Clinical Nurse Specialist- Homeless Outreach in London

The aim is to provide a specialised service for homeless individuals within the local authority catchment. The role includes health promotion, general health screening, facilitation of primary care services, management of substance use and addiction disorders, and support of clients particularly with alcohol dependency. Nurse‑led peripatetic general health clinics will be conducted in hostels and on the street, supported through general practice.

Main Duties

• Develop pathways into specialist services for clients.
• Train hostel and partnership outreach staff to manage residents outside regular hours.
• Conduct nurse‑led general health clinics within hostels and for street homeless individuals.
• Support clients, especially those with alcohol dependency, where traditional treatments may not be suitable.

Responsibilities

Management and Leadership

• Contribute to a culture of risk assessment and management, ensuring delivery of key quality, financial, cost‑improvement and performance targets.
• Develop and implement systems and processes to support compliance with Care Quality Commission Essential Standards for Safety and Quality.
• Represent the peripatetic service at internal and external clinical meetings, acting as a professional role model.
• Provide positive feedback to staff and acknowledge strengths.
• Maintain data‑driven KPIs and documentation in line with the Data Protection Act and Information Sharing Protocol.

Education and Training

• Identify knowledge gaps and disseminate specialist knowledge to staff.
• Provide teaching and mentoring to new and upgraded staff, and to pre‑ and post‑registration students.
• Coordinate development of educational materials.
• Take responsibility for own professional development and review competencies.
• Publish, present and network locally and nationally.

Communication

• Participate in multi‑disciplinary meetings and satellite clinics in primary care, providing guidance on clinical management of substance‑misusing clients.
• Maintain effective collaboration with colleagues, partners and other service providers.
• Promote open dialogue, a positive culture of communication and therapeutic relationships.

Data Management

• Use word processing and electronic systems for monitoring and recording client data.
• Ensure accurate, up‑to‑date documentation and confidentiality.
• Submit required KPI data and adhere to reporting policies.

Person Specification – Education and Qualifications

• Essential: RMN/RGN, experience working with rough sleeper clients.
• Desirable: Diploma in Drugs and Alcohol Studies or equivalent, training in CBT, completed Motivational Interviewing module.

Person Specification – Previous Experience

• Essential: extensive post‑registration experience in mental/general health and with drug and alcohol users; supply and administration of Hepatitis vaccines; case‑management and risk‑assessment experience; teaching/assessing qualification ENB 998/SLICE.
• Desirable: community nursing, experience working with street homeless clients, willingness to obtain teaching qualification within six months.

Person Specification – Skills and Knowledge

• Essential: sound clinical knowledge of NHS policies and drug issues; excellent verbal, written and presentation skills; strong interpersonal and negotiation skills; independent working and prioritisation; dual‑diagnosis assessment and treatment; leadership and organisational capability; ability to teach and disseminate; culturally sensitive and respectful approach; IT literacy (Microsoft Word, clinical data systems).
• Desirable: caseload management experience, research and counselling knowledge, Motivational Interviewing/relapse management skills, group facilitation.

Person Specification – Attitudes and Personal Characteristics

• Essential: commitment to multidisciplinary teamwork, user involvement, flexibility and responsiveness, understanding of Equal and Diversity policy.