Location
Surbiton

Hours
Full Time (hours not specified)

Salary
£37,282 per annum

About the Role
The Hospital Liaison Nurse will provide specialist nursing assessment, brief interventions, and care for patients with drug and/or alcohol-related health and social needs presenting to hospitals and other secondary care facilities. The role involves providing clinical support and advice to reduce harm, facilitate safe inpatient care, and create rapid, person-centred pathways to community treatment and recovery services upon discharge. You will support collaborative working practices within Via's defined portfolios and with hospital teams and secondary care partners such as alcohol liaison teams and hepatology.

Key duties include developing person-centred discharge plans and direct referral pathways into community drug and alcohol services and partner agencies using agreed clinical screening tools and clinical knowledge. You will hold a caseload to provide brief interventions including naloxone provision and advice, safer injecting advice, BBV screening and vaccination pathways, evidence-based low-level psychosocial support, and motivational interviewing to encourage engagement with treatment and reduce immediate harms.

You will act as a liaison between Via, secondary care partners, and partner agencies including housing, mental health, and third sector parties. The role also involves providing training, education, and support to nurses, medical staff, and allied health professionals around screening and advice for alcohol and substance misuse. You will identify and respond to safeguarding concerns through participation in multidisciplinary team meetings and support complex discharge planning and case referrals.

Working within local and national clinical governance frameworks such as NICE and the Orange Guide, and using Via’s evidence-based policies and pathways for substance misuse, you will maintain accurate clinical records and contribute to service activity, data collection, and auditing. You will also contribute to peer-led supervision, teaching, education, and service improvement projects, including the development of the capability framework for the Drug & Alcohol treatment and recovery workforce.

The role requires adherence to the principles of nursing practice and Via’s values of Care, Be Human, and Do the Right Thing, promoting positive, inclusive, and anti-discriminatory practices in line with organisational policies and legislative frameworks.

Experience
Registered Nurse (Adult) with current NMC registration. Minimum of 2 years post-registration experience, including at least 1 year working within substance misuse treatment and/or alcohol-related illnesses. Demonstrable clinical assessment skills including risk assessment, withdrawal risk, and physical health assessments. Knowledge of harm reduction approaches, BBV testing/vaccination pathways, naloxone, and overdose prevention best practice. Experience working autonomously to make clinical decisions and escalate appropriately. Ability to engage people in chaotic circumstances using good communication and motivational interviewing skills. Ability to travel as required, with a valid UK driving licence and access to a vehicle or alternative arrangements to meet travel requirements.

About You
Passionate about working with substance misuse services or other socially excluded or vulnerable groups. Able to work collaboratively with colleagues and external partners. Committed to professional integrity, safeguarding, and continuous learning. Flexible and adaptable to meet service delivery needs across sites or hours.

Qualifications
Registered Nurse (Adult) with current NMC registration. Desirable qualifications include previous hospital liaison experience or experience in an ED/inpatient environment, training in substance misuse specific interventions (e.g. alcohol care training, RCGP part 1), or qualifications in addictions/dual-diagnosis care.