Non Medical Nurse prescriber | North NHS Foundation Trust

Overview

To work as a member of a multidisciplinary disciplinary specialist drug team, providing information, advice, assessment, caseload management, physical health checks and blood borne virus screening, vaccinations and treatment. One of the main remits of the posts is the initiation of clients onto opiate substitute medication, via observed administration in our onsite care clinic. Monitoring treatment through regular clinical reviews. Offering advice and offer dose review.

• Assess opiate dependence and, in conjunction with the medical team, support the prescribing of evidence based opiate substitution treatments, providing person-centred, flexible care (to include stabilization, intermediate maintenance and detox regimes).
• Initiate clients onto opiate substitute medication, via observed administration in our onsite care clinic and be responsible for the operational running of the clinic.
• Hold a caseload of complex clients, undertake comprehensive assessments, physical and mental health needs, social and support issues to develop clinically safe and client centred treatment plans.
• Deliver a range of health interventions, including advice and information, physical health checks, BBV screening & vaccination and support the delivery of the onsite Hepatitis C treatment clinic.
• To work as an effective member of the multidisciplinary team, actively participating in clinical team meetings, group supervision and contributing to the yearly service development plan.
• Adhere to local safeguarding protocols to safeguard children and vulnerable adults, including the completion of safeguarding assessment tools, referrals to social services and producing reports.
• To work as a Non-Medical prescriber within agreed scope of practice.
• Work effectively with partner agencies and other professionals to ensure a joined-up approach to treatment and care planning.
• To assess clients’ level of opiate dependence and withdrawal, manage initiation onto methadone or buprenorphine, in conjunction with the medical team.
• Carry out physical monitoring of clients undergoing methadone and buprenorphine titration, maintenance programmes, reduction and detoxification programmes.
• Undertake comprehensive assessments, physical and mental health needs, social and support issues and present this information together with a proposed treatment plan to the multidisciplinary team, including clients who require prescribed medication (e.g., Methadone, Buprenorphine, Naltrexone).
• Assess the multiple needs of this complex client group, including homelessness, drug treatment, psychological counselling, treatment plans, criminal justice system involvement, child protection, and engagement with other agencies.
• Manage a caseload of complex clients and provide one-to-one key working ensuring that care and recovery planning is tailored to the service user’s needs.
• Carry out risk assessment regarding prescribing and non-prescribing interventions, and implement appropriate risk management.
• Follow local safeguarding procedures to promote the safety and well-being of children and vulnerable adults.
• Support the production of reports necessary for social services, courts or other external organisations.
• Make home visits as required and in line with Trust policies.
• Provide harm reduction services, such as Needle Exchange, in line with Trust guidelines.
• Support service users to become involved in local service user activities, planning and co-production.
• Where appropriate, engage friends and family of the service user in their treatment, with explicit consent.
• Carry out urine drug screening and breath alcohol testing to assess safety of prescribing and provide guidance to other practitioners on safety of prescribing based on results.
• Provide advice and guidance to practitioners on mental health and physical health issues.
• Carry out clinical reviews and participate in delivery of primary healthcare services, including health and wellbeing clinics.
• Promote the health needs of clients with complex issues and, within their sphere of competence, provide interventions.
• Carry out HIV and Hepatitis C testing and pre/post-test counselling.
• Support the delivery of the…