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Job summary

Main area
Addictions Services
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 6
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Part time - 30 hours per week (4-day week within Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)
Job ref
383-SPE-5986-25
Employer
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Saint Mary's Gate, Chesterfield
Town
Chesterfield
Salary
£38,682 - £46,580 pa pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
31/08/2025 23:59
Interview date
15/09/2025
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust logo

Health Improvement Nurse

NHS AfC: Band 6

Want to make a real difference and have a truly rewarding career?  Join 'Team Derbyshire Healthcare' and become part of a talented, compassionate and enthusiastic workforce committed to a vision of ‘making a positive difference in people's lives’.

We’ve been rated ‘good’ overall by the CQC, with some outstanding services.  The CQC commented at our most recent inspection on how our colleagues “treated patients with compassion and kindness” and “felt positive and proud about working for the trust.

We are passionate about making equality, diversity and inclusion part of our DNA. We take pride in our “People First Culture” which creates a workplace where everyone feels a genuine sense of belonging, difference is celebrated, and people are comfortable to bring their whole selves to work. We value the richness that comes from having colleagues that are fully representative of the local community. We welcome people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, protected characteristics, and with all backgrounds and experiences.

 

Job overview

Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (DHCFT) is the lead partner is the Derbyshire Recovery Partnership (DRP) – the service commissioned by Public Health in Derbyshire to provide treatment and recovery support to adults using substances or alcohol who have chosen to engage with interventions.

 

The Health Improvement Nurse is a passionate advocate for their patients, and explicitly tackles the health inequalities and disparities that typify this patient cohort.  This role requires practitioners who are enthusiastic and passionate about harm reduction and recovery interventions.

 

The role requires the delivery of bespoke harm reduction interventions, BBV testing and vaccinations, smoking cessation advice and referrals, as well as general health management. The focus of the role will be on improving the uptake of BBV testing and Hep B vaccinations and support into treatment services, as well as reducing health inequalities and disparities for those accessing substance and alcohol use treatment.

Main duties of the job

  • To assess need for health improvement interventions for people using substances or alcohol, in order to identify healthcare needs and prioritise support via the most appropriate service.
  • The Health Improvement Nurse will provide appropriate vaccinations and BBV testing, and complete holistic healthcare assessments with patients with relevant co-morbidities.
  • To supply Naloxone to appropriate service users either as part of care package or as a harm reduction intervention.
  • To work closely with GPs, DHCFT Medical Prescribers, Non-Medical Prescribers, Pharmacists and Consultant Psychiatrists to ensure that clients receive an effective and co-ordinated response to their needs in accordance with local guidance and DHCFT policies.

Working for our organisation

Want to make a real difference and have a truly rewarding career?  Join 'Team Derbyshire Healthcare' and become part of a talented, compassionate and enthusiastic workforce committed to a vision of ‘making a positive difference in people's lives’.

We’ve been rated ‘good’ overall by the CQC, with some outstanding services.  The CQC commented at our most recent inspection on how our colleagues “treated patients with compassion and kindness” and “felt positive and proud about working for the trust.

We are passionate about making equality, diversity and inclusion part of our DNA. We take pride in our “People First Culture” which creates a workplace where everyone feels a genuine sense of belonging, difference is celebrated, and people are comfortable to bring their whole selves to work. We value the richness that comes from having colleagues that are fully representative of the local community.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • To assess need for health improvement interventions for people using substances or alcohol, in order to identify healthcare needs and prioritise support via the most appropriate service.
  • The Health Improvement Nurse will provide appropriate vaccinations and BBV testing, and complete holistic healthcare assessments with patients with relevant co-morbidities.
  • To supply Naloxone to appropriate service users either as part of care package or as a harm reduction intervention.
  • To work closely with GPs, DHCFT Medical Prescribers, Non-Medical Prescribers, Pharmacists and Consultant Psychiatrists to ensure that clients receive an effective and co-ordinated response to their needs in accordance with local guidance and DHCFT policies.
  • To liaise with mental health services both internal and external to DHCFT to help provide a holistic care package for service users with dual diagnosis. To work alongside keyworkers and CPNs to support engagement and harm reduction interventions for this group.
  • To provide harm reduction advice and health information to service users. This can include specialist needle and syringe exchange and advice on safer injecting, advice on healthy eating and provision of smoking cessation support.
  • To undertake clinical tests with service users including drug tests, BBV tests, blood tests and ECGs in line with DHCFT policy and procedures. To work alongside keyworkers and prescribers to incorporate test results into risk assessments and care plans.
  • To support service users into Hepatitis C treatment and liaise with treatment services.
  • The post holder will have a high clinical profile that includes the provision of hands-on care, having a global overview of all care packages and clinical activities within their area.
  • To provide advice and education information about services and about drug/alcohol issues to enable people to better understand the issues and to approach services appropriately.
  • To work with service users involved in the criminal justice system and liaise with appropriate services regarding their treatment provision with a focus on improving health outcomes.
  • To work in relation to the Think Family agenda and work closely with social care and health agencies and professionals when working with parents with substance or alcohol use treatment needs. To be pro-active in relation to safeguarding children, child/family focused care planning and risk assessment including home visits where appropriate.
  • To work with clients in both individual and group settings to address issues around the health impact of drug/alcohol use.
  • To support the development and delivery of new initiatives around physical health. This includes take-home naloxone, mobile ECG and health assessments and advice.
  • To record all activity accurately and in a timely fashion using the IT systems, to ensure safe communication and that NDTMS and local reporting requirements are met.
  • The post holder will be working with service users who will have significant issues such as high-risk behaviour, dual diagnosis, and substance use and this can be challenging and demanding. They will therefore have to adopt appropriate support strategies including use of supervision and Multi-Disciplinary Meetings.
  • Promote and participate in developing a culture of Life-Long Learning
  • At all times ensure that they and any Health Improvement Team colleagues, for whom they have supervisory responsibility, take every opportunity for professional development.
  • Ensure that they and all colleagues for whom they have managerial or clinical supervisory responsibility attend relevant mandatory training as identified by DHCFT.
  • Actively participate in practice development and encourage, through role modelling, continued practice development within the Health Improvement Team and Derbyshire Recovery Partnership.
  • Undertake clinical audits within the designated base, ensuring fridge temperatures, the clinic room, personal alarms and safety measures are compliant.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Registered Nurse – RGN/RMN
Desirable criteria
  • Teaching, Supervision or Management

Values

Essential criteria
  • Passion and enthusiasm for working with the patient cohort
Desirable criteria
  • Non-judgmental, person-centred approach to harm reduction

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge of Harm Reduction Principles
  • Knowledge of impact of substance and alcohol on health
Desirable criteria
  • Knowledge of current Hepatitis C treatment pathways
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Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Ben Keetley
Job title
Service Manager Substance and Alcohol Use Services
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07774 039680

If you have problems applying, contact

Address
Recruitment Team
Kingsway Hospital
Telephone
01332 564856 option 1, option 1

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