Job Advert 008
National Treatment Agency For Substance Misuse (NTA), London Office
Part Time Nurse
NOTE: THIS ADVERT IS NO LONGER VALID!
IT REMAINS ON THE SITE FOR INFORMATION ONLY
Established in 2001, the NTA plays an influential role in delivering the Government's drugs strategy as we work to improve and expand treatment for drug misuse in England. One year on, we have achieved our initial targets, established new ones and now wish to strengthen both our structures. This includes the newly created Clinical team.
This is an opportunity for you to put your skills into practice in a successful, growing national organisation. The Nurse will play a key role in this small the team, working in partnership to develop policy advice and guidance for the NTA and the professions.
Working in a growing organisation, we offer you the opportunity to have a key role in the NTA Clinical team. The team's core task is to improve the clinical practice of those working with substance misusers. You will need to be a specialist in substance misuse, a confident communicator and team player.
Some details on the post are outlined below, and full details (including the application form) can be found on the NTA website.
If you would like to speak informally about the role you can do so by contacting:
Amy Torok, Recruitment Administrator, on
We look forward to receiving your application by 5pm 16th June 2003.
ROLE STATEMENT
Job title: Part-time Nurse (2 days a week)
Salary: (matching current salary)
Reports to: Director of Quality
Location: HQ, Central London
Role of the National Treatment Agency
The National Treatment Agency (NTA) was created by the Government on 1st April 2001 with a remit to increase the capacity, quality and effectiveness of drug treatment in England. The NTA is a Special Health Authority directly accountable to the Secretary of State for Health (on behalf of the government) for the delivery of its work programme and the effective use of its resources.
Purpose of the Role
The NTA Board approved the creation of a new Clinical Team in February 03. The role of the clinical team will be to improve the clinical practice of those working with substance misusers. The clinical team will consist of a part-time psychiatrist, nurse and GP. The psychiatrist will also lead and manage the team.
Job Summary
Key Accountabilities
- In partnership, develop policy advice and guidance both for the NTA and for the professions.
- To develop a consensus with the other members of the NTA Clinical team for policy which has multi-disciplinary implications.
- To ensure that policy is developed in consultation with the senior management of the NTA, the Department of Health (DH) and the Director of Quality.
- Contribute to improving local clinical practice.
- Contribute to enhancing the skills of the national clinical workforce.
- To represent the NTA at relevant forums and events and for development and dissemination of policy.
- Developmental work that improves clinical practice.
Partnerships
Much of the work of this team will involve partnership working in order to achieve consensus on clinical issues, provide clear and concise guidance and to support and promote good local clinical practice.
- Internally within the NTA Quality Directorate the team will provide clinical policy advice and undertake development work. The team will also work with the Regional Teams providing regional support, work with the NTA expert groups and others including the Senior Management Team.
- The team will also work with the DH drug policy team (including the Senior Medical Officer).
- The team will also be expected to develop good links with Royal College of Psychiatrists, Nurses and GPs and other professional umbrella bodies.
Draft work programme of the Clinical Team to September 04
Policy Advice and Guidance
- Contribute to answering NTA enquiries on clinical work (including PQs, drug treatment professionals, patients and from other professionals).
- Develop portfolio of answers to Frequently Asked Questions (for NTA and DH).
- Develop guidance on a range of topics (to be finalised in partnership with the DH). This is likely to include briefings on:
- aspects of clinical practice the NTA/DH is most frequently requested to provide a steer on e.g. models of titration and dose stabilisation, urine testing protocols.
- models of GP involvement including: models of shared care, specialist GPs, GP and care planning in drug treatment.
- development of additional guidance to support implementation of Heroin Guidance including: models of provision, supervised injecting in the context of supervised consumption, additional guidance on aspects of developing integrated pathways for injectable opioid treatment.
- development of additional guidance on aspects of developing integrated care pathways for optimal oral methadone (and buprenorphine) maintenance treatment.
- Contribute to any work undertaken by the DoH to add to or review the clinical guidelines.
- Contribute to NTA expert groups (e.g. prescribing heroin, crack cocaine, development of expert patients groups).
- Contribute (in matrix working) with other NTA Quality initiatives as appropriate where clinical input is needed e.g. comments on research reviews.
Improving local clinical practice
- To begin a review of the implementation of optimised oral and injectable maintenance prescribing in England via DAT treatment plans, RC psychiatrists review, prescription data etc.
- To use the review as a basis to target effort to support DAT areas which lack clinical expertise or those providing a limited range of clinical options.
- To act as a resource to the regional teams on clinical issues including: reviews of local prescribing policies if requested, to give advice on clinical practice (in line with the 'Clinical Guidelines' and 'Models of Care' and advice on clinical governance.
- To contribute to the regional treatment planning review, NTA inspection team, CHI inspection teams (if requested) on clinical issues.
Enhancing national clinical workforce
- To build regional systems of specialist support, supervision and mentoring (with partners including DoH, Royal College of Psychiatrists etc.)
- Work with Skills for Health (and partners) to establish:
- guidance for commissioners and DATS on clinical competency and staffing required in each area so that they can provide the range of services outlined in Models of Care.
- a drug treatment workforce strategy for doctors in England (by July 2003) and defining own role in the subsequent implementation plan from August 2003.
- Provide advice, guidance and policy input on the new GP contract and implications for drug treatment.
Developmental Work
- Explore feasibility of European tendering for injectable heroin supply and monopoly provider.
- Contribute to the national steering group for pilot injectable clinics if established.
Key Selection Criteria
Essential
- Nurse with some experience of working with substance misusers.
- Good understanding of the evidence base for drug treatment.
- Understanding of current guidance and frameworks for the commissioning and delivery of drug treatment.
- Ability to have national overview and work at a strategic level.
- Excellent writing skills.
- Fluent public speaker.
- Ability to facilitate others and be a good team player.
- Ability to work in a team.
Desirable
- Experience in the development of policy and clinical protocols.
- Experience of working in partnership to develop practice.
The National Treatment Agency is committed to valuing diversity in employment.
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Important Notes
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