Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated mental health professional for the post of Dual Diagnosis Practitioner.



You will need to support the implementation of the co-occurring conditions strategy and NICE best practice guidance. You will need to be able to challenge stigma and build strong relationships within Rehab Pathway Services, drug and alcohol and services and other partners.



The role will be largely clinical and involve assessment, review, care planning, consultation, support and advice. You will support the development of robust care plans in collaboration with patients, carers and drug and alcohol services.



A proportion of your time will also be devoted to service improvement through delivery of a programme of training and audit. You will need to work within the leadership team to understand and meet the challenges of busy services.



You will be embedded within Rehab Pathway services covering Amberstone inpatient service and East Sussex Community Rehab Services. You will receive clinical supervision from the Dual Diagnosis Nurse Consultant and be a key member of the co-occurring conditions service development and reflective practice group.



This post is particularly suitable for those seeking career development with opportunities for additional training and education.



This post is based in Hailsham with regular travel to the community teams in Hastings and Eastbourne.



Clinical practice



To work clinically with patients with co-occurring psychosis and substance use conditions, delivering specialist assessment, interventions and care planning. To improve the quality of care for people with both patients with co-occurring conditions. To have experience in and specialist knowledge of evidence-based practice and lead on dissemination across clinical areas.

Practice Development



To provide specialist training and advice to other professionals and agencies. To clinically supervise other members of the team.

Research and Development



To develop teaching and training sessions for staff and professionals on specialist subject area. To undertake research, service evaluation and clinical audit and participate in clinical quality and governance forums as required.

Leadership and management



To provide effective leadership and supportive management which promotes high performance standards both individually and as a team.

We provide mental health and learning disability care for children, young people and adults across Sussex.

Working in Sussex:

Travel easily between coast and countryside, with a blend of picturesque villages and seaside towns there's always new experiences to be enjoyed Embrace the city life with great access to visit Brighton and London With easy access to Gatwick and Heathrow and excellent railway links across the UK there is plenty of opportunity for adventure.

We'd love you to join our organisation that is rated 'good' overall and 'outstanding' for caring by the Care Quality Commission. Our staff agree, with 82% of people in our recent staff survey telling us that they recognise that care for patients is our top priority.

Other key staff survey results include:

70% highlighting flexible working opportunities as a key point for satisfaction at work 79% reporting feeling able to make suggestions to improve the work within their team 77% identifying the opportunities to show initiative in their roles

The post holder will provide specialist assessments and evidence based interventions to eligible patients within a care group; participate in review of clinical policies and guidelines relevant to the area and support and implement changes to practice; liaise with other organisations and professionals to promote communication and good practice; be able to undertake audit activity and supervision to other staff in service area/care group. Have Subject Matter Expertise and Train the Trainer ability to disseminate bio-psychosocial interventions including Motivational Interviewing. The post holder will ensure that high standards of assessment and treatment are provided to people with co-existing mental health and substance misuse problems, based on the best available evidence. The post holder will provide education, training, support and supervision to colleagues working with this group of service users. The post holder will engage in direct and indirect client work in a range of statutory and voluntary sector providers across the across the area in line with Making Every Adult Matter principles.



To take a lead on clinical matters and policy development relating to dual diagnosis practice. To provide clinical and system leadership. To be part of recruitment and selection process of staff.To be aware of Trust and Local Authority policies and protocols within the Clinical and Suicide Prevention strategies and the Long Term Plan. To develop and participate in the delivery of an area clinical network for all stakeholders. To improve the practice and caseload management of ATS and Crisis & Urgent Care Practitioners. To be part of the area senior leadership group for ongoing support and development.Clinical practice, including own professional development To provide comprehensive assessment of mental health and substance misuse issues specific to needs of service area. To manage a capped caseload of clients with complex dual diagnosis needs and undertake case management / lead professional / CPA as needed. To be able to communicate with and meet the needs of families and carers as appropriate to the care group and the individual client. To have experience of and specialist knowledge on evidence based interventions and lead on their dissemination across clinical areas. To receive management supervision from Service Manager. To demonstrate excellent communication skills. To establish professional links with other care groups and professionals. To work in partnership with other agencies to gain the best person centred outcomes for the individual.

Practice Development , including professional development of others

To utilise specialist knowledge to provide specialist training and advice to other professionals, students and agencies. To clinically supervise other members of the team. To chair meetings and provide cover for the Service Manager as needed. To organise consultation groups and to facilitate area communities of practice to promote skills sharing, reciprocity and clinical network development. To support registered staff and students through preceptorship/mentorship.

Research and Development

To develop teaching and training sessions for staff and professionals on specialist subject area. To develop service pathways for clients in care group and contribute to continuous improvement of services. To undertake research, service evaluation and clinical audits. To use research in practice and developing research work from ones own practice

Governance - including quality , standards, documentation & ethics

To ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards and to provide specialist reports relevant to practice setting. To keep accurate and timely electronic records of each contact, using Care Notes and other software programmes used by the Trust. To adhere to the relevant Professions' Code of Conduct, standards and ethics and comply

Dual Diagnosis Practitioner

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with local and national standards of practice.

To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of clients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs. To contribute in the Trust and professional clinical and social care governance arrangements and quality agenda, including the setting and monitoring of practice standards. To be aware of and work to the policies and procedures within Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. To apply national guidelines/ legislation relating to health and social care in mental health service provision. To participate in clinical and social care governance care group forums as required. To ensure performance targets and standards are met. To complete clinician rated and patient rated outcome measures as required. To ensure that professional standards of practice are maintained amongst junior staff. To seek and attend monthly clinical supervision.

Staff leadership and management

To provide effective leadership and management to staff which promotes high performance standards both individually and as a team, in the achievement of the Trust's objectives and priorities. The Trust's success will be dependant on all leaders playing an active role to make sure the existing areas of good employment practice are universally embedded within the organisation. Leaders will be expected to: Understand the Trust's key priorities and those of your external partners and translate these into key priorities for the area Ensure clarity and effectiveness in developing and designing roles Ensure management of staff is consistent with Trust's HR Policies to the achievement of equality, equity and optimum performance. Complete annual Appraisals for all staff which reflect these priorities and ensure staff have access to appropriate training and development Communicate regularly through meetings with teams and individuals and provide opportunity for two-way feedback Promote an effective team ethos. Promote equality, diversity and rights, and treat others with dignity and respect ensuring services are developed, managed and delivered to meet the specific needs of those belonging to protected characteristics. Promote equality, diversity and Human Rights in working practices by developing and maintaining positive working relationships, ensuring that colleagues are treated fairly and contributing to developing equality of opportunity and outcomes in working practices. Contribute to developing and maintaining equality of opportunity in working practices by complying with legislation and organisational policies. Advise colleagues about equality, diversity and human rights policies and procedures and ensure they are followed. * Ensure that colleagues are treated fairly. Behave in a non-discriminatory way and challenge the discriminatory behaviour of others. Be supportive of colleagues or service users who wish to raise issues about discriminatory practice or experience