Alcohol & Substance Misuse Nurse Specialist

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work at University Lewisham Hospital in the Alcohol and Substance Misuse Team. We are looking for an individual who possess a caring, positive attitude and is dedicated and conscientious. Good communication abilities, compassion and organisational skills are paramount. The candidates will have the ability to lead by example and work well in a team.

Main duties of the job

The Alcohol and Substance Specialist Nurse will be an integral member of the Alcohol and Substance Care Team which provides care and treatment for patients with alcohol and drug misuse. The Alcohol and Substance Specialist Nurse will work as an autonomous practitioner in the assessment, implementation and evaluation of patient care for those who present with alcohol misuse, alcohol related injuries and substance misuse.

To advise Trust staff on the care and management of acute alcohol withdrawal, substance misuse, deliver training to staff on brief interventions and participate in the development and delivery of education programmes for Trust staff in the speciality of alcohol and drug misuse.

Willing to be flexible to meet the needs of this new team and you must demonstrate knowledge, expertise and passion in working within the speciality of alcohol and substance misuse.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To comprehensively assess patients, gaining information about their physical health, mental health, social issues as well as their alcohol and substance misuse history to format a plan of care based on the patient’s individual needs.

• To advise clinical staff on the management of patients experiencing acute alcohol and substance misuse withdrawal, including detoxification medication and vitamin prescribing.
• To advise and support emergency department staff on the admission criteria for patients with alcohol and substance misuse issues attending the department.
• To liaise with and build strong professional relationships with other healthcare professionals both within the hospital and external agencies to meet the needs of the patient.
• 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 undertake individual case management to provide immediate and on-going support to those patients who are unsuitable or unwilling to engage in community services.