Non Medical Nurse Prescriber

To work as a member of a multidisciplinary specialist drug team, providing information, advice, assessment, caseload management, physical health checks and blood borne virus screening, vaccinations and treatment. One of the main remits of the posts is the initiation of clients onto opiate substitute medication, via observed administration in our onsite care clinic. Monitoring treatment through regular clinical reviews. Offering advice and offer dose review.

Main duties of the job

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assess opiate dependence and in conjunction with the medical team support the prescribing of evidence based opiate substitution treatments, providing person-centered, flexible care (to include stabilization, intermediate maintenance and detox regimes)
• Initiate clients onto opiate substitute medication, via observed administration in our onsite care clinic and be responsible for the operational running of the clinic
• Hold a caseload of complex clients, undertake comprehensive assessments, physical and mental health needs, social and support issues to develop clinically safe and client-centered treatment plans
• Delivery of a range of health interventions, including advice and information, physical health checks, BBV screening & vaccination and support the delivery of the onsite Hepatitis C treatment clinic
• To work as an effective member of the multidisciplinary team actively participating in clinical team meetings, group supervision and contributing to the yearly service development plan
• To adhere to local safeguarding protocols to safeguard children and vulnerable adults, including the completion of safeguarding assessment tools, referrals to social services and producing reports
• To work effectively with partner agencies and other professionals to ensure a joined-up approach to treatment and care planning
• To work as a Non-Medical prescriber within agreed scope of practice.

About us

Communication

• To work as an effective member of the multidisciplinary team actively participating in team meetings, group supervision and clinical team meetings.
• To make decisions based on effective communication and risk management. To seek management and clinical advice where necessary.
• To support the de-escalation of client incidents and in accordance with policies and practice should incidents occur.
• To act professionally in response to verbal and non-verbal aggression and in accordance with policies and practice should this occur.
• To be aware of and always maintain professional boundaries.
• To work effectively with partner agencies e.g. Dual Diagnosis Network, HAGA, Insight Platform, St Mungo's, BUBIC, Intuitive Recovery, and the Recovery Service.
• To work effectively with other professionals e.g. Safeguarding Children and Adult Services, Housing, Mental Health, GPs etc.
• To liaise with Haringey GPs as part of local GP Shared care arrangements.
• To attend and participate fully in all client-based meetings, business and external meetings when required, including Core Groups and Case Conferences as required.
• To develop a network of contacts with relevant agencies to promote service accessibility for the client group.

Job responsibilities

• To assess clients level of opiate dependence and level of opiate withdrawal, to manage their initiation onto methadone or buprenorphine, in conjunction with the medical team.
• To carry out physical monitoring of clients undergoing methadone and buprenorphine titration, maintenance programmes, reduction and detoxification programmes.
• To initiate clients onto opiate substitute medication, via observed administration in our onsite care clinic.
• To undertake comprehensive assessments, physical and mental health needs, social and support issues and to present this information together with a proposed treatment plan to the multidisciplinary team. This will include clients who require prescribed medication i.e. Methadone or Buprenorphine or medication like Naltrexone.
• To accurately assess the multiple needs of this complex client group, including identifying and exercising judgments relating to homelessness, drug treatment, psychological counselling, treatment plans, criminal justice system, child protection, other agencies etc.
• To manage a caseload of complex clients and provide one to one key working ensuring that care and recovery planning is conducted on an individual basis according to the specific needs of the service user.
• To carry out appropriate risk assessment regarding prescribing and non-prescribing interventions, and implement appropriate interventions to manage identified risks.
• To follow local safeguarding procedures in order to promote the safety and well-being of children and vulnerable adults.
• To support the production of reports necessary for social services, courts or other external organisations.
• To make home visits consistent with need and in line with Trust policies.
• To provide harm reduction services, such as Needle Exchange, in line with Trust guidelines.
• To support service users to become involved in local service user activities, planning and co-production.
• Where appropriate, to engage friends and family of the service user in their treatment, where explicit consent has been given.
• To carry out urine drug screening and breath alcohol testing in order to assess safety of prescribing. To provide advice and guidance to other practitioners around safety of prescribing in relation to results.
• To provide advice and guidance to practitioners on mental health and physical health issues.
• To carry clinical reviews.
• To participate in the delivery of the primary healthcare services, including the delivery of health and wellbeing clinics.
• To promote the health needs of clients with complex issues, and within their sphere of competence provide interventions for these needs.
• To carry out HIV and Hepatitis C testing and pre/post-test counselling.
• To support the delivery of the onsite Hepatitis C treatment clinic.
• To carry out Hepatitis B testing and vaccination.
• To promote clinical excellence by complying with agreed Trust and statutory policies and clinical guidance, including Infection Control while maintaining own clinical competencies in this role.
• To support the Clinical Governance of the service, through reporting, investigating, recommending actions and learning lessons.
• To respond to and manage accidents & incidents, in line with Trust policy. This will include incident investigation and action planning.
• To work in partnership with an independent medical prescriber, as a supplementary non-medical prescriber, within the designated area of practice.
• As a supplementary non-medical prescriber prepare clinical management plans and prescribe only in accordance with these and within their scope of practice/competency taking full responsibility and accountability for their prescribing decisions.
• Ensure that patients are aware of the scope and limits of non-medical prescribing and ensure patients understand their rights in relation to non-medical prescribing. Patients have the right to refuse treatment/prescribing from a NMP.

Person Specification

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

• First Level Registered Nurse (RMN/RGN)

EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

• Extensive post-registration qualification experience in mental health, acute, or primary care settings
• Experience of titration/dose induction
• Extensive experience of working with those affected by substance misuse
• Experience of phlebotomy, or a commitment to acquiring these skills while in post
• Some experience of Supervision and line management

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• A good working knowledge of the specific health risks that those affected by substance misuse are exposed to
• An understanding of the principles and practice of harm minimisation, and a commitment to work within the harm reduction model of practice
• An understanding and knowledge of the main psychoactive drugs used by this client group, their effects and current treatments

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• The ability to understand and implement the Equal Opportunities Policy, at a level appropriate to the job
• A non-judgemental approach to drug use and drug users

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£49,178 to £55,492 a year Per annum including Outer London HCAS