Tobacco Treatment Advisor

Job summary

The NHS Long Term Plan gives a commitment that all people admitted to hospital that smoke will be offered NHS-funded tobacco treatment services by 2023/24.

The Gloucestershire Hospitals Tackling Tobacco Dependency programme (based on the Ottawa model) is the systematic implementation at scale of the treatment of tobacco dependency in secondary care and the provision of ongoing support for people, as delivered by community stop cessation services or community at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are committed to implementing the Tackling Tobacco Dependency programme in our hospitals. This is the first step in developing a wider Healthy Hospitals Programme implementing the other prevention measures from the NHS Long Term Plan that are relevant to Trusts. The Tackling Tobacco Dependency programme will increase the support we offer to people who are admitted to, or attend, our Hospitals. The programme will also provide more support to staff who wish to quit and help us to have smoke-free hospitals and grounds.

The Tackling Tobacco Dependency programme recognises smoking as an addiction (tobacco dependency) and that it is a chronic, relapsing clinical condition that prematurely kills at least half of people who smoke. Smoking is seen as a medical condition that can be treated, rather than as a lifestyle choice.

Secondments can be considered for this post.

Main duties of the job

Specifically, the post holder will:

o Support the day-to-day running of the onsite tobacco treatment service to ensure safe, well-organised and evidenced-based care is offered routinely to all identified smokers and provided to all that access the service.

o Work with people to change their behaviour to improve their health to include patients and staff.

o Work autonomously in line with the Trust's Smoke Free policy, the NHS Long Term plan, NICE guidance and NCSCT best practice guidance.

o Provide support in a range of settings as required for the delivery of smoking cessation service.

o Promote the general health and wellbeing of people who use the service through offering healthy lifestyle advice and support.

o Act as a Tobacco-Free Champion promoting the smoke-free message through their day-to-day work.

o Record and report all activities and results.

o Deliver training on treating tobacco dependency and 'Very Brief Advice' to staff groups across the Trust.

o Support the delivery of the service key performance and reporting indicators for tobacco dependency.

o Provide advice and support to ward staff, including reinforcing the training provided to inpatient teams to reduce harm from tobacco and the promotion of smoke-free settings.

o Organise own workload and work unsupervised in a busy team. Maintain a high standard of work and prioritise own workload according to the needs of the service.

About us

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the largest employer in the county and with over 8,000 staff, we are one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK. We offer a generous annual leave allowance, excellent bank rates, access to the excellent NHS Pension Scheme, discounts for local shops, restaurants and services, access to our health and well-being hub, access to our two on-site nurseries, flexible working options, discounted public transport, reward and recognition schemes, exercise and activity classes and membership to our popular hospital choir.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical duties

Deliver comprehensive, person-centred tobacco harm reduction (smoking cessation) assessments, advice and support sessions, including advice on stop smoking medications and e-cigarettes, whilst working within recommended protocols and guidelines. This will involve face to face sessions in a variety of settings and venues across the Trust, including the patient bedside, working closely with the Gloucestershire Health & Care Trust Community Services.

Develop individually tailored support plans including recommending pharmacological treatments based on assessed needs.

Provide information to people about stopping smoking, minimizing harm from tobacco and health-related issues in line with best guidance and protocols.

Implement treatment plans and provide behavioural support to patients who engage with the Tobacco Treatment Service.

Communicate smoking-related issues in relation to an individual patients care plan in a holistic way working closely with maternity or hospital services. To communicate this effectively both to the patient and to the staff groups involved in relevant context.

Deliver tobacco harm reduction / stop smoking support to specific client groups (, pre-operative patients, inpatients, outpatients, relatives/carers of people who have been admitted and staff).

Provide general health and lifestyle advice and support to people using the , healthy eating, physical activity, stress management. This will include individual and group-based interventions, signposting and referring to other health, community and voluntary services.

Maintain clinical and specialist knowledge that is required to remain effective within the post.

Act as a specialist in the area of tobacco dependency treatment and provide advice and support to ward staff on subject matter.

Ensure robust discharge planning for the patients ongoing specialist tobacco dependency treatment / stop smoking support for patients consenting to follow-up care.

Contribute to awareness-raising sessions in the Trust and to reinforce the training provided to staff by the Healthy Hospital Programme Manager and Health Improvement Manager to reduce harm from tobacco and the promotion of smoke-free settings. This will include delivering training to ward staff based on the subject matter area.

Ensure that the service adopts a Making Every Contact Count (MECC) approach in contacts with patients.

Facilitate any transfer of care into Community Stop smoking provision, such as Local Authority Stop Smoking Service or primary care including GP or Pharmacy.

Take and record patients carbon monoxide monitor readings. Understand how to interpret and communicate the results in line with training.

Advise patients on the use of stop smoking pharmacotherapy, including NRT, Varenicline and e-cigarettes/vapes.

Practice safely within infection, prevention and control measures. Help to facilitate smoke free environments.

Signpost individuals to other appropriate services to further support their health and wellbeing needs.

Facilitate follow-up phone calls to patients who have engaged in an intervention from the team.

Contribute to and influence Trust policy, procedures, clinical guidelines and care pathways to support the Smoke-Free agenda.

Assist in supporting the implementation of innovative quality improvement projects and initiatives to increase awareness of tobacco dependence treatment and make improvements to service provision.

Monitoring and administrative tasks

To contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of the service, including the completion of the minimum data set requirement. This will include following up quitters who do not engage in the support offered.

Maintain accurate patient and staff records in line with Trust guidelines.

Respond effectively to referrals within stated timescales.

Work closely with the Gloucestershire Health & Care Trust community services to ensure a smooth hand over of patient care.

Ensure administrative duties are carried out efficiently and effectively in order to meet the needs of the service.

Support the development and dissemination of publicity and support materials for the service, in collaboration with the communications team and the service.

Ensure that any database or client-related data are correctly stored, processed and secured in line with departmental and Trust policies and to comply with IG requirements.

Ensure that smoking status and treatments are entered into the patient record in a timely fashion.

Ensure referral engagement/attendance and outcome records are kept and analysed for service evaluation and development.

Service improvement

To be involved in monitoring and evaluation of patient feedback, offering recommendations as part of the team to improve services.

To be involved in the marketing and promotion of the service alongside other colleagues in collaboration with the Trust communications team.

Act as a Tobacco-Free champion, discussing smoking with smokers on-site and offering appropriate advice.

To be involved in Quality Improvement to enhance the effectiveness of the service.

Contribute and assist with audits, surveys, research and development activities to support improvement in practice.

Undertake specific project and/or development activities under the supervision of the Health Improvement Manager and Head of Health Inequalities and Healthy Hospitals.

General duties and responsibilities

Alert line manager to any issues in work (including concerns about individuals or work in the community) and maintain confidentiality.

At all times treat patients, visitors and colleagues with dignity and respect, exercising discretion and maintaining confidentiality.

Ensure that no action or omission on your part is detrimental to the condition, safety, well-being, and interest of the patients.

Work in a collaborative and co-operative manner with other members of the care team and observe operational policy and procedure requirements.

Promote a safe working environment at all times, reporting untoward incidents in line with Trust Policy.

Take every reasonable opportunity to maintain and update knowledge, competence and skill.

Carry out continued professional and personal development as identified by line manager.

Work independently and use own initiative within role boundaries and under the management and guidance of line manager when delivering patient or client care.

Responsible for maintaining own professional and personal standards.

Adhere to Safeguarding practices and procedures.

Financial management and asset management responsibilities

Use Trust resources efficiently and suggest efficiency savings to more senior staff when appropriate.

Ensure CO monitors are in working condition reporting any issues with them as required.

Monitor supplies of CO monitoring disposables and health promotion supplies.

Staff management responsibilities

None

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS The scope of this role will require the postholder to be in communication with many of the following, but not exclusive to, on a regular basis.

Head of Health Inequalities and Healthy Hospital Programme Manager

Health Improvement Manager: Tackling Tobacco Dependency

Other Tobacco Treatment Advisors

Gloucestershire Health and Care Trust Community Staff

Gloucestershire County Council Public Health Team

Healthy Lifestyles Gloucestershire Team

Occupational Health Staff

All trust staff including Nursing staff, Medical staff, Allied Health Professionals, Maternity staff, Ward Clerks and Admin Support Officers

Patients and their families

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Educated to GCSE (or equivalent) grade C or above in English and Maths. NVQ level 3 in Health care (or equivalent). Smoking Cessation Training Level 2 or willing to undertake within 3 months of starting in post.

Desirable

Specific training in health promotion interventions. Motivational interviewing skills / training

Experience

Essential

Experience of providing healthcare, healthcare advice or health promotion advice to patients or members of the public. Experience of providing help, support and/or counselling on a one to one or group basis.

Desirable

Experience of working in the NHS in the community or hospital setting. Experience in delivering training on a one-to-one or group basis. Experience of engaging with patients, assessing their needs and planning appropriate interventions.

Knowledge / Skills

Essential

Good knowledge and understanding of evidence-based practice in smoking cessation, the consequences of smoking and the benefits of quitting. Ability to build and maintain good working relationships with professionals / individuals from different professional backgrounds and at all levels. Excellent communication (written and verbal) and listening skills. Computer literate, experience of using Microsoft Office software.

Desirable

Experience of using clinical systems.

---