Job summary
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Are you ready to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people facing substance use challenges? Whether you're just stepping into the world of addiction nursing or bringing years of experience in mental health, the ARC Hounslow team welcomes you to grow, thrive, and transform lives with us.
An exciting opportunity has become available at ARC Hounslow to work within the Addictions Team as a Band 6 Clinical Nurse Specialist or a Band 5‑6 developmental opportunity. This is a DATRIG Post until 31/03/2026 with a possibility of an extension.
The aim of the role is to provide specialist addiction nursing support in the form of assessment, engagement and intervention for patients with substance use needs, supporting integration into the community, preventing re‑offending and facilitating engagement to the local community substance misuse team ARC.
Responsibilities
* To work as a member of the multidisciplinary team in the management and treatment provision of the specialist service to people with problematic use of novel psychoactive substances with associated problem drink and drug use, including harm minimisation approaches, motivational interviewing, relapse prevention, care planning, individual intervention, health assessments and education, detoxification programmes, pre and post test BBVs counselling and vaccination, and group work.
* To assess continuously the psychological, emotional, social and rehabilitative needs of own clients/patients, taking into account the needs of family, local community and developing systematic plans for care and evaluation of treatment plans.
* To be able to assess and case‑manage clients who inject drugs, in particular assessing injection sites and be conversant with the precepts of harm minimisation.
* To use agreed and established Treatment Outcome Monitoring Tools (TOP) and any other relevant quality measures.
* To contribute to the development, provision and review of care plans.
* To manage the transfer of individuals between agencies and services.
* To counsel individuals about their substance use and related behaviours, using motivational interviewing, relapse management and other evidence‑based interventions.
* To provide clinical advice and support to other colleagues within the health care setting and to other agencies concerned with substance misuse.
* To be responsible for the safe and effective storage and administration of drugs, exercising responsibility for the custody and maintenance of statutory records of such drugs in accordance with the Trust Policies/Procedures on the supply and carriage of drugs in the community.
* To ensure full risk assessments and risk management is delivered effectively.
* To undertake dry blood spot testing for BBV and urinalysis when required.
* To screen clients at risk of, or affected by, blood‑borne diseases and to plan and agree service responses according to needs.
* To provide education and to assertively promote Hepatitis B vaccination for clients who are at risk of contracting the virus.
* To administer Hepatitis B vaccination in accordance with CNWL Medicine Policies and Protocols.
* To provide pre and post‑test discussion to clients screened for blood‑borne viruses in accordance with CNWL guidelines.
* To ensure the CNWL Hepatitis care plan is used for all clients.
* To actively promote attendance at the hepatology clinic for clients affected by liver disease.
* To collaborate with the individual Statutory, Non‑Statutory teams, GPs, Primary Care Services, Virology, Chemical Pathology and Liver/Gastroenterology Departments, and provide expert care without direct medical supervision, using clinical guidance documents and patient group directions as agreed by the Trust.
* To assist in the transfer of individuals between the service and Hepatology/Gastroenterology and other relevant agencies.
* To be familiar with the Trust and local Resuscitation, Infection Control and Needle‑Stick Injury Policies and Procedures.
* To attend mandatory yearly updates on CPR and Anaphylaxis training.
* To ensure an understanding and implementation of clinical governance.
* The post holder will work within CNWLs Child Protection Policy and in partnership within all agencies responsible for ensuring compliance with the local Safeguarding Children’s Board working practices.
* To prepare reports and attend client meetings such as professional network meetings, Child Protection Case Conferences and Core Group meetings as required.
* To plan and agree service responses which meet the individual need and circumstances of clients at risk of, or affected by, substance misuse during pregnancy.
* To recognise the professional duty of care to protect where clients present a risk to themselves or others, and comply with statutory requirements regarding Safeguarding Children, Child Protection including the Children Act 1989 and Hidden Harm guidelines.
* To assess risk behaviours of clients, provide information and implications of any risks identified on health and social well‑being and work with clients to address and modify risk behaviours to promote positive changes.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications (Essential)
* Registered Mental Health nurse
Education and Qualifications (Desirable)
* Mentorship qualification
Experience (Essential)
* Experience managing a caseload in the community
* Experience of working with addictions
* Experience of working with dual diagnosis clients and those experiencing mental health issues
* Experience in Risk Management and care planning
Skills and Knowledge (Essential)
* Able to build constructive relationships with empathy, using good communication skills
* An understanding of safeguarding issues in relation to adults and children
* Experience of working within a multi‑disciplinary team.
* Ability to work within a harm minimisation model
Other 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.
Certificate of Sponsorship: 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).
UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Details
Date posted: 28 October 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: 5
Salary: £35,763 to £52,521 a year per annum inc. Outer HCAS pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 5 months
Working pattern: Full‑time
Reference number: 333‑D‑AD‑0527‑A
Job location: ARC Hounslow, Montague Hall, Montague Road, Hounslow TW3 1LD
Employer Details
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
ARC Hounslow
Montague Hall, Montague Road, Hounslow TW3 1LD
Hounslow
TW3 1LD
Employer's website: https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/work (Opens in a new tab)
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