Job Description

Background and Service

Kaleidoscope is a pioneering substance misuse treatment provider, offering evidence-based treatment and holistic support to individuals who access its services. Staff teams work collaboratively with partner agencies including G4S, Local Health Board, South Wales Police, HMPPS (Her Majesties Prison and Probation Service), PHW (Public Health Wales), and other third sector support agencies.

Clinical services include substitute prescribing for opiate dependence, harm reduction initiatives including the provision of take home Naloxone; family planning and sexual health screening; Blood Born Virus testing and referral on to specialist support.

Service users will be offered a full range of support in order to assist them in overcoming their substance misuse. Treatment will be individualised via personal recovery care planning and regular clinical assessment and reviews, and will seek to support service users to address their substance misuse as well as to raise motivation to address wider social and health issues.

The successful applicant will deliver services in line with Welsh Government Treatment Frameworks, NICE guidance (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence), and other relevant professional standards and legislation. Kaleidoscope staff are expected to follow Operational Policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring that the care and treatment provided is safe, undertaken to a high standard and informed by up-to-date, evidence-based practice.

The post holder should enjoy face-to-face contact with people who have recognised that their use of substances has become problematic. They will have excellent communication skills, be able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, across agency cultures including those within statutory, private and voluntary sector partnerships. The post holder must be flexible and efficient within small locality teams, to ensure services are delivered equitably and with the service user at the heart of delivery.

They will have a non-judgmental approach to people who have substance misuse problems and be able to provide a welcoming and accessible service to existing and potential service users.

Individual supervision will be provided six weekly in line with Kaleidoscope policy. Additional clinical support will be provided via peer supervision and review groups. Specific training will be available for the development of service provision in line with Continued Professional Development.

The post holder will be expected to work as part of a larger substance misuse multiagency team, supporting on site dispensing of methadone, oral lyophilisate (Espranor) and subcutaneous buprenorphine (Buvidal). Further information on Buvidal as a treatment option please see the links below.

https://www.kaleidoscopeproject.org.uk/news/what-is-buvidal-and-is-it-right-for-you/

Kaleidoscope provides clinical services as part of various projects within the South Wales region including:

Dyfodol - delivered in partnership with G4S and commissioned by the South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner and HMPPS. Providing integrated criminal justice substance misuse treatment. Housing First - delivered in partnership with The Wallich and Dyfodol. Commissioned by Swansea Housing Services to provide substance misuse treatment for those experiencing long term entrenched homelessness. Cardiff Rapid Access Prescribing - delivered in partnership with G4S and commissioned via the Cardiff and Vale Substance Misuse Area Planning Board, providing substance misuse treatment for those experiencing homelessness across Cardiff. Weston Bay Rapid Access Prescribing Services- delivered in partnership with G4S and commissioned by the Weston Bay Area Planning Board providing substance misuse treatment for those at risk of fatal drug poisoning from high-risk substance misuse behavior (including Intra Venus drug taking) and individuals involved with sex working.
The post holder will be expected to work in line with the Social Services and Well Being (Wales Act) 2014, and the Violence Against Women Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015 to ensure safeguarding of individuals (adult and children) is at the heart of service delivery. A good understanding of confidentiality and information sharing legislation is required with the confidence to act professionally and seek guidance and support from line management and colleagues where appropriate.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

The Health Care Assistant will:

Administer methadone to clients accessing prescribing services, adhering strictly to dispensing procedures (SOPS). Supervise medication consumption by individuals accessing our prescribing services. Ensure administrative responsibilities, such as completing the daily dispensing log, are maintained according to legal and organisational requirements. Maintain an awareness of personal responsibilities in relation to medication administration. Perform other dispensary tasks as appropriate, such as keeping the area clean, organised, and sufficiently stocked with required items. Maintain full and accurate records of all dispensing transactions incorporating the use of computers when available and appropriate database maintenance. Ensure that telephone calls from outside agencies, clients and internal staff are dealt with promptly and courteously, transferring calls to appropriate personnel when necessary. Support reception and administration staff for visitors and service users. Ensure case notes and other statutory records are up to date and kept in accordance with Kaleidoscope policies and procedures/regional information sharing protocols. Update case management system with dose-missed daily. Ensure that work is underpinned by sound up to date knowledge of health promotion theory and making sure that initiatives are based on evidence of effectiveness. Provide support and cover colleagues delivering services when required. Participate in clinical audits, service reviews and the evaluation of service user satisfaction, implementing resulting recommendations, to improve and develop the service. Support the nursing team's health promotion initiatives and communicate any changes in need/circumstances to the appropriate people. Enable individuals to maintain and improve their knowledge to support the improvement of their health and wellbeing. Actively encourage service user involvement and feedback and ensure views are considered in informing the development of the service via co-production. Collate data and contribute to service reports. Work within the parameters of NICE guidelines, NMC Professional Code of Conduct and Welsh Government core standards Complete drug screen testing (urine and oral fluid). Complete initial clinical assessments under nurse supervision and report assessment into prescribing medic review and nurse monitoring processes. Complete DBST (Dry Blood Spot Testing) Blood Born Virus Screening. Provide training and dispensing of Naloxone in line with PHW fatal and non-fatal drug poisoning prevention guidance. Administer Naloxone and CPR in the event of an emergency suspected overdose (fatal / nonfatal drug poisoning). Provide harm reduction advice including safer injecting advice and guidance in line with Needle Exchange (Needle Syringe Programme) policies and procedures. Be willing to participate in Outreach to service users homes/hostels
Following training and once assessed as competent be responsible for undertaking and recording patient observations, and where appropriate reporting to a registered nurse/professional of any observed change in the service user's condition. The observation may include:

Temperature Pulse Oxygen saturation Blood pressure Urine/Saliva testing Height and weight E.C.G Alco-meter BBV

Professional Development

Maintain and develop personal expertise and knowledge by reading, networking and further training in order to develop professional competence and to contribute to the development of competence within the team Help with the induction and orientation of new staff, volunteers and students Ensure professional development by seeking regular supervision and annual appraisals. Effectively manage own time and prioritise workload, maintaining own administration and accurate personal records regarding travel, diary appointments, TOIL, and expenses incurred

Service Development

Support the continued delivery of a high-quality service in line with the service specification and regional delivery plans. Contribute to the delivery of internal teaching and training programmes Work collaboratively with colleagues to further develop the service
This post has been identified as requiring the post holder to provide evidence of BBV immunisation status to carry out the role effectively. The role may require the post hold to undertake Dry Blood Spot Testing/ Substance Misuse Testing/ Working in Needle Exchange or is a clinical role and therefore Kaleidoscope wishes to ensure that staff are not at risk of infection or transmission of a disease that may affect their own or patient safety. Staff will therefore need to evidence their immunisation history, exemption, or non-responder on commencement of employment or at routine intervals at the request of the Organisation.

Alongside this you will need to provide evidence of your COVID-19 vaccination status; we strongly advise that both vaccinations, plus any booster vaccinations are received (unless you have reasonable grounds, e.g. you are medically exempt)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 24,570.00-25,603.50 per year

Benefits:

Additional leave Bereavement leave Company pension Cycle to work scheme Enhanced maternity leave Enhanced paternity leave Health & wellbeing programme
Work Location: In person