Job Description
Service
East Sussex STAR Service
Job Title
Prescription only medication GP liaison nurse
Salary
CRI Point 29 – 36
£25,798.50 - £31,414.50 + R&R
Hours
37.5 hours per week
Reports to
Clinical Team Leader
Purpose of Job
The post holder will work as part of the integrated recovery team and
will contribute to the provision of health interventions. This will include
service user assessment, blood borne virus screening and
immunisation, alcohol and drug detoxification support and on-going
contribution to recovery planning.
It will also include titration,
stabilisation, reduction and detoxification of opiate replacement therapy.
To liaise and support GP’s around the management clients who are
dependent
on
prescription
only
medication
particularly
Benzodiazepines, Z Drugs and opiate based medications within the
following categories;



Category I (Low Risk) Therapeutic dose dependent patients:
These patients have developed a dependence on a therapeutic
dose of a prescribed benzodiazepine and Z drug.
Category II (Medium Risk) High dose dependent patients:
These patients have started being prescribed a therapeutic
dose but have escalated their dose (e.g. obtained through illicit
sources) and have no other concurrent alcohol/drug problem.
Category III (High Risk) Recreational high dose abuse and
dependence patients. These patients have developed a
dependence on benzodiazepine and Z drug and have a
concurrent alcohol/drug problem.
As directed by the Clinical Team Leader, the post holder will offer a
flexible and accessible service, ensuring service users consistently
receive high quality services within best practice guidelines.
The post holder will be responsible for contributing to the overall
development and performance of the service to ensure that our
contractual targets are achieved.
To work flexibly across a number of operational sites as required
maintaining the most appropriate level of service provision, which may
include evening and weekend working.
1
To work within relevant safeguarding Policies and Procedures.

Key
Responsibilities
and Activities















Working with GP Practices in the Hastings area to support the GP
and service users on prescription only medication
Offer testing for blood borne viruses and provide appropriate pre
and post test discussions.
Provide health promotion and harm reduction advice and
screening; this includes providing blood borne virus,
management, vaccination and referral to specialist services.
Work as part of the nursing team to improve health and promote
recovery. This will include supporting service users’ detoxification
from alcohol and drugs.
Titration, stabilisation, reduction and detoxification of opiate
replacement therapy.
Responsibility for Wellbeing Clinic management, monitoring,
evaluation and service development.
Undertake general healthcare assessments and make onward
referrals and recommendations as necessary.
Undertake ECGs as directed.
Adhere to Patient Group Directions and ensure requirements on
updating are maintained.
Work alongside the Lead Clinician or Nurse Prescriber to plan
and implement individual community detoxification programmes to
ensure safety and optimise outcomes.
Contribute to the development and review of recovery/treatment
plans.
Ensure that procedures are constantly reviewed to promote
evidenced based best practice in accordance with UK Guidelines
on Clinical Management, NICE Guidance and CRI clinical
protocols, procedures and policies.
Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of local and national
guidelines on medicines management.
Maintain a current knowledge of up to date interventions as
appropriate to the service.
Ensure all data requirements are maintained and collated within
agreed time frames.
Provide evidence-based clinical supervision, advice and support in
clinical areas both to direct reports and Recovery Workers in
accordance with CRI policies, agreed protocols and national
legislation to bring about effective treatment decisions.




Engage proactively with both line management and clinical
supervision.
Develop effective relationships with stakeholders and partnership
agencies.
Ensure adherence to all relevant Health & Safety Policies and
ensure that risk is managed appropriately within the service.
Attend meetings appropriate to the development and
2
maintenance of the role under the direction of the Clinical Team
Leader.
General Terms of
Reference
In carrying out the above duties the post holder will:

Work flexibly across operational sites as required to maintain the
most appropriate level of service provision.

Seek to improve personal development, performance, knowledge
and skills.

Participate in appraisal, training and supervision processes.

Keep up-to-date with developments in services, legislation and
practice relevant to the client group.

Ensure the implementation of all CRI policies.

Contribute to maintaining safe systems of work and a safe
environment.

Undertake other duties within the scope of the role, as required.
This is a standards based job description that incorporates the National Occupational
Standards relevant to the job, as well as DANOS and other occupational standards such as
CJNTO.
Specific standards (DANOS related where appropriate) for this role include:
NOS Unit Number and Title (see www.skillsforhealth.com)
HSC35
Promote choice, well being and the protection of all individuals
AA1
Recognise indications of substance misuse and refer individuals to
specialists
HSC233
Relate to, and interact with, individuals
HSC330
Support individuals to access and use services and facilities
AB2
Support individuals who are substance users
AB3
Contribute to the prevention and management of abusive and
aggressive behaviour
HSC335
Contribute to the protection of individuals from harm and abuse
HSC395
Contribute to assessing and act upon risk of danger, harm and abuse
HSC33
Reflect on and develop your practice
3
NOS Unit Number and Title (see www.skillsforhealth.com)
GEN36
Make use of supervision
AC3
Contribute to the development of the knowledge and practice of others
GEN33
Enable other individuals to reflect on their own values, priorities,
interests and effectiveness
M&L D1
Develop productive working relationships with colleagues
AD1
Raise awareness about substances, their use and effects
AD2
Facilitate learning through presentations and activities
AD4
Develop and disseminate information and advice about substance use,
health and social well-being
AF3
Carry out comprehensive substance misuse assessment
AG1
Develop, implement and review care plans for individuals
AG2
Contribute to care planning and review
HSC388
Relate to families, parents and carers
AG3
Assist in the transfer of individuals between agencies and services
AI2
Help individuals address their substance use through an action plan
AJ1
Help individuals address their offending behaviour
BE4
Supplying information for management control
BE6
Preparing reports and returns
HSC31
Promote effective communication for and about individuals
CJAD2
Develop, sustain and evaluate joint work between agencies
HSC3100 Participate in inter-disciplinary team working to support individuals
GEN48
Promote your organisation and its services to stakeholders
M&L E6
Ensure health and safety requirements are met in your area of
responsibility
HSC22
Support the health and safety of yourself and individuals
4
NOS Unit Number and Title (see www.skillsforhealth.com)
HSC32
Promote, monitor and maintain health, safety and security in the
working environment
CJAD 3
Represent one’s own agency at other agencies’ meetings
HSC348
Help individuals to access learning, training and development
opportunities
HSC3115 Receive, analyse, process, use and store information
HSC3111 Promote the equality, diversity, rights and responsibilities of individuals
M&L B6
Provide leadership in your area of responsibility
5
Person Specification
Essential criteria
Education and experience

First level registered nurse and a current PIN.

.
 Registered General Nurse / Mental Health Nurse at Band 5 or above.

Knowledge of safeguarding children and adults at risk best practice and procedures.

Relevant post qualification experience for the role.

Experience of contributing to project development.
Abilities


Ability to organise and manage own workload in a busy environment.
Ability to evaluate professional development and progress.
Skills

Ability to undertake data monitoring and administrative tasks.

Excellent communication skills, written and oral.

Clinical audit skills to evaluate service and identify areas of development.
Knowledge



An understanding of the issues relating to substance misuse.
Knowledge of appropriate harm reduction and health promotion interventions.
Knowledge of the clinical interventions to address substance misuse.
Diversity

Commitment to the principles of equal opportunity and diversity.

Contribute to the development and promotion of culturally sensitive services.
Other

Flexible approach to workload.
.
Desirable


Knowledge of local services and geography.
Driver with access to own transport.
This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Check at an enhanced level.
Amendments: This description accurately reflects the present position; it may be amended
and reviewed. Any change will be made following a proper period of consultation.
6