What are the responsibilities and job description for the Nurse Specialist- Substance Misuse/ Cirrhosis position at Freeman Hospital?
Employer heading
Nurse Specialist- Substance Misuse/ Cirrhosis
Band 6
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest and largest NHS foundation trusts in the country, with around 15,000 staff and an annual budget of £1.6 billion.
We have a long history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, and innovation in medical research regionally, nationally and internationally.
We’re in the top five providers of specialised health services in the country, supporting people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.
Our staff oversee around 6,500 patient contacts each day, delivering high standards of healthcare.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
Newcastle Hospitals are proud to be one of the exemplar organisations across the NHS on sustainability, with a long history of delivering Sustainable Healthcare in Newcastle (Shine) and the first healthcare organisation in the world to declare a climate emergency. Our strategy includes commitments to being Net Zero by 2030, for our direct carbon footprint, and Net Zero by 2040 for our footprint plus. Delivering these ambitions will not be possible without the help, support and action of every single member of our team.
Job Overview
An exciting, fixed term (potential secondment) has arisen to offer a Band 6 Specialist Nurse role within the Substance Misuse team. This is a unique opportunity for personal and professional development enhancing knowledge and clinical skills both in the trust and the community in the field of substance misuse
This role is specifically targeted towards the emergency admission departments, providing support to patients and staff but also using assessment tools including Identification and Brief Advice (IBA) alongside referrals to our community partners.
This would involve rotation between all area of the substance misuse team including emergency and elective detoxifications and the cirrhosis support team.
A further extension of this role is the delivery of evidence based and NICE Guidance supported training to staff of all levels in the departments, enhancing the knowledge and skills of colleagues in this dynamic environment.
Main duties of the job
In reflection of the NHS Long term plan on prevention, the main purpose of this role is the early identification of alcohol misuse and providing support and treatment and earlier referral to the community addiction service. This role encompasses face to face reviews with patients in accident and emergency department and the medical assessment unit. This is with the intent of providing support to those patients who may be in acute alcohol withdrawal or presenting with an alcohol use disorder or their use of alcohol is increasing to harmful levels resulting in frequent presentations to hospital
This role includes supporting treatment plans following joint decision making with the medical team and providing harm minimization on discharge. A key part of the day is liaising with community addiction services but also social work , liaison psychiatry and criminal justice services. The use of motivational interviewing will be learned alongside the need for a Trauma Informed approach to this complex patient group.
Safeguarding is an essential responsibility ensuring both adult and children are safeguarded within this often emotive and challenging area and the recognition of domestic violence and exploitation within our city.
Targeted training of accident and emergency staff on IBA – Identification and Brief Advice on alcohol and you will be supported.
You will be part of a larger team encompassing all areas of addiction and be well supported with an induction plan and training.
Working for our organisation
Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under ‘Documents to download’ or ‘Supporting documents’.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be part of a skilled team who are passionate in this area who deliver direct care to patients in the Acute Trust but also supporting and working alongside our community partners. We support healthcare colleagues responsible for individuals struggling with substance misuse within the Trust
If you have a commitment to providing a quality service, excellence in clinical practice and continuous professional development within a dynamic team then this could be the role for you.
The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust define a nurse specialist as a qualified nurse where the primary purpose of role is to provide guidance and support based on advanced level knowledge to patients, carers and health professionals concerning a specific disease/condition.
Within The Sphere Of Specialist Practice
Person specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential criteria
Essential criteria
Essential criteria
All references from current and previous employers will be sought and must cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first month’s pay.
Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by e-mail. You should check your SPAM folders as well as your inbox. If you have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date you should assume your application has been unsuccessful.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
Name Samantha Ord Job title Nurse Specialist Substance Misuse Email address Samantha.ord2@nhs.net Telephone number 0191 2139619
Nurse Specialist- Substance Misuse/ Cirrhosis
Band 6
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest and largest NHS foundation trusts in the country, with around 15,000 staff and an annual budget of £1.6 billion.
We have a long history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, and innovation in medical research regionally, nationally and internationally.
We’re in the top five providers of specialised health services in the country, supporting people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.
Our staff oversee around 6,500 patient contacts each day, delivering high standards of healthcare.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
Newcastle Hospitals are proud to be one of the exemplar organisations across the NHS on sustainability, with a long history of delivering Sustainable Healthcare in Newcastle (Shine) and the first healthcare organisation in the world to declare a climate emergency. Our strategy includes commitments to being Net Zero by 2030, for our direct carbon footprint, and Net Zero by 2040 for our footprint plus. Delivering these ambitions will not be possible without the help, support and action of every single member of our team.
Job Overview
An exciting, fixed term (potential secondment) has arisen to offer a Band 6 Specialist Nurse role within the Substance Misuse team. This is a unique opportunity for personal and professional development enhancing knowledge and clinical skills both in the trust and the community in the field of substance misuse
This role is specifically targeted towards the emergency admission departments, providing support to patients and staff but also using assessment tools including Identification and Brief Advice (IBA) alongside referrals to our community partners.
This would involve rotation between all area of the substance misuse team including emergency and elective detoxifications and the cirrhosis support team.
A further extension of this role is the delivery of evidence based and NICE Guidance supported training to staff of all levels in the departments, enhancing the knowledge and skills of colleagues in this dynamic environment.
- Interview Date Monday 24 March 2025
- 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.
Main duties of the job
In reflection of the NHS Long term plan on prevention, the main purpose of this role is the early identification of alcohol misuse and providing support and treatment and earlier referral to the community addiction service. This role encompasses face to face reviews with patients in accident and emergency department and the medical assessment unit. This is with the intent of providing support to those patients who may be in acute alcohol withdrawal or presenting with an alcohol use disorder or their use of alcohol is increasing to harmful levels resulting in frequent presentations to hospital
This role includes supporting treatment plans following joint decision making with the medical team and providing harm minimization on discharge. A key part of the day is liaising with community addiction services but also social work , liaison psychiatry and criminal justice services. The use of motivational interviewing will be learned alongside the need for a Trauma Informed approach to this complex patient group.
Safeguarding is an essential responsibility ensuring both adult and children are safeguarded within this often emotive and challenging area and the recognition of domestic violence and exploitation within our city.
Targeted training of accident and emergency staff on IBA – Identification and Brief Advice on alcohol and you will be supported.
You will be part of a larger team encompassing all areas of addiction and be well supported with an induction plan and training.
Working for our organisation
Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
- Freeman Hospital
- Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
- Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)
- Newcastle Dental Hospital
- Newcastle Fertility Centre
- Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
- Northern Genetics Service
- Cramlington Manor Walks
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under ‘Documents to download’ or ‘Supporting documents’.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be part of a skilled team who are passionate in this area who deliver direct care to patients in the Acute Trust but also supporting and working alongside our community partners. We support healthcare colleagues responsible for individuals struggling with substance misuse within the Trust
If you have a commitment to providing a quality service, excellence in clinical practice and continuous professional development within a dynamic team then this could be the role for you.
The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust define a nurse specialist as a qualified nurse where the primary purpose of role is to provide guidance and support based on advanced level knowledge to patients, carers and health professionals concerning a specific disease/condition.
Within The Sphere Of Specialist Practice
- Is working towards advanced knowledge and skills within specialist sphere of practice.
- Contributes to the facilitation of the planning, delivery and evaluation of care pathways for a designated group of patients.
- Support the development of nursing practice within the specialist field and contribute to the body of nursing knowledge.
- Contributes to training and education within specialist area.
Person specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential criteria
- Registered nurse (appropriate to branch)
- Current NMC registration
- Diploma plus specialist qualifications / experience within specialist area; prepared to take degree level study
- Meets Nursing and Midwifery Council standards for student supervision and assessment (formally Mentorship) if relevant to role
- Current driving licence if relevant to role
- Degree in health related subject
Essential criteria
- Some post registration experience within related specialist area of practice
- Extended clinical practice underpinned by training supervision & assessment
- Knowledge and understanding of relevant NHS policy or project specific policy context
- Has understanding / experience of adult / child safeguarding
- Evidence of on-going continuous professional development
- Research or audit experience
- Evidence of contribution towards education and training programmes
Essential criteria
- Good IT skills
- Effective report writing skills
- Able to work independently and as a member of a team
- Effective organisation and time management skills
- Change management skills and involvement in project work
All references from current and previous employers will be sought and must cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first month’s pay.
Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by e-mail. You should check your SPAM folders as well as your inbox. If you have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date you should assume your application has been unsuccessful.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
- JD & PS (PDF, 344.4KB)
- Newcastle Staff Benefits (PDF, 274.4KB)
- Behaviour and Civility Charter (PDF, 93.8KB)
Further details / informal visits contact
Name Samantha Ord Job title Nurse Specialist Substance Misuse Email address Samantha.ord2@nhs.net Telephone number 0191 2139619
