Support Clinical Lead and Team Lead in ensuring the on-going development of effective, evidence-based practice through the establishment and delivery of a programme of training and education for Trust staff
MANAGERIAL/LEADERSHIP
Motivate and empower patients to address nicotine addiction, recognising their hospital admission as a significant teachable moment
- Develop and maintain close working relationships with ward-based medical, nursing, pharmacy staff, other Allied Health Professionals and community based smoking cessation services
ORGANISATIONAL
Be flexible in how the service is delivered across the hospital inpatient settings and community services , providing high quality inpatient telephone support (if clinically necessary) for patients referred to the service
PROFESSIONAL
Work within own level of professional competency, maintaining knowledge and skills in smoking cessation and tobacco addiction
- Understand the principles of motivational interviewing and seek to apply these in all patient interactions
- Ability to identify barriers and facilitators to addressing addictive behaviours
- Maintain an up to date knowledge of pharmacological treatments available to smokers, indications of their use, contraindications and cautions as applicable to each.
- Maintain an up to date knowledge of the potential side-effects of each pharmacological treatment and communicate these as appropriate to clinical staff and the actions to be taken should they occur.
- Undertake any further specialist training as stipulated by national bodies such as National Centre for Smoking Cessation & Training (NCSCT) or National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
Job description
Job responsibilities
CLINICAL
Support patients in adopting the correct smoking cessation medications and behavioural therapy and show the techniques such as effective NRT delivery
Pharmacological treatments available to smokers, indications of their use, contraindications and cautions as applicable to each.
- Undertake & document comprehensive inpatient and community smoking assessments to include full smoking history, past quit attempts, use of smoking cessation aids and current motivator(s) to quit
- Knowledge of evidenced- based smoking cessation interventions
- Deliver a patient-led treatment plan to promptly manage nicotine addiction and prevent symptoms of withdrawal whilst admitted, or in community in accordance with national and local guidelines
- Knowledge of the potential side-effects of each pharmacological treatment
- Monitor effectiveness of treatment programmes set for individual patients and adjust as necessary
- Undertake administrative duties relating to referrals, team activity and clinics on Trust-approved clinical systems ensuring timely dissemination of patient appointments, smoking cessation aids and multidisciplinary correspondence where necessary
- Act as a resource for smoking cessation knowledge and advice for the MDT within the hospital and community settings
- Liaise with Communications Department to identify and actively participate in relevant and appropriate promotional events related to the work of the service
- Support Clinical Lead and Team Lead in ensuring the on-going development of effective, evidence-based practice through the establishment and delivery of a programme of training and education for Trust staff
MANAGERIAL/LEADERSHIP
Motivate and empower patients to address nicotine addiction, recognising their hospital admission as a significant teachable moment
- Develop and maintain close working relationships with ward-based medical, nursing, pharmacy staff, other Allied Health Professionals and community based smoking cessation services
ORGANISATIONAL
Be flexible in how the service is delivered across the hospital inpatient settings and community services , providing high quality inpatient telephone support (if clinically necessary) for patients referred to the service
PROFESSIONAL
Work within own level of professional competency, maintaining knowledge and skills in smoking cessation and tobacco addiction
- Understand the principles of motivational interviewing and seek to apply these in all patient interactions
- Ability to identify barriers and facilitators to addressing addictive behaviours
- Maintain an up to date knowledge of pharmacological treatments available to smokers, indications of their use, contraindications and cautions as applicable to each.
- Maintain an up to date knowledge of the potential side-effects of each pharmacological treatment and communicate these as appropriate to clinical staff and the actions to be taken should they occur.
- Undertake any further specialist training as stipulated by national bodies such as National Centre for Smoking Cessation & Training (NCSCT) or National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- N.V.Q. III in Care or equivalent plus additional training to diploma level through short course or experience.
- Foundation degree in Assisting Clinical Practice or significant clinical experience delivering a programme of behavioural change
- GCSE/equivalent in English and Maths Grade C or above
Desirable
- Evidence of CPD
- Current NCSCT Practitioner Certification
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Competent IT keyboard and software skills able to use Microsoft suite of programmes, clinical IT systems (eg. Dashboard) and navigate Trust intranet.
- Excellent communication skills and listening skills to develop a rapport and establish an effective therapeutic relationship with patients
- Able to deliver information in professional manner and refer questions to others where appropriate
- Self-motivating, displays an enthusiasm and drive for health improvement
- Good time management, organisational and prioritisation skills
- Ability to develop and sustain professional interpersonal relationships with colleagues in the healthcare setting
Desirable
- Ability to organise stock and resources
Values & Behaviours
Essential
- Adherence to Trust Values and Behaviours
- Ability to demonstrate individual responsibility in respect of role development and identification of areas to develop
- Is reliable, flexible , adaptable and able to respond to change
- Is self-aware, able to initiate and manage self -change with support when necessary
- Ability to identify and respond to own strengths and limitations both personal and professional e.g. seeking guidance and support as necessary
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with patients displaying challenging behaviours
- Experience of adopting motivational interviewing techniques in practice
- Pharmacological treatments available to smokers, indications of their use, contraindications and cautions as applicable to each.
- Able to demonstrate sound knowledge of impact smoking has on health
Desirable
- Working within an acute NHS/ community environment
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- N.V.Q. III in Care or equivalent plus additional training to diploma level through short course or experience.
- Foundation degree in Assisting Clinical Practice or significant clinical experience delivering a programme of behavioural change
- GCSE/equivalent in English and Maths Grade C or above
Desirable
- Evidence of CPD
- Current NCSCT Practitioner Certification
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Competent IT keyboard and software skills able to use Microsoft suite of programmes, clinical IT systems (eg. Dashboard) and navigate Trust intranet.
- Excellent communication skills and listening skills to develop a rapport and establish an effective therapeutic relationship with patients
- Able to deliver information in professional manner and refer questions to others where appropriate
- Self-motivating, displays an enthusiasm and drive for health improvement
- Good time management, organisational and prioritisation skills
- Ability to develop and sustain professional interpersonal relationships with colleagues in the healthcare setting
Desirable
- Ability to organise stock and resources
Values & Behaviours
Essential
- Adherence to Trust Values and Behaviours
- Ability to demonstrate individual responsibility in respect of role development and identification of areas to develop
- Is reliable, flexible , adaptable and able to respond to change
- Is self-aware, able to initiate and manage self -change with support when necessary
- Ability to identify and respond to own strengths and limitations both personal and professional e.g. seeking guidance and support as necessary
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with patients displaying challenging behaviours
- Experience of adopting motivational interviewing techniques in practice
- Pharmacological treatments available to smokers, indications of their use, contraindications and cautions as applicable to each.
- Able to demonstrate sound knowledge of impact smoking has on health
Desirable
- Working within an acute NHS/ community environment
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.
