Clinical Nurse Specialist - Drug Service

As an organisation we recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Liaison Psychiatry Service as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Drug Team.

As part of a Nationally accredited Service you will be providing specialist nursing advice & support to patients with co-morbid substance misuse in the Emergency Department & Wards of the Bristol Royal Infirmary.

This post is for a Band 6 CNS is for a 12month Maternity Cover.

A secondment may be considered but please ensure that you have this agreed in principle with your Line Manager before applying.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work closely with the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) within the Trust supporting Substance misuse patients who present with multiple physical & MH comorbidities.

The priority of the post holder will provide advice, support &information from the time of diagnosis and throughout curative, palliative and terminal phases. This may include delivering a range of psychosocial interventions to individual patients and their families as appropriate.

The post holder will be assisting & supporting general hospital colleagues in making decisions about treatment and care in complex situations; at all times with a focus on advocating for our MH & substance misuse patients.

The post holder will be required to work 0900-1700hours, Monday - Friday.

Working for our organisation

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as ‘Good’ overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward- thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Person specification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• Relevant post registration nursing experience
• Extensive knowledge of various approaches to bio-psychosocial assessment
• Post registration experience of nursing substance misuse patients
• Knowledge of key areas of liaison psychiatry practice, including the psychological effects of physical illness
• Knowledge of the clinical and demographic risk factors associated with self-harm & suicide
• Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) & the Mental Health Act & their use in the general hospital

Desirable criteria

• Experience as preceptor / mentor
• Experience of nursing MH patients

Personal Aptitudes

Essential criteria

• Respecting Everyone
• Embracing change
• Recognising Success
• Working Together

Education and Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Registered Nurse, with current registration
• Diploma in Professional Studies (nursing) or equivalent
• Evidence of professional updating & development in the care of substance misuse patients

Desirable criteria

• Teaching & assessing qualification or equivalent experience

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria

• Effective verbal & written communication skills
• Evidence of effective organisational and time management skills
• Skills in assessing, planning implementing and evaluating mental health nursing interventions
• Ability to interact therapeutically with distressed and/or disturbed individuals and/or those in crisis
• Knowledge of the teaching process, skills in teaching to a range of levels of staff
• Skills in interacting effectively with colleagues from a range of specialties and departments
• Ability to work alone or as part of a team
• Ability to cope with emotional issues presented in the course of work, and to support others

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.