Harm Reduction Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

· The Harm Reduction nurse is a professional in their own right, accountable clinically to the Clinical Lead.

· You will ensure your professional practice is in accordance with the appropriate Code of Professional Conduct

· Employed by Foundations at START, Hartlepool, however you may be required to support other Foundations sites.

Key Activities:

· Undertake initial basic healthcare assessments and record in electronic and paper-based case notes as required. Report outcomes to Foundations Clinical Lead.

· Initiate, complete and follow up on referrals to specialist care.

· Work with key partners to provide harm reduction advice and assist individuals into treatment.

· Screen for blood borne viruses and contribute to integrated care planning to assure effective referrals to Hepatology and GUM services to enable assessment for specialist treatment. Support the provision of pre and post blood borne virus test discussion.

· Immunise service users and staff participating in the HBV vaccination programme.

· Ensure vaccines are stored correctly and the cold chain is maintained as per current Department of Health Guidance. Maintain clinic fridge and room temperature checks and record as required.

· Assess, review and manage a caseload of patients who are prescribed opiate substitute medications.

· Administer long acting buprenorphine depots to patients assessed as suitable in accordance to foundations SOP.

· Maintain required standards of infection control and hygiene as per policies and procedures.

· Provide evidence based harm reduction services.

· Assist and carry out appropriate screening processes including urine and saliva tests.

· Liaise with and take direction from other healthcare professionals, including Nurses, Lead Clinician and Keyworkers in order to provide the best possible specialist care for patients, ensuring co-ordination and continuity of care.

· Undertake fast track assessments for clients who request or require structured treatment interventions.

· Ensure that all interventions are suitably recorded and in accordance with policies, procedures and national guidelines from the NTA, DoH, NICE, NMC and as directed by the Partners.

· Ensure that all safeguarding issues, including child protection and protection of vulnerable adults, are dealt with in accordance to policies and procedures, and local and national statutory requirements.

· Recognise personal and professional boundaries and work within clinical governance framework at all times.

· Always treat service users with respect and dignity.

· Ensure that all data requirements are met within deadlines.

· Present a professional image and actively promote the service at all times to service users, other stakeholders, partnership organisations and the general public.

· Produce relevant reports, action plans and developmental service frameworks in response to needs of the organisation and managerial requests.

· Actively participate in regular supervision, in active learning and development professionally, in accordance with service and organisational requirements.

· Uphold data protection legislation and only share client information as per policy, local and formally agreed information sharing protocols and client confidentiality agreements.

· Regularly use IT systems including Word; Outlook; electronic case management systems.

· To undertake any other duties as instructed by the management team that will contribute to fulfilling the project aims.

In carrying out the above duties the post holder will:

1. Work flexibly across operational sites as required within an agreed number of hours of work to maintain the most appropriate level of service provision including weekend and evenings.

2. Seek to improve personal performance, contribution, knowledge and skills.

3. Participate in appraisal, training and supervision processes.

4. Keep up-to-date with developments in services, legislation and practice relevant to the relevant client group.

5. Ensure the implementation of all Foundations policies.

6. Contribute to maintaining safe systems of work and a safe environment.

7. Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade of the post

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience in health care support work
• IT literacy including proficiency in word processing and data entry.
• Good interpersonal skills and a willingness to work flexibly as part of a team.
• The ability to respond to appropriate requests for assistance, maintaining confidentiality whenever necessary.
• Good organisational skills
• Knowledge of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults procedures.
• Ability to work with and manage challenging behaviour
• Confidence to work on own initiative as well as part of the team
• Communicate confidently and effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Respond flexibly to the demands of the post.
• Show a capacity to work alone and the ability to keep calm under pressure.
• Understand and have a commitment to the principles of equal opportunity and diversity.
• Employ an empathetic and non-judgmental attitude towards service users.
• Show commitment to facilitating positive outcomes for service users

Desirable

• Experience of Drug and Alcohol Treatment services or other similar background
• Knowledge of the issues facing substance users including appropriate medical interventions, social care and health issues.
• Knowledge of local services and geography.
• Clinical services provision understanding.
• Certificated Injection Technique and Immunisation Training.
• Access to own transport.
• Ability to use own judgment, resourcefulness and common sense.
• Ability to work without direct supervision and determine own workload priorities.
• Ability to work as part of an integrated multi-skilled team.
• Able to demonstrate enthusiasm to developing nursing skills.
• An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality.
• Pleasant and articulate.
• Able to work under pressure.
• Able to work in a changing environment.
• Able to use own initiative.
• Flexibility of working hours/ able to work at the desired times.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

FOUNDATIONS

Address

START Hartlepool

19 Whitby Street

Hartlepool

Cleveland

TS24 7AB

Employer's website

https://foundationshealthcare.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)