Job summary
Join Our Team as an Alcohol and Substances Specialist Nurse

Are you passionate about making a difference in patients' lives through expert care and leadership? We are seeking a dedicated Alcohol and Substances Specialist Nurse to play a vital role in our acute hospital Alcohol and Substances Care Team.

About the Role:

• Assess patients' care needs and develop tailored care programmes
• Implement and evaluate care plans for specific patient groups
• Support the holistic care of all patients across the hospital
• Undertake assertive outreach to support patients into treatment
• Safeguard and advocate for vulnerable members of our community

Leadership and Support:

• Promote evidence-based practice across the team
• Support the Alcohol Service Manager in the smooth running of the service and deputise in their absence
• Represent the team at partnership meetings

What We Offer:

• An opportunity to shape and deliver specialist Alcohol and Substances Services
• A supportive environment committed to professional development and excellence in patient care

Make a difference in your community. Join us today.

Main duties of the job
Are you a healthcare professional with expertise in managing clients with complex substance use issues? We are seeking a dedicated nurse specialist to provide expert care for vulnerable members of our community.

About the Role:

• Deliver clinical expertise in the identification, assessment, treatment, and management of individuals who use drugs and alcohol, including those at increasing risk, experiencing harm, or dependency
• Provide hospital-to-home detoxification services and offer advice, treatment, and management for dependent drinkers and drug users across hospital settings
• Support improved standards of care through practice supervision, clinical audits, evidence-based approaches, and professional teaching
• Play a key role in clinical governance and contribute to continuous service improvement

Leadership and Collaboration:

• Support the Trust-wide Alcohol and Substances Steering Group to enhance care and reduce drug and alcohol-related harm
• Help develop pathways for seamless transition to community services
• Contribute to case management of frequent hospital attenders and undertake assertive outreach as needed

What We Offer:

• An opportunity to deliver and influence specialist alcohol and drug services
• A collaborative, supportive environment focused on improving patient outcomes and reducing harm

About us
The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) provides hospital and integrated health and social care services to over one million people living across Greater Manchester. Our 20,000 colleagues care for people in hospital and in the community, working across Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Salford, to save and improve lives.

As a large NHS trust we are committed to enhancing the health of our local population by delivering consistently high standards of care and working closely with local authorities and key partners. We believe in our power and potential to make a difference and we are always looking for people who demonstrate our three core values, care, appreciate and inspire, to join our team.

In return, we can offer you a job role with purpose and flexibility. The size and scale of the NCA means we can provide more challenge and opportunities so your career can always be moving in the right direction. By joining us you can also access a competitive benefits package, including a fantastic annual leave allowance, flexible working opportunities and protected hours for health and wellbeing activities, helping you to achieve more personal downtime and a better work-life balance.

Learn more about us in our Candidate Information Pack

Details
Date posted: 16 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: Depending on experience
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 236-SUR-NM736-26-A
Job location: Salford Royal Infirmary, Stott Lane, Salford, M6 8HD, United Kingdom

Person Specification
Registration

• Registered Nurse with current NMC registration (Part 1 Adult / General Level 1 or 2)
• Nursing degree or equivalent

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Experience in identification, assessment and management of alcohol withdrawals
• Evidence of continuous professional development (CPD)
• Demonstrates evidence based clinical knowledge of specialty (Alcohol)
• Experience of delivering alcohol related interventions within a clinical setting
• Communicates succinctly, clearly and accurately both verbally and in writing
• Be an effective team member who is able to relate to colleagues at all levels
• Demonstrate initiative to proactively problem solve with a solution focus
• Ability to use reflective practice, to continuously improve the standard of patient care
• Ability to travel to different geographical locations across the Trust footprint in line with service needs

Desirable

• Full UK driving license with willingness to use own car for work purposes

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.

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 on the criminal records checks for overseas applicants page.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Salford Royal Infirmary, Stott Lane, Salford, M6 8HD, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk/

Contact
Senior Alcohol and Substances Nurse Specialist, Nicola Liggett, Nicola.Liggett@nca.nhs.uk, 01612060528