Newham Drug and Alcohol Service

Newham Drug and Alcohol Service

Job Description

Organisation/Department

/ Newham Drug and Alcohol Service

Job Title

/ Needle Exchange Co-ordinator

Reports to

/ Team Leader

Team Members Reporting to Job Holder

/ Volunteers/Student Placements/Peer Mentors (where appropriate)

Hours

/ 30 Hours Per Week

Salary Range

/ CRI Point 23-28 (inclusive of ILW)

Purpose of Job

/ The post-holder will co-ordinate and deliver an open access needle exchange service in alignment with all commissioned pharmacies in the borough of Newham. The post-holder will also assist in the implementation and development of this service.
The post holder will collate and submit statistical data and information that ensures the service operates within contractual requirements and enables timely and accurate reporting to all internal and external stakeholders. You will also liaise with the CRI Senior Data Analyst to develop appropriate recording mechanisms. You will be responsible for ensuring appropriate levels of stock and monitoring of this stock in order to ensure maintained service delivery.
You will be responsible for promoting this service and raising awareness of Blood Borne Viruses associated with needle exchange and provide harm reduction advice to service users. You will be expected to pro-actively recruit and provide support and supervision to Peer Mentors and Volunteers.
There is an expectation that the post-holder will provide a degree of flexibility and contribute to the wider strategic aims and on-going development of the Service.
You will be required to work flexibly within an agreed number of hours to maintain the most appropriate level of service provision.
You will be expected to take responsibility for personal development, identifying personal training needs and participate in regular supervision and appraisal.

This is a standards-based job description that incorporates the National Occupational Standards relevant to the job, as well as DANOS and other National Occupational Standards such as CJNTO.

Specific standards (DANOS related where appropriate) for this role include:

Unit Number and Title /
AA6 / Promote choice, well being and the protection of all individuals
AA1 / Recognise indications of substance misuse and refer individuals to specialists
AA2 / Relate to, and interact with, individuals
AA3 / Support individuals to access and use services and facilities
AA4 / Promote the equality, diversity, rights and responsibilities of individuals
AB1 / Support individuals who are distressed
AB2 / Support individuals who are substance users
AB3 / Contribute to the prevention and management of abusive and aggressive behaviour
AB4 / Contribute to the protection of individuals from harm and abuse
AB5 / Assess and act upon immediate risk of danger to substance users
AB6 / Support individuals to deal with relationship problems
AC1 / Reflect on and develop your practice
AC2 / Make use of supervision
AC3 / Contribute to the development of the knowledge and practice of others
AC4 / Support and challenge workers on specific aspects of their practice
AD1 / Raise awareness about substances, their use and effects
AD3 / Facilitate group learning
AD4 / Develop and disseminate information and advice about substance use, health and social well-being
AF3 / Carry out comprehensive substance misuse assessment
AG1 / Develop, implement and review care plans for individuals
AG2 / Contribute to planning, monitoring and reviewing the delivery of service for individuals
AG3 / Assist in the transfer of individuals between agencies and services
AH3 / Supply and exchange injecting equipment for individuals
AI2 / Help individuals address their substance use through an action plan
AK2 / Help individuals to access learning, training and development opportunities
AK3 / Enable individuals to access housing and accommodation
BD4 / Promote, monitor and maintain health, safety and security in the working environment
BE2 / Receive, analyse, process, use and store information
BE4 / Supplying information for management control
BG5 / Making and recording payments
BI5 / Promote effective communication for and about individuals
BI1 / Develop productive working relationships

Description of Job role and duties:

Subject / Item /
Significant Working Relationships
Communication
Specific areas of responsibility
General duties and responsibilities / The post-holder will be required to work closely with the CRI Newham management team and partner agencies to ensure the service operates in an effective and efficient manner. Developing and nurturing sound relationships with both Internal and External stakeholders is an important feature of the post.
To provide advice, information and reports clearly and concisely via the most appropriate channel [e.g. verbally, in writing, telephone, e-mail etc.] whilst being sensitive to the needs of the audience [e.g. service user, professional etc.]
In carrying out the above duties the post-holder will:
·  Offer clients confidential, easily accessible, non-judgmental support and advice around their substance use, maintaining a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
·  To address aspects of relapse prevention, harm minimisation and health awareness (including safer injecting techniques).
·  To provide links with health and social care professionals and other agencies where appropriate.
·  Provide and document needle and syringe exchange transactions during agreed opening hours
·  Engage with injecting drug users in considering the benefits of HIV and Hepatitis testing.
·  Increase the injecting community’s awareness of Blood Bourne Viruses associated with injecting drug use.
·  To promote sexual health awareness.
·  To recruit and train Peer Mentors/Volunteers to undertake the Needle Exchange service.
·  Work alongside and support peer mentors/volunteers staffing the project.
·  Ensure that effective service user records and an appropriate database to record needle exchange information within the borough is maintained throughout the service, so that statistical information for commissioners and funders can be provided as required.
·  Update the CRiiS database as and when required.
·  Maintain a knowledge of best practice in relation to the delivery of Needle Exchange Services.
·  Train CRI Newham staff and run workshops on a range of issues as and when required by the management team including harm minimisation, safer injecting, BBV’s etc.
·  To implement CRI’s Safeguarding policies and follow appropriate Safeguarding practices in order to protect Service Users, their families and the wider community in Newham and neighbouring boroughs.
·  Ensure regular consultation with service users.
·  Other duties as assigned by needle and syringe exchange services.
In carrying out the above duties the post-holder will:
·  Participate in audits in line with CRI policies
·  Work flexibly across operational sites as required
·  Work flexibly within an agreed number of hours to maintain the most appropriate level of service provision. This will include evening and weekend work
·  Seek to improve personal performance, contribution, knowledge and skills
·  Participate in the appraisal, training and supervision processes
·  Ensure the implementation of, and adherence to CRI policies and procedures
·  Act as a representative of CRI whilst in a working environment, to represent the community and the needs of those affected by substance misuse where required
·  Respond to and carry any other reasonable request made by CRI managers
In carrying out the above duties the post-holder will be expected to:
·  Follow line-management direction in order to effectively and efficiently achieve targets and outputs ensuring contractual obligations are achieved.
·  Advise the Project Manager on all aspects of the work of the project
·  Prepare reports for internal and external stakeholders as required and when requested.
·  Contribute to the design and implementation of service developments as determined and agreed
·  To be responsible for the implementation of the full range of CRI policies across the sphere of operational responsibility.
·  Attend all relevant partnership, service user and internal CRI meetings as required and/or instructed by Service Manager
·  Work with and support colleagues to foster a comfortable and healthy working environment
·  Work flexibly across the service, this could include evening and weekend work

Person Specification

It is essential that candidates have:

Essential criteria:

·  Demonstrable experience of direct client work, gained in a substance misuse environment

·  Comprehensive knowledge of the effects of drugs/alcohol on service users

·  A flexible open approach and awareness of barriers to accessing services facing hard to reach groups

·  Experience of working in partnership with other agencies

·  Ability and willingness to co-ordinate and deliver the needle exchange service to suit client need

·  Confidence to work on own initiative as well as part of a team

·  Understanding of the importance of upholding quality standards, performance monitoring and collating appropriate statistical information for annual reports.

·  Excellent interpersonal skills

·  Excellent organisational skills

·  Substantial experience of partnership working and building relationships with key external stakeholders

·  Demonstrable working knowledge of Microsoft packages or equivalent.

And the ability to:

·  Communicate confidently and effectively, verbally and in writing.

·  Present the role of Harm Minimisation to partner agencies and community groups.

·  Respond flexibly to the demands of the post.

·  Risk assessment / Building management

·  Maintain accurate and timely records of project activity

·  Show a capacity to work alone and the ability to keep calm under pressure.

·  Understand and have a commitment to the principles of equal opportunity and diversity.

·  Employ a professional, empathetic and non-judgmental attitude towards service users.

·  Show commitment to facilitating positive outcomes for service users

Desirable criteria:

·  Knowledge of local services and geography

·  Experience of working in a needle exchange environment

·  The ability to respond to appropriate requests for assistance, whilst adhering to CRI confidentiality policy

·  Good numerical skills

Amendments: This description accurately reflects the present position; the job description may be amended and will be reviewed on a regular basis. Any changes will be made following a proper period of consultation.

This post is subject to a DBS check at an enhanced level