Job overview
Stockport’s Drug and Alcohol Service are recruiting an experienced prescribing Nurse Consultant/Clinical Lead to shape the future of our specialist substance misuse services and act as subject matter expert to offer clinical support, training and advice both within the Trust and to external partners including the Acute trust and Primary Care. This is a senior leadership position for an expert practitioner who can combine advanced clinical expertise with strategic service development and strong multidisciplinary leadership.
This role combines advanced clinical practice with service development, staff leadership, and partnership working across health, social care, voluntary sectors, and co-ordination of the service medical and prescribing offer.
This role is central to ensuring safe, effective, evidence‑based care for people experiencing drug and alcohol dependence, overseeing clinical governance, including quality assurance, incident review, risk management, and safeguarding processes and to driving continuous improvement across all pathways.
This is a rare opportunity to take a strategic leadership role in a service committed to service development, partnership, and improving outcomes for people affected by drug and alcohol dependence. You will have the autonomy to shape clinical practice, strengthen pathways, and lead an enthusiastic, multidisciplinary team.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will operate as the day to day Clinical Lead for the services. This includes the day to day prescribing for addictions and clinical management of a service client group of up to 1000 people at any one time.
The post holder will sit as a member the Drug and Alcohol Directorate’s Senior Management Team in the Drug and Alcohol Service (the provider of all specialised adult prescribing for drug addiction (OST) for the borough, and oversees or delivers all of the specialist prescribing for alcohol, working alongside the borough’s GPs.)
They will be responsible for whole episodes of care including the assessment, formulation of treatment, initiation or review and delivery of the required specialist interventions, (including prescribing, of controlled drugs for addiction and other specialist packages of care relevant to the delivery of specialist substance misuse services). These will be delivered by the Clinical Team and the wider staff team with Clinical leadership and decision making provided by the post-holder.
The post holder will carry a small caseload of the most complex clients.
The post holder will act as specialist expert resource for the provision of highly specialised accurate, contemporary and evidenced based drug and alcohol information and advice across a range of borough and wider settings.
Working for our organisation
We are proud to provide high quality mental health and learning disability services, both inpatient and in the community across five boroughs of Greater Manchester - Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside and Glossop.
Our vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities and our staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use our services. We’re really proud of our #PennineCarePeople and do everything we can to make sure we’re a great place to work.
All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership are encouraged to apply for this post. We would also encourage applications from individuals with a lived experience of mental illness, either individually or as a carer.
If you come and work for us we will offer a range of benefits and opportunities, including:
* Generous annual leave entitlement for Agenda for Change and Medical and Dental staff.
* Flexible working opportunities to support your work/life balance
* Access to Continued Professional Development
* Involvement in improvement and research activities
* Health and Wellbeing activities and access to an excellent staff wellbeing service
* Access to staff discounts across retail, leisure and travel
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To hold lead responsibility (alongside the Trust Lead for Addictions, Head of Service and Service Doctor) for the delivery of safe, effective, evidence based clinical interventions for the service users.
• To act autonomously to undertake highly specialised assessments of the
clinical needs of people with substance misuse issues, and instigate recovery focussed, clinical /nurse led interventions (including highly specialised prescribing for addictions),
• To be responsible for assessing, autonomously instigating and reviewing, thedelivery of highly specialised packages of care for the most complex Service Users. To be responsible for the ongoing management of the same including in conjunction with other specialist services across the borough and at a regional level where necessary.
• To provide highly specialist advice and direction regarding drug and alcohol addiction, treatment and prescribing to staff across the borough both from within the Trust and other partner agencies and also to volunteers, carers.
• To receive, assess, assimilate and provide complex and sensitive information to service users/families/carers and to communicate this via various formats.
This information could be upsetting and unwelcome to the recipient regarding treatment decisions.
• Have the ability to use appropriate clinical equipment relating to service user health screening. This includes highly specialised care and interventions for physical health issues such as ECGs, Interventions and treatments for blood borne viruses ( Hepatitis C) and as part of national programs such as Flu vaccinations.
• Contribute towards the development and sustainability of multidisciplinary and multi agency working
• To be responsible for the receiving, assimilation, interpretation and
implementation of national and local clinical policies and procedures and for the development of services and interventions in line with these expectations.
• To hold responsibility (alongside the Head of Service) for the management of relevant aspects of the service financial budget and resources, including the management of the borough’s prescribing budget alongside the
commissioners.
• To provide specialist clinical and supervisory support for MOSAIC, young person’s substance misuse service including the in-reach nursing provision delivered by Pennine Care and advice and guidance for the prescribing GP.
This is provided under a bespoke contractual arrangement with Pennine Care.
Person specification
Education/Qulifications
Essential criteria
* Current appropriate Nursing Registration
* Post registration qualification in a related subject :- Non-Medical Prescriber
* Qualification and experience in an appropriate and experience in a relevant specialist field.
* Masters Degree in relevant subject
* Teaching, training or mentorship qualification or able to evidence equivalent experience in an appropriate field.
* Clinical Leadership and management qualification or commensurate relevant experience.
* Evidence of continued professional development- maintenance of portfolio of CPD evidence commensurate with the post and re-validation requirements
* Proven experience of working in the field of substance misuse in a senior leadership/clinical leadership role and of delivering highly specialist clinical services.
* Experience of initiating, managing and overseeing a wide range of highly specialised, complex, high volume, prescribing and clinical interventions Experience of promoting lifelong professional learning Application/ Interview AFC 8/3/22 JME-041-22 Nurse Consultant Band 8b relevant to the substance misuse field, implemented and delivered to recognised national standards and within expected governance standards, and for leading and overseeing those governance standards for the service (including legislated standards for controlled drugs- under the advice and direction of the appropriate Chief Pharmacist and Responsible Officer)
* Experience of developing and delivering clinical interventions for the client group.
* Experience of responding to, and leading the implementation of, developments in national clinical guidelines and clinical developments (e.g Buvidal, New protocol Hepatitis C treatments) for the service and to act as an expert advisor for partners in the borough
* Evidence of acting in a senior clinical / leadership role working in partnerships, multi-agency and multi-disciplinary forums
* Experience of instigating, developing and providing implementing training for both packages the service and in a leadership role for the service across the Trust services and partners in the borough.
* Experience of providing both line management and clinical supervision.
* Evidence of leading on the development and delivering clinical and prescribing packages (including the obtaining, assimilation and dissemination of nationally mandated programs and other recommended developments).
* Experience of providing leadership guidance and support to volunteers. AFC 8/3/22 JME-041-22 Nurse Consultant Band 8b Experience of developing and delivering training packages.
* Demonstrable significant experience of working in a nurse leader/senior managerial role across a range of settings and subject areas (e.g. Mental Health and Substance use).
* Experience of effective budget and resource management.
* Involvement in pre and post registration training and development
* highly specialised knowledge of treatment modalities/interventions in the clinical area.
* In-depth, specialist knowledge of best practise in adhering to clinical guidelines (as they apply to substance misuse and mental health).
* In depth, specialist knowledge of the clinical role within the recovery agenda ( as it applies to Substance Misuse Services).
* Advanced specialist knowledge of the nursing role within evolving healthcare agendas as they relate to substance misuse services and service users (e.g. Co-morbid co- occurring mental and physical health issues, Hepatitis C and other Blood Borne viruses and Drug Related Deaths)
* Ability to analyse and interpret complex clinical issues including advanced assessment, treatment and evaluation skills in order to work with cases that are highly complex and carry a high level of risk.
* Ability to work under own initiative and Application/ Interview AFC 8/3/22 JME-041-22 Nurse Consultant Band 8b autonomously including completing complex analytical and creative problem solving skills in unpredictable situations.
* Ability to communicate complex clinical, sensitive and sometimes unwelcome information to service users, carers, workers within the service and other professionals. (This includes information regarding advised courses of treatment which may not be in line with service user and workers requests-e.g. frequency of attendance at pharmacies, recommended medication doses and treatment access conditions)
* Ability to use appropriate clinical equipment including performing and supervising specialise tests, processes and procedures appropriate to the role and the service area.
* Skill, knowledge, ability and confidence to deal with challenging situations and emergencies in a clinical and organisational setting.
* Ability to interpret and disseminate policies and procedures including nationally mandated policies and guidelines and best practice advice.
* Research and audit and training skills.
* Ability to provide line management and supervision.
* Ability to use appropriate IT packages and interpret and put into practice the clinical information from the data produced.
* Use of a car or access to a means of mobility to travel across the Trust footprint in line with service needs Willing to carry out all duties and Application/ Interview AFC 8/3/22 JME-041-22 Nurse Consultant Band 8b responsibilities of the post in accordance with the Trust’s Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies Appointments to regulated and controlled activities require an enhanced DBS disclosure.
Desirable criteria
* Relevant training qualification
* Experience of promoting lifelong professional learning
* Involvement in pre and post registration training and development
📝 Application support - We recommend tailoring your application to each role you apply for, particularly your supporting information. This gives you the best chance of success. Your supporting information should clearly explain, with examples, how your skills and experience meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role.
We understand that some candidates may use AI tools to help prepare their application. This is not restricted, however, any AI support should only be used to enhance your own writing and must reflect your genuine skills and experience. You will be asked to talk about your application at interview. Applications that contain false or misleading information may be removed from the recruitment process.
We also offer virtual application support sessions each month, where you will learn some hints and tips to support you in completing your application form. To secure your place, and to find out more visit the on our website.
🌍 Sponsorship Information - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the
📬 After You Apply - Once your application is submitted, you’ll receive updates via email. Shortlisting is based on how well you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, and invitations will be sent by email.
✅ If You're Offered the Role - If successful, the hiring manager will contact you directly with a verbal offer. They will then notify the Recruitment Team and submit the necessary paperwork. You’ll receive a formal conditional offer via email
🔍 Pre-Employment Checks - To confirm your suitability for the role, we will carry out pre-employment checks in line with. These include:
* Identity verification
* Right to work check
* Disclosure and barring service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role)
* Professional registration and/or qualification check
* Occupational health assessment
* Employment history and reference validation
All applicants external to Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust will be required to provide their to cover the most recent three years employment. This information will used to validate employment history and references.
If you require sponsorship, we will assess your eligibility based on current If the role is not eligible and you cannot demonstrate your right to work, your conditional offer may be withdrawn.
🚀 Once Checks Are Complete -
The Recruitment Team will coordinate with you and the hiring manager to confirm a start date. You’ll be booked onto a Trust Welcome Session and receive your Pennine Care NHS Terms and Conditions.
📣 Additional Information -
We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds to help us grow, innovate, and improve.
If you wish to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.
If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact us on 0161 716 3181 as early as possible so we can support you.
Please note:
* We do not accept unsolicited contact from recruitment agencies. Hiring managers should not be contacted directly.
* We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. If you have a disability or long‑term health condition and need extra time or adjustments to complete your application, please contact us as soon as possible. We will ensure you are not disadvantaged where a reasonable adjustment is appropriate.