Substance Misuse Practitioner inGuernsey inGuernsey PUBLISHED FRI 21 FEB 2025

The States of Guernsey are looking at appoint a Substance Misuse Practitioner to work as part of the Community Drug & Alcohol Team delivering specialist assessment and interventions in a variety of settings.

The role may include managing the initial stages of medication induction and detoxing individuals either as an inpatient or in the community and post holder will provide multi- agency and multidisciplinary links with the HSC mental health and general health services, including the Orchard Clinic around services users blood borne virus treatment and investigation and sexual health. A minimum of 2 years experience in a specialist mental health or substance use treatment role is required.

• To undertake the assessment of patients/service users with complex needs includingindividuals with unconfirmed diagnosis.
• To develop, implement and evaluate specialised programmes of care utilisingevidence and research.
• To work autonomously, recognising changes in patients'/service users' presentationwhich require intervention, knowing when to escalate as appropriate.
• To guide, advise and direct other staff in the assessment, planning, implementationand evaluation of specialised patient/service user care.
• To promote patient/service user involvement in the planning, delivery and evaluationof care, respecting their beliefs and dignity.
• To utilise data and information from a range of sources to identify patient/service usercondition to guide decision making.
• Within field of expertise and policy, request specific clinical tests to establish adiagnosis.
• To undertake the role of health promoter and educator for patients/service users andtheir support networks.
• To ensure that professional standards are upheld by the staff members working withinthe postholders sphere of responsibility.
• To report all accidents and incidents as per policy and participate in risk managementand Quality and Safety processes e.g SWARM.
• To be accountable for ensuring that safeguards are in place for patients/service usersand escalate any safety, safeguarding or risk concerns following the appropriateprocesses.

About us

Communication:

To build a therapeutic relationship with patients/service users and their support network, communicating with them in a way that respects their views, language, cultural differences and cognitive function.

To use a wide range of communication skills that can be adapted to meet the needs of complex and challenging situations.

To manage conflict between individuals including staff, patients/service users and their support network.

To establish effective working relations with all members of the multi-disciplinary team and outside agencies, clearly relaying condition related information in a timely and effective manner.

Communicates to patients/service users and support networks compassionately, in a confidential and sensitive professional manner.

To provide clear, concise, and accurate electronic and paper records of the care given in accordance with agreed policy and standards.

Leadership:

To act as a professional role model for junior staff, promoting high standards of practice and strong professional values.

To take charge of the department or service as required.

To co-ordinate nurse led and multi-agency activities within area of specialist practice.

To contribute to team success and excellent standards of care by challenging others constructively, upholding HSCs CARE Values.

To ensure team members are aware of organisational objectives, policies and procedures and implications that they have for their practice.

To undertake Values Based Appraisals for staff as required and support such staff with performance issues, developing action plans to address developmental needs.

To contribute to the recruitment of team members and ensure a positive and supportive working environment for all staff.

To advocate on behalf of patients and service users.

To take accountability and reflect on own decisions and actions using available support networks.

Planning and Organisation:

To organise own workload and tasks and that of others, demonstrating the ability to recognise changing priorities and adjusting plans accordingly.

To assist with shift planning/work scheduling for the service area including the appropriate allocation of staff to ensure safe levels of care.

To coordinate and delegate activities to junior colleagues where applicable within agreed systems of working, considering required skill mix and staffing levels, in accordance with patient/service user need.

Policy and Service Development:

To contribute to service developments and propose changes to policies and procedures.

To ensure that junior staff members are aware of relevant policies, procedures and guidelines.

Partnership Working:

To demonstrate an understanding of and apply the principles of the CARE Values.

To actively work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team with a range of professionals from other service areas who may be participating in the care of a patient/service user.

To lead effective team working, communicating with others in a constructive way,which enables colleagues to make suggestions for the improvement of care delivery.

To lead and participate in team meetings.

Responsibility for Physical and Financial Resources:

To ensure that public funds are used responsibly and appropriately.

To authorise expenditure, e.g. the signing of timesheets and authorising the use of additional staff.

To have an awareness of cost implications and assist in the management of resources within the service area e.g equipment and supplies.

To ensure the safe and responsible use of equipment.

To handle valuables in accordance with agreed policies and procedures.

Professional Development:

To take responsibility for maintaining own professional development and revalidation requirements, ensuring completion of training in accordance with the Statutory, Mandatory and Essential to Role Training Policy.

To participate in supervisory one-to-one meetings and undertake HSC Values Based Appraisals where appropriate, developing plans to meet personal and organisational objectives.

To continually develop new knowledge and skills, applying this to practice and sharing with colleagues as appropriate.

To develop programmes of learning to meet the educational needs of staff working within the department or service.

To participate in the induction, orientation and development of new staff, agency workers, students and any voluntary workers.

To actively contribute to an effective learning environment and to supervise and assess pre and post registration students in accordance with University and HSC requirements.

Research Development and Audit:

To use data from clinical incidents to inform areas of audit activity and service development.

To participate in HSC quality improvement initiatives and audits to improve patient and service user safety and care.

To keep up to date with evidence based practice and current trends.

Analysis and Data Management:

To understand Key Performance Indicators and trends within own service area and contribute to service development.

To utilise a variety of data sources to contribute to the analysis and investigation of incidents.