Job summary
We are looking for a healthcareassistant with an interest in supporting people who are experiencingproblematic alcohol or drug use, to join our Via R3 Substance Misuse Servicesin Gloucestershire.
Based in our nursing team, thisnew role will provide you with significant scope for growth and innovationwithin a supportive and friendly multidisciplinary team of clinical andnon-clinical professionals.
Main duties of the job
The main purpose of the role isto provide excellent quality of care to those who use our services accessingtreatment with us and improving their health and outcomes.
Responsibilities will includethe following:
To offer harm reduction adviceand information including overdose prevention, wound awareness, and naloxone.
To carry out dry blood sporttesting, and referral for Hepatitis B vaccinations and Hepatitis C treatment ifrequired.
To carry out HealthcareAssessments for new and existing people.
Support them to improve theirhealth with referrals to other relevant services, such as Smoking Cessation, orthe Falls Clinic.
Within this role, the healthcareassistant will be provided with training to take on additional clinical dutiessuch as ECGs, and - following successful completion of the probationary periodand relevant mandatory and foundation training (, NVQ Level 3) - could beeligible to be supported by Via to complete a nursing qualification.
About us
Adult Drug and AlcoholServices across Gloucestershire transferred to Via on 1stApril2024. The role is part of Vias structure and provides a great opportunity tobuild on existing service strengths, drive new developments and make a positiveimpact as part of this new contract.
Job description
Job responsibilities
RolePurpose
To offer harm reductionadvice and information including overdose prevention, wound awareness, andnaloxone.
To carry out DBST, andreferral for Hepatitis C treatment if required.
To carry out HealthcareAssessments for new and people already in services.
Use appropriate infectioncontrol procedures and maintain work areas in each clinical room so that theyare clean, safe and free from hazards reporting any potential risks identified.
Record information andactivities undertaken with service users in an accurate and timely manner,maintaining confidentiality and data security at all times.
Keyduties and activities of the role
ClinicalPractice
Undertake initial physicaland mental health screening for people who use our services and ensureappropriate sign posting/referral to primary care or appropriate secondaryhealth care services for identified health issues.
Following training andcompetency sign off undertake interventions such as blood pressure, pulse,temperature monitoring, height/weight recording and ECGs for individuals whouse our services as indicated or requested.
Assist and carry outappropriate toxicology screening processes including urine and saliva tests.
Assist in the titrationprocess for opioid individuals who use our services as
required by service need.
Provide education, healthpromotion and screening for blood borne viruses (BBV).
Following training andcompetency sign off provide Hepatitis A and or B vaccinations under a patientspecific direction (PSD) when indicated.
Work as part of theintegrated care and treatment pathways for individuals who are identified asbeing infected with BBVs (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and/or HIV).
Support community alcoholdetoxification either at the service or at the service users home.
Support opioiddetoxification in the community.
Undertake phlebotomyfollowing training and competency sign off, as required, ensuring adherence toidentified pathways for blood sample labelling, collection, obtaining resultsand signposting.
Support in the referral tospecialist inpatient services (including detoxification) and liaise withhospital and inpatient unit staff as required.
Contribute to ViasNaloxone Strategy by training staff and individuals who use our services in theuse of naloxone. Ensuring naloxone is distributed to individuals who use ourservices at every opportunity.
Ensure vaccines are storedcorrectly and the cold chain is maintained as per current Department of HealthGuidance. Maintain clinic fridge and room temperature checks and record asrequired.
Maintain required standardsof infection control and hygiene as per Via policies and procedures. Undertakeregular clinic room checks, report and address, as directed, all variances fromexpected standards.
Provide evidence-based harmreduction services, including needle exchange.
Undertake basic lifesupport and anaphylaxis training so you are confident and competent to assistin a medical emergency including the administration of anaphylaxis medicationand naloxone if required.
Understand and adhere tothe legislation surrounding the use of PSDs (Patient Specific Direction).
Utilise psychosocialintervention to promote engagement in treatment services and ownership of eachindividuals recovery journey.
Complete the CareCertificate if not already undertaken.
Communication
Develop therapeuticalliances with people who have substance misuse problems and develop effectivepartnerships with them to support their individual recovery journeys, offeringhealth promotion and harm reduction advice.
Ensure that there is goodcommunication of treatments offered, treatment progress and outcome of anyinvestigations to other members of the clinical team.
Liaise with and takedirection from other members of the team to provide the best possiblespecialist care for individuals who use our services, ensuring co-ordinationand continuity of care.
Provide health education,regarding problematic alcohol and drug use and alcohol and drug detoxification.
Attend meetings appropriateto the development and maintenance of the role in agreement with and under thedirection of the nurse.
Actively promote andparticipate in working with partnership organisations to develop and sustaineffective treatment pathways.
Deliveringa Quality Service
The post-holder willcontribute to the service to ensure that people who use substances consistentlyreceive high quality services that adhere to the best practice guidelines andto the highest professional standards.
Work as part of the nursingteam to ensure that procedures are constantly reviewed to promote best practiceand evidenced based practice in accordance with UK Guidelines on ClinicalManagement, NICE guidance, and Via clinical protocols and procedures.
Support colleagues byproviding coaching and teaching around harm reduction and BBVs.
TeamWorking
To work with others toensure individuals who use our services have timely access
to safe and effectiveprescribing for community detoxification from substances
across operational sites.
Contribute to the overallperformance of the service to ensure that contractual output targets areachieved.
Working with colleagues inthe service to deliver a community opioid and alcohol detoxification planutilising a care co-ordinated approach to service user care.
RiskManagement
Provide harm reductionadvice to individuals who inject drugs, providing information and equipment andensure all equipment is disposed of safely.
Undertake risk assessmentsand contribute to risk management plans for individuals who use our servicesengaged in the service.
Utilise appropriateprevention techniques to reduce substance misuse related harm and to aid in theprevention of multiple physical harms caused by drugs and alcohol.
ManagingInformation
Record and input clientdata and information in order that the service operates within contractual,administrative, and financial requirements.
Ensure that all datarequirements in relation to individuals who use our services are met withindefined deadlines.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
1. Passion for working with substance misuse services or with other socially excluded or vulnerable groups.
2. Good interpersonal skills and a willingness to work flexibly as part of a team.
3. Experience of working within substance misuse or a social care setting.
4. A clear understanding of the need for and ability to deliver quality services.
5. IT literacy including proficiency in word processing and data entry.
6. Knowledge of harm reduction and health promotion interventions.
7. Knowledge of the issues facing substance misusers including appropriate medical interventions, social care, and health issues.
8. A clear understanding of the need for and ability to deliver quality services.
9. Experience of contributing to project development.
10. Knowledge of local services and geography.
11. Confidence to work on own initiative as well as part of the team.
12. Knowledge of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults procedures.
13. Understanding of the issues facing people who use substances, including appropriate medical interventions, social care and health issues.
14. Maintain professional boundaries and work effectively with partnership agencies.
15. Demonstrate skills to undertake administrative duties.
16. Communicate confidently and effectively, verbally and in writing.
17. Respond flexibly to the demands of the post.
18. Show a capacity to work alone and the ability to keep calm under pressure.
19. Employ a professional, empathetic, and non-judgmental attitude towards individuals who use our services and all stakeholders.
20. Show commitment to facilitating positive outcomes for individuals who use our services.
21. Ability to travel between services.
Qualifications
Essential
22. Qualification(s) in social care (, Care Certificate).