Specialist Tobacco Treatment Advisor

Specialist Tobacco Treatment Advisors will provide stop-smoking support to patients and staff, using well-developed behavioural change interventions.

The post-holders will be involved with training and on-going development of newly appointed Band 3 Tobacco Treatment Advisors.

The post-holders will contribute to service improvement, incorporating new evidence into their practice and identifying opportunities to improve the performance of the service, in line with Key Performance Indicators.

The Specialist Advisors will advocate for, and promote the service, engaging other Healthcare professionals, and driving cultural change across the organisation, will the aim of embedding treating tobacco dependency into every clinical pathway.

Deliver tobacco treatment assessments, advice and support interventions incorporating a range of behavioural change approaches, and in line with latest evidence and guidelines. Assessments and interventions will be holistic & compassionate and based on an understanding of the individual and their goals and aspirations.

Have a strong operational understanding of the tobacco dependency treatment pathways, including inpatients, outpatients, ED, and staff service; liaise with other teams within STH, such as Smoking in Pregnancy or Learning, Disabilities & Autism to provide joined up care to people with complex needs.

Work in partnership with other services and organisations to ensure seamless transition between services, and to ensure continuity of care regardless of location of patient.

Assist in the training and on-going development of Band 3 Tobacco Treatment Advisors, as well as participating in teaching sessions to other Healthcare Professionals.

Liaise directly with Medical, Pharmacy & Nursing staff to make nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) recommendations, and to ensure it is provided and used correctly.

Provide advice and support to all staff groups on treating tobacco dependency, NRT & other nicotine-containing products, the legislative framework around smoking, and changes to health and public health guidelines.

You will be working for an organisation that values and respects all of its staff and the community it serves. The Trust is a leader in NHS and research sectors and provides excellent benefits for its staff. This includes commitments to professional development, and many policies to support employees in balancing their personal and professional lives.

• Educated to GCSE (or equivalent) grade C/4 or above in English and Maths.
• Level 4 qualification, or equivalent experience in providing health advice or similar.
• NCSCT smoking cessation practitioner training & specialist modules (Mental Health & Pregnancy)

• Specific training in health promotion interventions.

• Experience of working in the healthcare sector in a community or hospital setting or Experience of working in a customer-facing role dealing with queries, advice or complaints.
• Experience of providing healthcare, healthcare or health promotion advice to patients or members of the public.

• Experience of providing behavioural-change interventions, using a variety of approaches and techniques to engage people who are otherwise ambivalent or resistant.

• Understanding of barriers to engagement.
• Understanding of the determinants of health inequality, and the impact of smoking on population-level health inequalities.
• Understanding of local and national guidelines and policies related to tobacco treatment and tobacco control.
• Good knowledge and understanding of evidence based practice in treating tobacco dependency, the consequences of smoking and the benefits of quitting.
• Understanding of confidentiality and data security, and awareness of data protection regualtions.
• Ability to work and communicate in group settings.

• Understanding of audit and service evaluation.
• Knowledge of principles of health promotion.
• Experience of using clinical systems.

• Well-developed interpersonal skills.
• Enthusiasm and ability to motivate self and others.
• Commitment to the promotion of equality of opportunity.

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…