Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust for a Band 7 Clinical Nurse Specialist to lead the clinical delivery of our brand-new Alcohol Care Team (ACT).

This is a genuinely rare chance to help build a specialist service from the ground up. Backed by our Drug and Alcohol Strategy 2030, the ACT will transform how BHT identifies, treats and supports patients affected by alcohol-related harm -- one of the single biggest and fastest-growing causes of ill health in our local population. You will play a lead clinical role in shaping pathways, driving early intervention, and reducing the alcohol harm paradox that hits our most deprived communities hardest.

The team will sit within Integrated Medicine and will be led by our newly appointed Matron for Gastroenterology. You will work across the acute site and with community and specialist partners including One Recovery Bucks, BeHealthyBucks and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust to deliver joined-up, patient-centred care.

We're looking for an experienced, confident nurse leader who is passionate about tackling stigma, improving outcomes for vulnerable patients, and making a genuine, measurable difference to the health of the Buckinghamshire population.

Experience in alcohol care, addictions, liver disease, or a related specialist field is strongly desirable, as is a track record of clinical leadership and service development.

Main duties of the job

• Provides expert clinical leadership for the new Alcohol Care Team, working autonomously across the acute trust.
• Leads systematic screening, assessment and treatment planning for patients with alcohol dependence and related harm.
• Champions safe, structured alcohol detoxification pathways, moving away from unplanned, ad hoc care.
• Builds and maintains strong referral pathways with specialist partners including One Recovery Bucks and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.
• Delivers education, training and awareness for colleagues to build confidence in recognising and responding to alcohol-related harm.
• Works with the Matron and wider Drug and Alcohol Strategy Board to shape the ongoing strategic direction of the service.
• Supports clinical audit, data collection and service evaluation to demonstrate impact and drive continuous improvement.
• Displays excellent communication, leadership and advocacy skills, always championing person-centred, non-stigmatising care.

About us
Listen to why colleagues think we are a great place to work! - BHT - A great place to work (buckshealthcare.nhs.uk)

What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?

• As part of our BHT family, you'll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
• We offer flexible and agile working opportunities, alongside your NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement, pension and access to NHS discount schemes.
• We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.

Why work for us?

• We're committed to promoting inclusion and making sure all colleagues feel they belong. We encourage new colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply.
• As an employer, we aim to create a workplace where differences are valued and colleagues treat one another with dignity and respect.
• Greater diversity within our BHT family improves positive outcomes for the people and communities we serve.
• A keen supporter of the Armed Forces Community who know the value of employing a service leaver/veteran and their families.

What do we stand for?

• Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.
• Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.
• Our care values are collaborate, aspire, respect and enable.

Job responsibilities
For a comprehensive list of responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to the Job Description and Person Specification by downloading the JD and PS attachment in the advert.

If you are an internal applicant there is the option for secondment, all applicants must have the endorsement/support of their line manager prior to application.

If you have a disability that makes submitting this online application difficult and would like assistance, please contact us on bht.recruitment@nhs.net quoting the vacancy reference number.

Person Specification
Education, Qualifications and Training
Essential

• Registered Adult Nurse with current NMC registration
• Degree in Nursing or equivalent professional qualification
• Evidence of continuing professional development in Alcohol care or addiction or willingness to work towards
• Recognised alcohol care or gastroenterology qualification (e.g. Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate, or equivalent experience in Diabetes Management).

Desirable

• Independent Non-Medical Prescriber (V300)
• Master's degree or evidence of Master's level study in a relevant subject
• Teaching, mentorship, or practice assessor qualification.
• Training in addiction

Experience
Essential

• Extensive experience caring for people with addiction or complex gastroenterological health issues
• Experience supporting patients with referrals for onward care and those going through detoxification programmes
• Experience delivering structured education to patients and carers and staff
• Experience providing autonomous specialist clinical advice and support

Desirable

• Experience with drug and alcohol detoxification programmes
• Experience leading an alcohol care service
• Experience presenting education sessions to healthcare professionals
• Experience of managing complex patients and high intensity users across inpatient and outpatient settings

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).