Job Description

Our inpatient mental health services are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of people with severe mental illness. As part of the NHS Long Term Plan, we are embedding tobacco dependence treatment as a routine part of inpatient care. By joining our team, you will play a vital role in helping patients to live smoke-free, improving both their physical and mental health.



The Tobacco Dependence Advisor will oversee and deliver specialist support to patients admitted to mental health inpatient wards who smoke or use tobacco. The postholder will support the junior staff in provision of behavioural support and, where appropriate, pharmacological treatment to help patients manage withdrawal and work towards a smoke-free future.



The lead advisor will also support ward staff by providing training, guidance, and resources to embed tobacco dependence treatment as part of routine care, in line with the NHS Long Term Plan.



Our substance misuse services are dedicated to helping reduce the harm caused by smoking cessation; helping people overcome their dependency and helping clients and their families rebuild their lives and enable recovery. We are committed to working in partnership with other providers and service users in local systems of treatment and recovery.



We are looking for a dedicated and compassionate Tobacco Dependence Advisor to join our inpatient mental health team. This role is central to supporting patients admitted to our wards who smoke or vape, by providing specialist behavioural support and treatment to help them manage nicotine withdrawal and work towards quitting.

You will:

Co-ordinate and support the delivery of one-to-one and group-based stop smoking interventions to patients. Assess tobacco use and create personalised quit plans. Support safe prescribing and use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and other stop smoking medications. Work alongside junior Tobacco advisors and ward staff, psychiatrists, pharmacists, and nurses to embed tobacco treatment into care. Lead on providing training and guidance to staff on supporting patients with tobacco dependence. Ensure patients are referred to community stop smoking services on discharge for ongoing support. Lead and coordinate the junior Tobacco Advisors ensuring all aspect of the model and documentation on the NHS digital platform for timely quarterly submissions.

The Addictions Directorate with CNWL Foundation Trust is a large, well-established provider which offers a wide range of specialist NHS drug and alcohol treatment interventions to the diverse and multicultural populations in Central and North West London. Our Drug and Alcohol services include community services, and the National Gambling Service and a Club Drug Clinic. In addition, we provide smoking cessation services in Hillingdon and Camden & Islington.

Please note:

This vacancy does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker sponsorship, unless you meet the criteria by temporary exemption from current changes to immigration rules put in force on 22/07/2025. "Separate provisions are applied to workers who have been sponsored and held continuously Skilled Worker visa since prior to 04/04/2024."



As such, if you don't meet the Transitional Provision (above) we are unable to consider your application unless you can provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the United Kingdom. If you believe you are eligible for sponsorship or already hold a valid right to work in the UK, please ensure you provide full details of your immigration status in the Pre-Screening Immigration section of your application form.



Please note role eligibility also depends on whether the role meets the salary threshold for the relevant occupational code (SOC CODE).

For further info please visit:

Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK



We are looking for a dedicated and compassionate Tobacco Dependence Advisor to join our inpatient mental health team. This role is central to supporting patients admitted to our wards who smoke or vape, by providing specialist behavioural support and treatment to help them manage nicotine withdrawal and work towards quitting.

You will:

Co-ordinate and support the delivery of one-to-one and group-based stop smoking interventions to patients. Assess tobacco use and create personalised quit plans. Support safe prescribing and use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and other stop smoking medications. Work alongside junior Tobacco advisors and ward staff, psychiatrists, pharmacists, and nurses to embed tobacco treatment into care. Lead on providing training and guidance to staff on supporting patients with tobacco dependence. Ensure patients are referred to community stop smoking services on discharge for ongoing support. Lead and coordinate the junior Tobacco Advisors ensuring all aspect of the model and documentation on the NHS digital platform for timely quarterly submissions.

Supporting Staff & Service Integration

Provide training and support to ward staff on delivering brief advice and reinforcing smoke-free policies. Function as a resource for staff on managing tobacco dependence within the inpatient setting. Collaborate with the wider multidisciplinary team (psychiatrists, nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, occupational therapists) to ensure tobacco treatment is embedded in care planning.

Service Delivery & Reporting

Maintain accurate records on patient support provided, treatment outcomes, and follow-up. Use clinical data systems (e.g., SystmOne) to record activity and outcomes. Support patients with referrals to community stop smoking services on discharge to ensure continuity of care. Contribute to monitoring, evaluation, and reporting for commissioners and service managers. Support in the documentation of the NHS Patient Level Digital Submissions.

Governance & Safeguarding

Ensure all care is delivered in line with NICE guidance, Trust smoke-free policy, and safeguarding requirements. Manage patient information sensitively and confidentially, adhering to GDPR and information governance policies.

The postholder will provide evidenced based, specialist behavioural support and advice to smokers who want to quit when admitted to the mental health wards and support and ensure ongoing support post discharge and engagement with local stop smoking services in the community. The postholder will be expected to deliver support through established.



The postholder will undertake local promotion of the service focussed on CNWL Mental Health In-Patient Services. The postholder will be responsible for the accurate recording of client information organisational values and behaviours to improve health and deliver excellent care. Learn and innovate, Communicate openly and honestly. Ensure timely input onto the bespoke stop smoking database.



The service will be operational Monday to Friday, 9.00am- 5.00pm with a late evening clinic for those who may be employed or cannot make daytime appointments.



Clinical Duties.

The post holder will:

To provide smoking cessation interventions in line with the evidence base and to agreed National standards Utilise motivational techniques, assess client's motivation to quit smoking and maintain relationships with the client group to support smoking cessation. Develop an action plan with the client and discuss the use of appropriate pharmacological support suitable to them. Attend bespoke training events as required for career and continuous professional development. o Extensive knowledge of health-related behaviour change evidence Responsible for continuous learning knowledge of smoking cessation using the NCSCT online training packages. Comply with statutory and mandatory requirements in line with CNWL policy. Review own practice in comparison to others to ensure continual improvement is developed and maintained within the team. Assess client's motivation to quit to determine best course of action in their quit attempt. Review personal objectives to ensure that they are effectively met in accordance with service work-plan. Ensure that service delivery is maintained and suggest contingency plans for clinic delivery for any planned absence. Participate in regular reviews of service provision including venues, frequency and timing to ensure the needs of the client's needs are met. Ability to work autonomously. Use of keyboard and IT equipment for communication; report preparation etc. Use of carbon monoxide monitor to assess client's levels. Ensure that agreed policies and procedures are implemented and adhered to Responsible for the care, maintenance, and use of relevant service equipment, including CO monitors. Responsible for the handling, transportation and safe use of display equipment, audio-visual aids etc. Supervise junior band 4 Tobacco Dependence Advisors in Mental Health Participate in self-development to continually improve performance and undertake development activities that are identified.

Communications and Relationships



The post holder will provide and receive highly complex and sensitive information. They will manage the barriers to the understanding of this information across different organisations, service types, professional staff disciplines, clients, and relatives/carers where the use of different language sets contributes to misunderstandings.



The post holder will attend and contribute to all appropriate management/business and clinical meetings, supervision groups and staff support groups deemed within their sphere of responsibility.



The post holder will participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings and case discussions both in the hospital and with community treatment services, promoting awareness and understanding of alcohol issues.



The post holder will liaise and communicate clinical information with partner agencies within the protocol for sharing confidential information between substance misuse services, the hospital and other partner agencies.



The post holder will develop and maintain effective communication links with key operational and strategic partners, as listed above.



The post holder will work collaboratively and undertake multi-agency planning to ensure patients' services are well-co-ordinated, patients are supported to access community-based services, and formal three-way handovers take place at the point of referral.



The post holder will maintain accurate, up to date documentation of all service client's records, ensuring the confidentiality of such records of information are in line with the Data Protection Act and Information-Sharing Protocol.