GDAS Drug & Alcohol Nurse

Company	Kaleidoscope ProjectSee more
Address	Pontypool
Form of work	- Permanent, Full-time
Salary	£34,479.25 - £36,591.05 a year
Category	Scientific

Job description

Drug & Alcohol Nurse

Job Description/
Person Specification

Drug and Alcohol Nurse

Location: Torfaen and Monmouthshire, Base: Pontypool
Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week.
Salary: £33,475 to £35,535

Contract: Full time (Permanent)

About GDAS

The Gwent Drug and Alcohol service provides support to individuals and families affected by substance use across all 5 local authorities. As part of our service re-launch, we are recruiting for new roles across the service that align with the vision of the Gwent
APB Substance Misuse Commissioning Team.

We are seeking empathic and dedicated individuals with experiences from a range of sectors to join us in establishing a new, innovative drug and alcohol treatment service.
We welcome people with experience of working not just in substance misuse - but in housing, mental health, primary care, secondary care, youth services, probation and other sectors that have transferable skills. We welcome individuals with their own lived experience of drug and alcohol use and/or mental health and from those who have supported others with lived experience.

GDAS Values

GDAS is delivered in consortium with 3 of Wales largest substance misuse providers;
Kaleidoscope, Barod and G4S.

The uniqueness of our shared experience is reflected in the following aims for the life of the new contract for the benefit of Gwent communities:

To share our individual specialisms and best practice to enhance our integrated service delivery

Drug & Alcohol Nurse

To commit to and drive innovation in order to ensure we are constantly improving our treatment offer
To embrace a culture of candour, using lessons learnt as an opportunity to reflect on and improve our systems
To embrace the principles of the Healthier Wales Strategy, collaborating with our social care partners and service users to create a seamless whole system approach that focuses on improving health and wellbeing
To recognise and respond to the movement of individuals across open access and criminal justice pathways by using our knowledge of both Gwent and national criminal justice strategic direction and priorities

Role Profile & Responsibilities

Role Purpose:

As directed by the service, the post-holder will be an integral member of a multidisciplinary team offering specialist Drug and Alcohol clinical interventions to a cohort of service users in the service.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

Undertake assessments for all drug and alcohol service users as indicated in our prescribing policy and use the outcome to determine safe treatment as required.
Undertake risk assessments and contribute to risk management plans for service users engaged in the service.
Undertake physical and mental health assessments for people who access our services when indicated by clinical need and ensure appropriate sign posting/referral to primary care or appropriate secondary health care services for identified health issues.
Undertake clinical duties such as; urine testing, saliva testing, taking blood pressure, using alcoholmeter, venepuncture, basic wound dressing and monitoring physical health e.g. Weight and diet. Report, advise and initiate treatment changes based on results.
Undertake phlebotomy, as required, ensuring adherence to identified pathways for blood sample labelling, collection, obtaining results and signposting.
Use blood results to support the assessment the current health status of service users, the need for specialist medical referral and the suitability for community detoxification.
Undertake basic life support and anaphylaxis training so you are confident and competent to manage a medical emergency including the administration of emergency drugs
To work with others to ensure service users have timely access to safe and effective prescribing for community detoxification from substances, across operational sites.
Plan and implement programmes of care, monitor and review of interventions and carry continuing responsibility for a caseload where identified.

Drug & Alcohol Nurse

Work in conjunction with service doctors, monitoring and overseeing clinical interventions / treatments and lead in the management of a clinical care package to an individual who uses the service.
Ensure that there is effective communication of treatments offered, treatment progress and outcome of any investigations to other healthcare agencies, including GP’s.
Assist in the process for opiate/alcohol service users as required by service need to ensure the service user achieves an optimum dose of OST.
Working with colleagues in the service to deliver community drug and alcohol treatment plans utilising a care co-ordinated approach to service user care.
Undertake community alcohol detoxification either at the service or at the service user’s home

(where appropriate)

Administration of Buvidal and other medications as required
Adhere to Controlled Drug, Safe storage requirements and administration of medications
Provide education, health promotion and screening for blood borne viruses (BBV) and provide

Hepatitis B vaccinations when indicated.

Work within and consolidate integrated care and treatment pathways for individuals who are identified as being infected with BBV/s (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and/or HIV).
To take part in assessing the suitability for transfer of clients to Shared Care services within the community.
Where indicated, refer for specialist inpatient services (including detoxification) and liaise with hospital and inpatient unit staff.
Ensure that all revalidation requirements are being met and communicated to line manager.
Attend meetings appropriate to the development and maintenance of the role in agreement with and under the direction of the clinical management team.
Record and input client data and information in order that the service operates within contractual, administrative, and financial requirements.
Ensure that all data requirements in relation to service users are met within defined deadlines.

Drug & Alcohol Nurse

Person Specification

Criteria Essential Desirable

Qualifications ● First level registered nurse with a current PIN. ● Qualification(s) in substance misuse

● Recent relevant post qualification experience

Training Ability to assess, plan, implement and Trained in phlebotomy evaluate patient care Injection administration

Knowledge of the safe storage and Awareness of health issues related administration of medication requirements to substance misuse

Knowledge & ● Record Keeping ● Relevant recent experience of
Experience working within drug and alcohol

● Demonstrate skills to undertake treatment. administrative duties.

● Show a capacity to work alone and the ability to keep calm under pressure. ● Sound and demonstrable knowledge of clinical prescribing

● Evidence of continuing professional issues. development

● Awareness of professional boundaries

● Knowledge of the issues facing substance misusers including appropriate medical interventions, social care, and health issues.

Interpersonal ● Empathic
Skills

● Work in partnership with those who use our service

● Credible

● Positive Attitude

● Ability to work as part of a team

● Good Communication skills

Personal ● Personal drive
Competencies

● Quality & Compliance Focus

● Supports a Recovery and Harm Reduction ethos

Drug & Alcohol Nurse

● Resilience

● Organised & Structured in approach to work

● Ability to work autonomously

● Initiative and creativity

● Ability to manage time effectively

● Respond flexibly to the demands of the post

● Proactive, adaptable, and confident

Personal ● Demonstrable alignment with GDAS values
Attributes (above)

GDAS may consider the appointment of a candidate who is unable to meet a particular requirement if they offer other skills, knowledge, or experience valuable to the role and the host Organisation. The candidate must also be able to meet the required shortfall within a reasonable timeframe whilst undertaking the newly appointed role.

Additional Information
● Welsh Language: Welsh Language Standards etc
● DBS: This role is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application via the Disclosure & Barring.

This post is exempt from the provisions of Section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders 1974 (Exemptions)
(Amendments) Order 1986. Therefore, applicants are not entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are ‘spent’ under the provision of the Act, and, in the event of employment being taken up; any failure to disclose such convictions will result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the organisation.
The fact that a current or pending charge, conviction, bind-over or caution has been recorded against you will not necessarily debar you from consideration for this appointment. However, should an offer of employment be considered, Barod will endeavour to discuss such disclosures with you in a confidential setting, to determine suitability for the role, prior to making any final decision.

Vaccinations: Vaccinated against Hepatitis B. You will need to provide evidence of your COVID-19 vaccination status; we strongly advise that both vaccinations, plus any booster vaccinations are received (unless you have reasonable grounds, e.g. you are medically exempt).
Safeguarding: The post holder will have responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable adults/ children (as appropriate) where the employee has responsibility or contact with the vulnerable person.

● Job Description: The Job Description accurately reflects the present position; it may be amended and reviewed at any point in the future. Any change will be made following a proper period of consultation.

● Flexibility: The post holder will be required to work flexibly around the needs of the people who use our services.
This may include work at multiple locations and flexible working hours outside of the normal working week and may include weekends.

● Driving Licence: This role involves travel across Gwent to offices and community settings (with occasional possibility of transporting volunteers/clients). Therefore, the post holder is required to have a full current driving licence, permitting them to drive their vehicle in the UK, and have full access to their own personal mode of transport which is insured for business use.

Drug & Alcohol Nurse

● Continuous Professional and Personal Development: Seek learning opportunities either by attending learning and training events either externally or internally to improve and broaden their knowledge and skills and develop the personal qualities required in their professional lives. All Nurses will be subject to appropriate professional revalidation program.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £34,479.25-£36,591.05 per year

Benefits: