Lead Alcohol Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job summary
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job
University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust are looking for a proactive, knowledgeable Lead Alcohol Clinical Nurse Specialist to lead the Alcohol Care Team (ACT).

The ACT is a comprehensive 7-day service funded as the region's early implementer site, part of the NHS long-term plan. Under your leadership, the alcohol care team will demonstrate improvement in patient outcomes, target patients with the greatest need, offer consistent support to clinical teams, and reduce the burden on acute services.

All applicants are encouraged to make contact with us for an informal discussion to learn more about the service and the role prior to submitting an application.

About us
University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS, we're committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognising that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We're committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Job responsibilities
The Band 7 Lead Alcohol Clinical Nurse Specialist will provide Nursing leadership to enhance the effectiveness of the service, and reduce the risk of unsafe management of adult patients with alcohol dependence across all divisions in UHS, as well as contributing to the clinical rota. You will work across professional, departmental and Trust boundaries to develop and support patient-centred seamless care, with responsibility for leading nurse-led alcohol care initiatives.

You will be a skilled Practitioner in the assessment and management of alcohol use disorder, able to deliver care meeting up to date national guidance and research. Interventions will include Identification and brief advice (IBA), medically assisted alcohol withdrawal (MAAW) and motivational interviewing (MI).You will need to maintain a level of competence to provide specialist clinical advice and support to staff within the hospital and other agencies concerned with substance misuse more broadly; supporting the development of policies and procedures within the hospital for substance use clients and services.ACTs provide a liaison service to teams across UHS for some of the most complex and vulnerable patients who have often experienced significant levels of trauma and have complex social situations as well as comorbid physical and mental health conditions. As such the supervision and development of the team requires an experienced team leader.

Person Specification
Qualifications, knowledge and experience
Essential

• Registered nurse on relevant part of the NMC register
• Level 7 Post Grad Cert (Min 60 Credits), Master's Degree within relevant speciality or equivalent knowledge to be assessed through evidence of relevant speciality training, experience or portfolio
• Specialist training / Qualification in area of practice
• Provide evidence of leading learning in practice
• Evidence of experience and completion of all band 6 competencies within relevant speciality
• Specialist clinical skills and experience within specialist area
• Evidence of change Management, leadership and innovation
• Clinical experience at Band 6 or equivalent within relevant speciality
• Provide evidence of supporting colleagues to promote learning in practice providing an excellent learning environment for all
• Provide evidence of supporting / managing and supervision of a range of learnings in practice

Desirable

• Counselling / advanced communication skills qualification / training
• Act in the role of Practice Assessor or supporting the progression of learners / supporting challenges as needed
• Experience of nurse-led care / clinics in own practice
• Team leadership role
• Registered as an independent prescriber
• Leadership Qualification / training

Trust Values and Behaviours
Essential

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

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).

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).

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).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).