Substance Misuse Clinical Nurse Specialist NMP

Job summary

To work within the Specialist Substance Misuse service/The Level (in-patient detox unit). Providing specialist health assessments, prescribing assessments, formulation, and a wide range of clinical interventions for adults living within Nottingham City Centre/admitted into the Level presenting with substance/alcohol misuse problems and who meet the referral criteria of the core areas of business.

This will be done by working as part of an effective team and providing flexible substance/alcohol misuse assessments and intervention within a wide variety of locality community settings.

They will be responsible for completing specialist health assessments and developing a wide range of psychosocial and/or pharmacological treatment plans as an autonomous practitioner, across the breadth of provision within Substance Misuse service.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £26.40 (standard) or £54.40 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment.

You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of £16 per year applies.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be a member of the substance misuse team which is a part of the Specialist Services Directorate. The post holder will be responsible for providing specialist health assessment, hypothesis and diagnosis, and intervention for service users accessing the substance misuse service.

The post requires close liaison with a broad range of other disciplines and agencies, including health, social services and voluntary agencies. The post holder works autonomously within professional guidelines and the overall framework of the team's policies and procedures. The post holder will receive managerial supervision from the Team lead, clinical supervision, and prescribing supervision from the team's consultant in addictions.

They will be expected to share prescribing information, evidence and rationale for prescribing decisions.

About us

#TeamNottsHC comprises over 11,000 dedicated colleagues who #MakeADifference every day. We deliver intellectual disability, mental health, community health, forensic, and offender healthcare services across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire. Our care is provided from over 200 sites, spanning community locations, acute settings, and secure environments, including prisons.

We are one of the largest mental health and community Trusts in the East Midlands and one of Nottinghamshire's biggest employers. We also host national and regional services, such as the National High Secure Deaf Service and the Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health.

We offer a variety of employee-led staff networks, including Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) groups, the Green Champions network, the Freedom to Speak Up network, the Health and Wellbeing Champions network, and the Menopause Champions network. These networks play a vital role in supporting our diverse workforce and promoting a culture of inclusivity.

The health and wellbeing of our colleagues is a top priority. We invest significantly in this through our in-house occupational health and staff counselling services, supported by a dedicated Health and Wellbeing team.

The Trust is committed to reducing its carbon emissions, with a specialised Energy and Environmental team working to ensure compliance with environmental legislation, enhance our environmental performance, and achieve our net-zero commitment.

Date posted: 16 April 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum (pro rata for part time)

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 186-479-25-GH

Job locations: The Level, 56 Millers Court, Nottingham, NG7 3DP

Job responsibilities

Working Practice

The post holder will be an independent prescriber within the Substance Misuse Team.

To provide specialist health assessments, formulation, and a wide range of clinical interventions to adults over the age of 18 who access the substance misuse service/admitted into The Level.

To provide a highly specialist mental health prescribing service for adults within the specialist substance misuse service/in-patient unit. Where extreme clinical diagnostic uncertainty is not present, and where cases can be safely and effectively managed within a nursing and non-medical prescribing framework.

To ensure all baseline tests and investigations are carried out in accordance with national and local guidelines leading to a timely diagnosis/hypothesis in collaboration with the MDT.

To prescribe accordingly, discussing all treatment options, (including non-pharmacological treatments) and potential side effects with service users.

To establish highly specialised clinical management treatment plans and reviews.

To provide specialist assessment, formulation, and treatment for adults accessing the specialist substance misuse service/in-patient service.

To manage risk in accordance with local, national guidance and clinical governance and record interventions as required by the Trust.

To provide a seamless and integrated service that is flexible, holistic, and responsive to the needs of the individual and their carers.

Promote social inclusion by reducing stigmatisation.

Education and Development

To receive regular clinical professional supervision from a senior clinical professional on a monthly basis.

To receive regular managerial supervision, on a monthly basis.

To gain further post-qualification experience and to attend further, highly specialised training courses when appropriate, as identified in the annual professional appraisal and development (PAD) review.

To participate in regular team meetings, case discussions, etc.

To achieve trust essential training requirements.

To attend NMP forum at least 4 times a year.

To ensure that they receive regular medical supervision regarding NMP, and record it appropriately.

B - Others

To provide highly specialised advice, consultation and training to staff working with the client group across a range of agencies and settings, where appropriate.

To contribute to pre and post qualification teaching to students, as appropriate.

To complete CPD in line with Trust policy in regards to Non-Medical Prescribing and the Approval to practice Certificate.

To receive relevant training in line with Trust Policy in regards to Non-Medical Prescribing Policy.

Health and Safety

To work within a framework and guidelines of Nottinghamshire Health Care Trust and in accordance with national and professional guidelines.

To ensure that health and safety issues, risk assessment and monitoring are effectively maintained.

Policies and Procedures

The duties and responsibilities of the post will be undertaken in accordance with the policies, procedures and practices of Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, NICE and NMC.

Person Specification

Qualifications Essential

• Qualification as a Non-Medical Prescriber
• RN Level 1
• Extensive experience working with substance misuse clients

Desirable

• Teaching and Assessing Qualification
• RCGP Certificate in the management of Drug Misuse part 2
• Experience of psychiatric medications

Experience Essential

• Proven experience of working within integrated services
• A good knowledge of evidence-based pharmacological interventions
• Experience of Nurse Led substance misuse Triage, a good knowledge of substance misuse disorders and the ability to establish a therapeutic alliance with patients
• Experience of working in a criminal justice setting
• Experience of close working relationships with a variety of statutory agencies and other external organisations
• Proven ability to influence practice and implement change
• Experience of teaching and development of staff
• Participation in policy development and role enhancement

Desirable

• Experience with identifying audit requirements and audit programmes

Knowledge Essential

• Understanding of National and Local Agendas
• Ability to lead and motivate
• Excellent report writing skills
• Knowledge of Clinical Governance and Risk
• Broad range of enhanced clinical skills

Desirable

• Participation in clinical policy formulation
• Knowledge of a substance misuse service

Trust Values and Behaviours Essential

• All colleagues are expected to demonstrate that they act in line with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Values: Trust, Honesty, Respect, Compassion, Teamwork
• All colleagues are expected to demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and how it applies to their role. The Trust's expectations are highlighted within our EDI Policy, and associated EDI and Human Rights legislation.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name: Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address: The Level, 56 Millers Court, Nottingham, NG7 3DP

Employer's website: Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust