About this role
Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for a confident and compassionate Independent Nurse Prescriber to join our dedicated Substance Misuse Service based at Shrublands House. You'll play a pivotal role in transforming the lives of people experiencing alcohol and drug dependency, working within a supportive multidisciplinary team that values clinical autonomy, innovation, and high-quality care.
As an experienced prescriber, you will independently assess, diagnose, and manage treatment plans for service users, including the safe prescribing of medication and controlled drugs in line with policy, evidence-based practice, and your professional scope. Your clinical expertise will help shape recovery journeys, from initial assessment through to ongoing evaluation and relapse-prevention planning.
You will also provide duty prescribing cover, support community alcohol detox pathways, and contribute to a service culture that prioritises safety, dignity, and positive outcomes. This role offers the chance to make a meaningful impact every day while developing your specialist skills within a respected and forward-thinking organisation.
Main duties of the job
Clinical assessment -- Provide comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, and ongoing management of treatment interventions for individuals with alcohol and drug dependency.
Independent prescribing -- Prescribe medication, including controlled drugs, in line with policy, evidence-based practice, and scope of professional competence, ensuring safe and cost-effective prescribing.
Detox suitability assessment -- Identify and assess service users who may require inpatient detoxification.
Urgent care management -- Respond promptly to urgent health concerns, seeking senior clinical advice when necessary.
Collaborative care planning -- Work closely with recovery workers to ensure clinical interventions align with individual Recovery Plans, referring to partner agencies where appropriate.
Case management -- Conduct regular case management reviews and contribute to multidisciplinary clinical discussions.
Clinical documentation -- Maintain accurate, up-to-date clinical records and prescribing plans in accordance with legislation, policies, and organisational procedures.
Information sharing -- Share relevant information appropriately within agreed protocols to support risk management and public safety.
Data reporting -- Record service-user data and activity statistics in line with organisational guidelines.
Professional standards -- Work within professional competence, adhering to regulatory codes of conduct, organisational policies, and national prescribing competencies.
About us
Why Work With Us?
Our service is committed to promoting wellbeing, supporting recovery, and empowering people across Torbay to make meaningful and lasting positive changes.
The Torbay Drug and Alcohol Service is built around three core components that work together to provide holistic, person-centred care:
Psycho-social
Psycho-educational
Prescribing
Our expert multidisciplinary team offers flexible, accessible support to anyone affected by drugs or alcohol in Torbay. We provide a comprehensive range of interventions, including:
Comprehensive assessments for adults (18+), covering prescribed, legal, illegal, and over-the-counter substances
A named Recovery Coordinator to guide and support each individual's treatment journey
Structured psychological interventions, delivered 1:1 and in group settings
Referral pathways to community-based residential rehabilitation programmes
Assessment for prescribing interventions, including stabilisation, detoxification, and reduction programmes
Signposting and advice to ensure access to wider support services
Naloxone provision and training to reduce the risk of opioid-related harm
Blood-borne virus testing (Hep B, Hep C, HIV) and Hepatitis B immunisation
Peer support groups to build connection and resilience
Relapse prevention support to help sustain long-term recovery
Job description Job responsibilities
Clinical assessment & prescribing Independently assess, diagnose, and prescribe (including controlled drugs) for individuals with complex alcohol and drug dependency, ensuring safe, evidencebased and costeffective treatment.
Risk management & harm reduction Deliver harmreduction advice, manage urgent health needs, assess detox suitability, and support BBV testing, vaccination, and saferuse interventions.
Collaborative care planning Work closely with recovery workers, pharmacies, and partner agencies to align clinical interventions with Recovery Plans and ensure continuity of care.
Clinical leadership & governance Provide clinical advice to colleagues, contribute to policy development, chair clinical meetings, and uphold professional standards, regulatory codes, and prescribing competencies.
Recordkeeping, supervision & professional development Maintain accurate clinical records, participate in supervision and appraisal, stay up to date with research and best practice, and model a culture of openness, equality, and positive change.
Person Specification
Qualifications and training Essential
Registered Nurse Registration with NMC Masters (Level 7 or equivalent Independent/Supplementary Prescriber)
Desirable
3 years' experience within Substance Misuse Skilled in working with a highly complex client group exhibiting challenging behaviours
Knowledge and experience Essential
Significant and demonstrable experience of working within a Substance Misuse Service Motivational Interviewing - MI training Fully conversant with the recovery agenda and associated interventions utilised in the substance misuse field Proven experience of working in partnership with professionals from a number of agencies Fully conversant with NICE and DoH guidelines in relation to drug and alcohol interventions/treatment Full understanding and working knowledge of children's and adult's safeguarding procedures Proven knowledge of the theory and practice of interventions to support problematic alcohol and drug users Proven competence in planning and delivering interventions for problematic drug and alcohol users Development and Input into developing policy in relation to specialist prescribing of controlled drugs
Desirable
Trauma Informed Approach Training
Specific Skills Essential
Prescribing Controlled Drugs to a potentially high risk cohort of Intravenous Drug Users Excellent communication skills Administrations skills including IT and standard desktop applications and packages
Desirable
Skilled in working with a highly complex client group exhibiting challenging behaviours
Requirements due to work environment/conditions Essential
Able to prioritise work, and work well against a background of change and uncertainty Commitment to team-working and respect for the skills of others Self-motivated, proactive and innovative Ability to promote workforce diversity and contribute to wider equality and diversity agenda
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Address Shrublands House
8 Morgan Avenue
Torquay
TQ2 5RS
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)