Job summary
Closing Date: 27/04/2026
Shortlisting to take place in the week following closing date: commencing 28/04/2026
Interview expected to take place in the week following shortlisting: commencing 04/05/2026
We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic and motivated Band 6 Clinical Nurse Specialist who has an interest in addiction and a passion for improving the care of patients with substance misuse issues.
The CNS will use their knowledge and experience to holistically assess patients who are in hospital and who have issues with drugs, alcohol or both. They will develop therapeutic relationships and provide appropriate advice and motivational support. They will make appropriate referrals into internal and external services to meet the needs of the individual.
The CNS will be welcomed into the Alcohol Care Team. We are a friendly and passionate team. We have the shared vision to improve this service to meet (or exceed) the needs of the local population who have substance misuse issues. We are the opposite of change resistant and love to be challenged and to trial new ways of working.
The team is relaxed and there is a focus on wellbeing. We recognise that it we don't value our own health, we will be unable to provide the service our patients deserve.
Please refer to the attached Person Specification for more details as to what is required from applicants. Previous experience working with Substance Misuse is essential.
Main duties of the job
This CNS will be responsible for the assessment of patients who misuse a variety of substances. They will provide health education and psycho-social interventions. They will have a caseload of patients who will be supported both pre and post detox, and they will respond to the needs of patients attending hospital frequently for a variety of reasons.
About us
Our People Charter outlines the behaviours we can expect from one another and what you can expect from Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust:
- We value people
- We are one team
- We care
We're keen to meet people who share these values and are passionate about delivering the highest quality of care to our patients.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The role promotes systematic alcohol screening of A&E and ward patients using harm minimisation principles and tools such as AUDIT, while enhancing the clinical skills of general hospital staff in alcohol management. It provides specialist assessment, liaison, and clinical advice on alcohol dependence and treatment options, including prescribing, and delivers evidence-based interventions tailored to patients psychological, social, and medical needs, with consideration of carers and the wider community. The service offers brief interventions, coordinates care for complex or high-risk cases until transfer to specialist services, implements risk management protocols, monitors referrals and outcomes, and facilitates appropriate onward referral for longer-term support such as detoxification or therapy. Additionally, the role supports supervision and training of colleagues, promotes reflective practice, and contributes to quality and safety initiatives to improve patient outcomes.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The role promotes systematic alcohol screening of A&E and ward patients using harm minimisation principles and tools such as AUDIT, while enhancing the clinical skills of general hospital staff in alcohol management. It provides specialist assessment, liaison, and clinical advice on alcohol dependence and treatment options, including prescribing, and delivers evidence-based interventions tailored to patients psychological, social, and medical needs, with consideration of carers and the wider community. The service offers brief interventions, coordinates care for complex or high-risk cases until transfer to specialist services, implements risk management protocols, monitors referrals and outcomes, and facilitates appropriate onward referral for longer-term support such as detoxification or therapy. Additionally, the role supports supervision and training of colleagues, promotes reflective practice, and contributes to quality and safety initiatives to improve patient outcomes.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Post registration experience, including experience of working in a relevant clinical specialty
- Significant post registration experience
- Experience in contributing to effective care and discharge planning
- Recent relevant post basic experience with alcohol issues
- Experience in advising on Detox / medication regimes
Desirable
- Experience of participating in clinical audit/ research projects
- Experience of managing a team of staff
- Experience in a range of clinical specialties
Skills
Essential
- Clinical skills specific to area of specialty
- Ability to and work as part of a team
- Mentoring and counselling skills
- Change management skills
- Excellent time management and organisation skills
- Computer literate
Desirable
- Leadership skills
- Presentation skills
- Analytical approach to problem solving
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of Information Governance and Confidentiality
- Knowledge of change management processes
- Knowledge and understanding of application of relevant National Guidance e.g. National Service Frameworks, NICE , MHA and Mental Capacity Act etc
- Comprehensive knowledge of the NHS national and Trust's targets and priorities
- In depth knowledge and understanding of the needs of the specific patient group
- Recruitment and Selection, Appraisal and other relevant HR/People management training
Desirable
- Management/ Leadership Training
Qualifications
Essential
- RGN/ RMN /AHP qualification
- Post registration qualification / training in area of clinical speciality
- Teaching and assessing qualification e.g. SLIP
Desirable
- Non-medical prescribing qualification or will agree to undertake the course within an agreed time scale with Managers. Fibroscan qualified or willing to attend relevant training
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Post registration experience, including experience of working in a relevant clinical specialty
- Significant post registration experience
- Experience in contributing to effective care and discharge planning
- Recent relevant post basic experience with alcohol issues
- Experience in advising on Detox / medication regimes
Desirable
- Experience of participating in clinical audit/ research projects
- Experience of managing a team of staff
- Experience in a range of clinical specialties
Skills
Essential
- Clinical skills specific to area of specialty
- Ability to and work as part of a team
- Mentoring and counselling skills
- Change management skills
- Excellent time management and organisation skills
- Computer literate
Desirable
- Leadership skills
- Presentation skills
- Analytical approach to problem solving
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of Information Governance and Confidentiality
- Knowledge of change management processes
- Knowledge and understanding of application of relevant National Guidance e.g. National Service Frameworks, NICE , MHA and Mental Capacity Act etc
- Comprehensive knowledge of the NHS national and Trust's targets and priorities
- In depth knowledge and understanding of the needs of the specific patient group
- Recruitment and Selection, Appraisal and other relevant HR/People management training
Desirable
- Management/ Leadership Training
Qualifications
Essential
- RGN/ RMN /AHP qualification
- Post registration qualification / training in area of clinical speciality
- Teaching and assessing qualification e.g. SLIP
Desirable
- Non-medical prescribing qualification or will agree to undertake the course within an agreed time scale with Managers. Fibroscan qualified or willing to attend relevant training
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.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
