To be able to assess and case manage clients who inject drugs, in particular assessing injection sites and be conversant with the precepts of harm minimisation.

To provide case management and direct clinical care to a defined number of complex clients including clients dual diagnosed with mental health and physical health issues, concurrent with substance misuse problems, as agreed with the Service Manager. This includes assessment, care planning and providing specialist nursing care.

To use agreed and established Outcome Monitoring Tools (TOP) and any other relevant quality measures.

To contribute to the development, provision and review of care plans.

To manage the transfer of individuals between agencies and services.

To counsel individuals about their substance, use and related behaviours, using motivational interviewing, relapse management and other evidence-based interventions.

To provide clinical advice and support to other colleagues within the health care setting and to other agencies concerned with substance misuse.

To be responsible for the safe and effective storage and administration of drugs, exercising responsibility for the custody and maintenance of statutory records of such drugs in accordance with the Trust Policies/Procedures on the supply and carriage of drugs in the community.

To ensure full risk assessments and risk management is delivered effectively.

To undertake dry blood spot testing for BBV and urinalysis when required.

To screen clients at risk of, or affected by, blood borne diseases and to plan and agree service responses according to needs.

To provide education and to assertively promote Hepatitis B vaccination for clients who are at risk of contracting the virus.

To administer Hepatitis B vaccination in accordance with CNWL Medicine Policies and Protocols.

To provide pre and post test discussion to clients screened for blood borne viruses in accordance with CNWL guidelines.

To ensure the CNWL Hepatitis care plan is used for all clients.

To actively promote attendance at the hepatology clinic for clients affected by liver disease.

Person specification

Education And Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Registered NMC Mental Health nurse
• Evidence of continuing personal development and post-registration training in the nursing care, assessment and treatment substance misuse clients.

Desirable criteria

• Diploma in Drugs and Alcohol Studies or equivalent qualification
• Training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Completed the Motivational Interviewing Training Module
• BBV Training

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of teaching others and willingness to undertake Teaching and Assessing qualification within six months of commencing post.
• Assessing risky health behaviour
• CNS training programme
• Experience of working with clients with drug/ alcohol problems or completion of AOCD
• Experience in Mental Health
• Experience with community based working

Desirable criteria

• Community Nursing Experience
• Experience of working in and delivering services to drug users.
• Research experience
• Knowledge of Patient Information Systems
• Completion of PGD for BBV screening and vaccination

Skills and knowledge

Essential criteria

• Knowledge of different treatment models and pathways in substance misuse
• Able to build constructive relationships with warmth and empathy, using good communication skills
• An understanding of safeguarding issues in relation to adults and children
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and to prioritise effectively
• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to work within a harm minimisation model
• Motivational Interviewing skills / Relapse Management skills
• Ability to treat service users with respect and dignity at all times, adopting a culturally sensitive approach, which considers the needs of the whole person
• IT literate

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of prescribing issues in a drug service
• Experience of group facilitation
• Experience of managing a caseload within the community
• Awareness/knowledge of research skills
• Awareness of counselling models

Attitudes, aptitudes, personal characteristics

Essential criteria

• Non-judgemental
• Able to engage in frank discussions with clients about intimate and sexual topics
• Committed to multidisciplinary team work
• Committed to Service User involvement
• Flexible & responsive to a must have the ability to understand and implement the Equal and Diversity policy at a level appropriate to the job developing service.