Birchwood Bank Substance Use Nurse

For alcohol dependence, Birchwood supports service users who are assessed as suitable for residential detoxification, providing a safe and supervised withdrawal from alcohol. Service users will be screened for clinical dependence in line with ICD-10 diagnostic criteria to assess suitability, using the Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ).

For Opiate dependence, Birchwood supports service users who are assessed as suitable for residential detoxification using methadone, buprenorphine and lofexidine.

Role Purpose:

The post holder will be a Registered Nurse RMN or RGN. They are desired to have working knowledge and experience of both drug and alcohol detoxification and treatment programmes with an understanding of both clinical and psychosocial aspects of care.

The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of clinical treatment services, working closely and in partnership with clinical, therapeutic and support staff in order to deliver a package of integrated, holistic support. They will support prescribing plans for patients admitted to the unit and will act as a point of contact for colleagues around prescribing issues.

The Nurse will work under the guidance of the Clinical Lead and will be responsible for the supporting of patients admitted to the unit. This will include treatment planning, titration and monitoring, alongside other clinical interventions. They will support in assessing, planning and implementing clinical care whilst supporting service users’ general health needs. They will appropriately respond to clinical emergencies, assessing and managing risk as appropriate.

There will be a responsibility to ensure the safe and efficient administration of controlled drugs and general healthcare medications to service users with a responsibility for the maintenance of stock levels and adherence to legal recording requirements.

The post holder will deliver all services in line with Kaleidoscope’s Operational Policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring that care is safe, undertaken to a high standard and informed by up-to-date practice. The post holder should therefore be committed to evidence-based practice, sound clinical governance and continual improvement.

The post holder should enjoy face-to-face contact with people who have recognised that their use of substances has become problematic. They will have excellent communication skills, be able to work closely with other multi-disciplinary agencies and flexibly and efficiently within a team, to ensure services are delivered equitably and at times to suit the client. They will have a non-judgmental approach to people who have substance misuse problems and be able to provide a welcoming and accessible service to existing and potential service users.

All Birchwood workers will be required to work evenings and weekends where required. Individual and clinical supervision will be provided six weekly for one to two hours as required. There will be an induction period, during which training will be provided in specific areas.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

The Nurse will:

Undertake comprehensive clinical assessments and screening.
Carry a caseload of service users being prescribed medication.
Deliver a comprehensive prescribing service for patients admitted for alcohol or drug dependence
Ensure case notes and other statutory records are up to date and kept in accordance with Kaleidoscope and Birchwood policies and procedures/regional information sharing protocols.
Deliver a range of clinical interventions, including testing and vaccination.
Participate in clinical audits, service reviews and the evaluation of service user satisfaction surveys; implementing resulting recommendations in order to improve and develop the service.
Ensure that data recording and reporting requirements are fully met.
Develop effective links with mental health, GP prescribing and other voluntary and statutory sector providers and agencies.
To implement effective and flexible clinical systems and structures that are responsive to individuals with different levels of risk, complexity, severity and strengths, in order to ensure that treatment is optimised.
To work within agreed policies, procedures and protocols to safeguard children and vulnerable adults.
To act as Care Co-ordinator, and have clinical responsibility, for the nurse led clinic including assessment and appropriateness of medication prescribed.
To offer wound care assessment and basic wound dressing
To refer and liaise with other agencies involved with the client’s broader care plan as part of the Service, including Health Services, hospitals and GP’s.
To attend meetings appropriate to the development and maintenance of the role
In carrying out the above duties the post holder will:

Work flexibly across operational sites as required.
Work flexibly within an agreed number of hours of work to maintain the most appropriate level of service provision.
Seek to improve personal performance, contribution, knowledge and skills.
Participate in appraisal, supervision and Learning Development processes.
Keep abreast of developments in services, legislation and practice relevant to the relevant client group.
Ensure the implementation of the all service policies.
Contribute to maintaining safe systems of work and a safe environment.
Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade of the post. Read more