Addictions Nurse

OUR VALUES IN ACTION

• Care and Compassion
• Quality and Teamwork
• Dignity and Respect
• Openness, honesty and responsibility

Job Opportunity:
Addiction Nurse (Band
5)

NHS Borders Addiction Service
Full Time | Permanent

Are you a motivated and compassionate Registered Nurse looking to develop your skills in a specialist addiction setting? We’re recruiting a Band 5 Addiction Nurse to join our dedicated and supportive NHS Borders Addiction Service (BAS).

This is a rewarding opportunity to work with individuals and families affected by drug and/or alcohol use, supporting recovery and improving lives across our communities.

As a Band 5 Addiction Nurse, you will work as part of a multi‑professional team, providing high‑quality, person‑centred care to people experiencing substance misuse difficulties.

You’ll undertake assessments, deliver harm‑reduction interventions, support prescribing/titration clinics, and play an active part in helping patients improve their health, wellbeing and recovery.

You will be supported by Senior Addiction Nurses but will also be expected to work with increasing autonomy, manage a defined workload and contribute to service development.

• Undertake initial assessments and ongoing reviews as delegated by the Senior Addiction Nurse
• Develop, implement and evaluate person‑centred care plans
• Support titration and prescribing clinics
  , including tolerance testing
• Provide harm‑reduction advice: safer injecting, safer drug use, sexual health, BBV awareness
• Support the BBV clinic
  : testing, vaccination and data recording
• Deliver naloxone training and provision under PGD
• Collect, analyse and record urine/oral fluid specimens
• Refer to other agencies and promote shared‑care approaches
• Maintain clear, accurate and professional nursing records in line with NMC standards

• Support leadership within the nursing team and contribute to staff induction
• Provide mentorship and support to students and learners
• Carry out delegated clinical supervisory duties for Support Workers
• Assist in clinical audits, research projects and service improvement activities
• Ensure safe use of equipment and compliance with risk management processes
• Represent the service professionally when communicating with partner agencies

• Deliver training sessions as part of induction or service learning
• Communicate sensitively and effectively with patients, families, colleagues and partner organisations
• Provide reassurance, motivation and negotiation when supporting treatment engagement
• Promote health, wellbeing and recovery across all interactions

• NMC 1st Level Registered Nurse
• Post‑registration experience
• Excellent assessment, communication and documentation skills
• Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise workload
• A respectful, inclusive and person‑centred approach to care
• Ability to travel across the Borders area
• Calm, professional manner when dealing with challenging situations

• Experience working with people affected by addiction
• Community nursing experience
• Knowledge of BBVs, harm reduction and health promotion
• Interest in research, teaching or training
• Non‑medical prescribing qualification (or interest in pursuing)

NHS Borders Addiction Service is a friendly, supportive and experienced team committed to delivering high‑quality, evidence‑based care.

You’ll have opportunities to:

• Develop specialist skills in addiction nursing
• Work alongside experienced clinicians and partner agencies
• Access ongoing training, supervision and professional development
• Make a meaningful difference every day in the lives of people facing significant challenges

Your work will reflect NHS Borders values of:
Care & Compassion | Quality & Teamwork | Dignity & Respect | Openness, Honesty & Responsibility

As from 1st April 2026, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will be reducing from 37 to 36 hours per week. Part time hours will be reduced pro‑rata. However, there will be a corresponding increase in the hourly rate so that pay will not be affected.

Due to legislative changes from 1 April 2025, this post may…