The role of the DACT Nurse is primarily to provide a comprehensive and holistic assessment of the patient. This will include both mental and physical health, social issues along with their drug and alcohol history to formulate a plan of care based on their individual needs. Brief interventions will be delivered as standard and there will be an expectation to follow up patients who require admission to hospital.
The DACT will provide acute assessment supporting inpatient wards and the Emergency Department, but also work into the Acute Medicine Unit and Surgical Assessment Centre. The band 6 DACT nurse will work as an autonomous practitioner and will have regular access supervision and support from the Team Leader.
The post holder will also provide advice and training to DBTH staff and be an expert point of contact. Good multidisciplinary working is essential to ensure liaison with local service providers to ensure continuity of care. The post holder will be willing to be flexible to meet the needs of this new team and must demonstrate knowledge, expertise, advocacy skills and a passion for working within the speciality of alcohol misuse.
To provide specialist assessment and intervention to patients presenting with Drug and/or alcohol related problems or injuries. To identify appropriate treatment options and ensure these are implemented
To use local and national guidelines for the treatment of alcohol misuse and/or drugs and to ensure high quality, evidence-based care is received for all patients referred. Concerns should be escalated immediately and appropriately if this is not the case
To promote screening, identification, and brief intervention of patients, equipping ward staff with the appropriate tools to carry these out
To educate patients and their families/carers on substance misuse related harm and deliver brief advice
To screen patients to identify those at risk from alcohol related health and social problems (hazardous drinkers) and those whose health is being damaged by alcohol (harmful drinkers) and undertake appropriate interventions or referrals
To identify patients currently using illicit substances and undertake appropriate interventions or referrals
To advise and support emergency department staff on the admission criteria for patients with substance misuse issues attending the department
To advise clinical staff on the management of patients experiencing acute alcohol withdrawal, including treatments protocols including detoxification medication and vitamin prescribing (once qualified as a non-medical prescriber)
Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) employ around 4000 talented colleagues who are very much appreciated, valued, and respected.
We have a wide portfolio which includes mental health, physical health, learning disability and drug and alcohol services.
We are dedicated to the development of our our people and hold a learning half day every month for our colleagues.
We are passionate about enhancing the quality of our service and we work hard to attract and select the right colleagues for our organisation. Our goal is to employ those who share our passion for providing first class care while remaining committed to our vision and values. Please view our Strategy using the link below:
To find out more about working for RDaSH and the fantastic benefits we offer visit our website:
We are committed to inclusive cultures and really value people in our organisation, view our Allyship video on YouTube to find out more:
The main terms and conditions of service can be found here:
Please view the attached job description and person specification to view the full details about the role
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if there are a high amount of applications