Job summary Alcohol causes a wide range of conditions and is a contributing factor causing harm, accidents, violence and self-harm in patients. Over 1.1 million hospital admissions each year have alcohol as a casual factor (NHS, 2019). Dependent drinkers are at the highest risk of alcohol related conditions. This is an exciting opportunity to join our Alcohol Care Team based in Ipswich Hospital. The Alcohol Care Team (ACT) primarily provide specialist expertise and interventions for alcohol dependent patients, and those presenting with acute intoxication or other alcohol related complications, attending ED or admitted as an inpatient. The Alcohol Specialist Nurse will work within the team with community alcohol services, dual diagnosis, safeguarding and multiple other specialities to provide holistic, individualised care. The role is very diverse; you could find yourself working either in ED or on the inpatient wards within the hospital. You would also be running outpatient face to face alcohol support clinics and managing a caseload. If you would like to join our ACT and have a real passion to support this complex and vulnerable patient group, we would like to hear from you. The posts are at Band 6, both full time and part time and will be based on a seven-day service, with lone working at the weekend. Main duties of the job As an Alcohol Specialist Nurse you will provide a comprehensive alcohol assessment, identify alcohol dependence and withdrawal, manage detoxification regimes, contribute to care planning, provide psychosocial interventions and an MDT approach, plan safe discharge and referral to community services. You will be responsible for overseeing the withdrawal process from alcohol and work with patients who are experiencing withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and other issues that may arise during this time. You will provide support and counselling to help patients through their recovery process. This will include helping them find treatment programs or services that will aid in their long-term sobriety, supporting them with housing, finances, safeguarding, mental health and domestic abuse. You will provide support and education to clinical staff teaching them how to identify and treat withdrawal symptoms and how to provide brief interventions to the patient for alcohol support. The ACT also facilitate nurse led outpatient clinics to manage the holistic treatment for patients in recovery from their alcohol dependency and for those patients who require surveillance for their stable liver cirrhosis caused by alcohol. About us We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes. We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff. We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options. Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services. Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients. We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients. If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you. Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?vGkPu7HphU8A Date posted 05 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 6 Salary £37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum pro rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time Reference number 432-HR2306-24 Job locations Ipswich Hospital Heath Road Ipswich IP4 5PD Job description Job responsibilities For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description. Job description Job responsibilities For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description. Person Specification Experience Essential Relevant post registration experience, at Band 5 or above, in patients with alcohol misuse and gastroenterology nursing speciality A proven ability of prioritizing/triaging a workload and working autonomously Understanding of evidence based practice Ability to work independently and use initiative Experience of teaching Ability to support and influence change Desirable Clinical audit and research Leadership and management Service development Experience in working in addiction Non-medical prescribing Qualifications Essential Current NMC registration BSc (Hons) in related subject or undertaking a degree pathway Evidence of continued professional development Desirable Specialist qualification in addiction/alcohol abuse or ACT competencies Knowledge Essential Understanding of the Recovery pathways Understanding of addiction Understanding of liver disease Competent computer skills Desirable ACT competencies or other qualification in addiction RCN Liver competencies Liver post graduate module Skills Essential Reliable and conscientious with a professional yet empathetic approach to patients/families Ability to deal with complex and difficult emotional situations Organisation and negotiation skills Ability to motivate self and others Ability to work independently and as part of a team Good time management skills Desirable Research skills Teaching/assessment and presentation skills Leadership and motivational skills Ability to use database systems and Microsoft applications Person Specification Experience Essential Relevant post registration experience, at Band 5 or above, in patients with alcohol misuse and gastroenterology nursing speciality A proven ability of prioritizing/triaging a workload and working autonomously Understanding of evidence based practice Ability to work independently and use initiative Experience of teaching Ability to support and influence change Desirable Clinical audit and research Leadership and management Service development Experience in working in addiction Non-medical prescribing Qualifications Essential Current NMC registration BSc (Hons) in related subject or undertaking a degree pathway Evidence of continued professional development Desirable Specialist qualification in addiction/alcohol abuse or ACT competencies Knowledge Essential Understanding of the Recovery pathways Understanding of addiction Understanding of liver disease Competent computer skills Desirable ACT competencies or other qualification in addiction RCN Liver competencies Liver post graduate module Skills Essential Reliable and conscientious with a professional yet empathetic approach to patients/families Ability to deal with complex and difficult emotional situations Organisation and negotiation skills Ability to motivate self and others Ability to work independently and as part of a team Good time management skills Desirable Research skills Teaching/assessment and presentation skills Leadership and motivational skills Ability to use database systems and Microsoft applications 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). Additional 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). 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). Employer details Employer name East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust Address Ipswich Hospital Heath Road Ipswich IP4 5PD Employer's website https://www.esneft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)