Senior Dual Diagnosis Practitioner

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South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has a rich history, well-established community links and an international reputation. We deliver specialist services in the London boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark, Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Wandsworth and Richmond.

We are committed to provide a high quality and specialist care to our service users and we are recognised for our care and treatment we provide. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good'.

We launched our five-year strategy, Aiming High; Changing Lives in 2021 together with Our Care Improvement System as our quality management system methodology to make a positive impact on patient care, outcomes and staff experience. By joining SLaM, all staff will get the opportunity to be part of this exciting improvement journey supported with learning and development to harness everyone's potential as change makers.

The trust recognises the unique and valuable contribution that people with lived experience of mental illness can bring to a role. We therefore welcome applications from people with lived experience and consider them as an asset to the Trust.

Our Values

We take pride in providing specialist care to our service users where our Trust values and our promise to be caring, kind, polite, prompt, honest, listen and do what I say I'm going to do is at the heart of everything we do. When you join us, you'll be part of something special.

As a Trust we are happy to talk flexible working.

Job overview

The SLAM Addictions Clinical Academic Group, and South London Partnership (SLP) wish to enter a collaboration to support the needs of those with co-occurring mental health and substance use needs on the six inpatient rehabilitation wards within the SLP footprint. These are: Barefoot Lodge (provided by Oxleas), Heather Close, Westways and Tony Hillis Unit (provided by South London and Maudsley) and Burntwood Villas and Phoenix (provided by South West London and St George's).

The MHSIR ways of working will be coproduced with the SLP and each of the wards to ensure it is integrated into the model of care within each unit so that there is a seamless service for the service user. It is expected that the MHSIR and inpatient rehabilitation staff, by working together, will create a team culture with consistent ways of working that will optimise the recovery outcomes of people with mental health and substance use needs.

The post holder will be joining a well-established team of dual diagnosis specialist practitioners and will have the opportunity to work autonomously, providing leadership and expertise with regards to policy, practice, training and service improvement. This post is fixed term until March 2026 and can be arranged as a secondment. Enquiries regarding the post ahead of application are most welcome.

Main duties of the job
• To provide a highly specialist nursing / substance use service to the mental health and substance use inpatient rehab service (MHSIR) including specialist assessment, treatment, planning, implementation and monitoring of outcomes.
• To improve dual diagnosis capability the delivery of evidence-based dual diagnosis care within MHSIR. This will be done through training and practice development opportunities, development of team based dual diagnosis lead roles and supporting managers and team leaders to devise and deliver effective action plans.
• The post holder will work with colleagues of all disciplines to develop their knowledge, skills and confidence in working with people with dual diagnosis so that it becomes a core aspect of the work of all clinicians.
• The post holder will work with the Consultant Nurses - Dual Diagnosis to develop protocols that support the maintenance a safe environment, minimising the use of substances on Trust premises and potential harms for patients, staff and visitors.
• The post holder will provide supervision, consultation, and expert advice to facilitate high quality dual diagnosis assessments and interventions.

Working for our organisation

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provide the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK as well as substance misuse services for people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. We work closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London and are part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre. There are very few organisations in the world that have such wide-ranging capabilities working with mental illness. Our scope is unique because it is built on three major foundations: care and treatment, science and research, and training.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical and Client Care
• To provide clinical expertise and support in assessment, care/treatment and discharge planning and the evaluation of interventions to people with co-occurring mental illness and substance misuse conditions
• To implement pathway systems that ensure all service users are being assessed for alcohol and drug use as part of a comprehensive assessment and information is recorded using the appropriate tools and in line with local and national standards
• To promote the involvement of all relevant stakeholders in assessment, care and discharge processes by facilitating their participation in all relevant forums
• To ensure that all service users are offered health education information, information about local substance misuse services and self-help/mutual aid groups to enable them to make informed choices about their ongoing care/treatment

Contributing to team or service clinical functioning
• Lead development of, and support liaison with, GPs and substance misuse services to promote effective joint planning and transfer of care when appropriate
• Facilitate carers/family members' involvement in assessment and care planning where appropriate and ensure they are offered information about substance misuse support groups
• Work closely with team based dual diagnosis champions where available, to promote the implementation of best practice standards.
• Provide necessary support in the review of serious incidents where substance use plays a role.

Policy and service development
• To contribute to the development of services through initiating, undertaking and supervising service evaluation and audit, and supporting teams to use findings to inform development
• To use DATIX effectively and support teams to develop skills in this area to enhance data collection and up to date reporting of incidents relating to substance misuse
• To keep updated with policy and practice developments in substance misuse, mental health and dual diagnosis and to disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles
• To implement policies and procedures in own area of work, and to propose improvements or beneficial changes.
• To contribute to service development through participating in the appropriate projects.
• To contribute to the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and delivering services which meet the needs of local communities.

Care or management of resources
• To take care of, and use carefully, the Trust's equipment and physical resources.
• To ensure that the post-holder has sufficient resources by estimating future needs and requesting or ordering supplies as needed.

Management, supervision and communication
• To contribute to the appraisal of more junior colleagues, as appropriate.
• To contribute to the recruitment of more junior colleagues, as appropriate.
• Communicate regularly with partner agencies involved in the treatment of people with dual diagnosis. This will involves the establishment of relationships with other agencies that provide substance misuse treatment, acute physical health care, housing, education, and employment.
• Maintain regular contact with substance misuse services to keep abreast of developments and to promote information sharing and joint care planning and seamless care pathways
• Facilitate integrated working, ensuring good communication and coordination of care so that decisions concerning patients' care are jointly made as often as possible.
• Attend local Dual Diagnosis and police liaison and site management meetings when required
• Meet with other dual diagnosis practitioners and senior dual diagnosis staff to share intelligence, learning and to develop innovations.
• Prepare reports and presentations for relevant meetings as required.
• To skilfully and sensitively communicate highly complex and sensitive information with patients, carers and colleagues
• To maintain regular contact with substance misuse services to promote information sharing and joint care planning and seamless care pathways
• To communicate regularly with Consultant Nurses - Dual diagnosis and other dual diagnosis leads and also keep abreast of developments in local substance misuse services

Teaching and Training
• To act as a dual diagnosis resource for services, accessing and disseminating up to date information on guidance, research/audit and promoting implementation of same.
• To identify individual and team training needs and design and deliver bespoke dual diagnosis training for individuals and teams
• To contribute to the design and delivery of SLP wide dual diagnosis training and provide post-training support and supervision
• To support teams to deliver on key areas such as CQUINs and other service improvement efforts
• To contribute to the engagement of service users in the planning and developing services.

Record-keeping and Information Governance
• To ensure that all information generated by own work is recorded as required by Trust policies and local procedures
• To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing, according to professional and Trust guidelines, including electronic data entry.

Research and development
• To contribute to the development of services through initiating, undertaking and supervising service evaluation and audit, and supporting teams to use findings to inform developments.
• To provide research advice and supervision to other staff undertaking research
• To use DATIX effectively and support teams to develop skills in this area to enhance data collection and up to date reporting of incidents relating to substance misuse
• To keep up-to-date with policy and practice developments in substance misuse, mental health and dual diagnosis and to disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles
• To ensure that services provided are acceptable and accessible to the diverse communities that make up the local population.

Maintaining professional standards and continuing professional development
• To ensure that own continuing professional development is in line with professional registration requirements and Trust PDP and appraisal frameworks. To maintain appropriate documentation to comply with professional registration.
• To manage own time independently and effectively and follow a model of reflective practice, questioning and assessing own performance and reviewing with clinical supervisor
• To receive regular clinical and professional supervision from senior professional leads according to the statutory regulation requirements of that profession and Trust with both Trust's Supervision and Appraisal Policies.

General
• To travel to sites across the organisation as appropriate and across the Trust when required.
• To be aware of risk relating to aggressive and challenging behaviour amongst the client group, and follow trust policies relating to its management.
• To respond appropriately and professionally to emotionally distressing situations; challenging behaviour from patients as well as disclosure of distressing life events and to support others involved in such situation
• To work flexibly within the job plan to fulfill the needs of the Trust

Person specification

Education and qualifications

Essential criteria

• A qualification in mental health nursing (RMN or part 13 of the NMC register), general nursing (RGN or part 12 or the NMC register)
• Professional registration with NMC
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Mentorship/ENB998 or other Assessment and/or Teaching in Practice equivalent qualifications

Desirable criteria

• A qualification in a relevant area of practice
• Degree in nursing or relevant profession
• Non-Medical Prescriber

Experience

Essential criteria

• Extensive post qualification experience of working with/managing a caseload of people with co-occurring mental health and substance misuse problems
• Working in busy challenging clinical setting and prioritising duties to maintain safety
• Liaison with a range of professionals and agencies
• Supporting the implementation of clinical practice improvement initiatives

Desirable criteria

• Working clinically within a substance misuse team
• Involvement in audit projects and research

Knowledge / Skills and abilities

Essential criteria

• Current MH, substance misuse policy and best practice guidance and legislation
• Understanding of and commitment to principles of equal opportunity, fair access and service user empowerment
• Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment for people with co-occurring MH and substance use issues
• Using relevant tools and guidelines to facilitate comprehensive assessments, plan, implement and evaluate the care of individuals with complex needs
• Work collaboratively across teams and organisational boundaries, negotiating complex organisational structures and processes
• Communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with service users, carers and colleagues

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of relevant legislation
• Ability to facilitate therapeutic groups
• The ability to demonstrate and develop leadership skills
• Ability to deliver team teaching/training

The Trust is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and that promote equality of opportunity. We are a Disability Confident Employer, we welcome applicants from all sections of the community and people of all protected characteristics. We provide reasonable adjustments for candidates with a disability and are committed to treating people fairly with compassion, respect and dignity and in promoting equality and human rights. We aim to put this commitment into practice by:

• Embedding our commitment to tackling inequality, eliminating discrimination and harassment; promoting equality of opportunity and fostering good relations in our everyday practice
• Ensuring that all our services and all staff understand and support our commitment
• We believe that people who use our services, their carers and our staff, should be treated with compassion, respect and dignity

Please note:

• That all applications for this post will need to be made online
• That you read and understand the Job Description and Person Specification attached to the role. Your Statement in Support should reflect the requirements specified as your application will be judged against these criteria
• That the closing date listed is a guide only and that the vacancy may close earlier should sufficient number of applicants have been received. We advise that you submit your application as early as possible
• That once you have submitted your application you agree to your application being transferred to a 3rd party e-recruitment system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs
• That should you not have heard from us within three weeks from the closing date your application has not been successful
• That priority consideration for applications may be given to at-risk NHS employees
• That should you be successful and appointed, you authorise South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust to confirm your previous NHS service via an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process
• That we are a smoke-free Trust

SLaM is a Stonewall Diversity Champion , Stonewall is the largest Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans (LGBT) rights charity in Europe'

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Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• Job Description and Person Specification (PDF, 560.5KB)
• SLaM Staff Benefits (PDF, 1.1MB)
• Happy to Talk Flexible Working (PDF, 680.1KB)