Lead Nurse - Sanctuary Lodge in Essex

Position: Lead Nurse – Addiction/Rehabilitation
Location: Sanctuary Lodge, Halstead Essex, CO9 2DW
Salary: £38,000 – £40,000 per annum
Shifts: Monday to Friday (40 hours per week)

Join the UK\’s Leading Provider of Alcohol & Drug Rehab Services, where we pride ourselves on offering world-class treatment in welcoming and affordable facilities across the country.

Job Summary

Sanctuary Lodge , part of the UK Addiction Treatment Group (UKAT) , is seeking a Lead Nurse to join our experienced clinical team and play a key role in delivering exceptional detox and recovery care.

As Lead Nurse, you\’ll clinically lead our support teams, ensuring that every client receives safe, effective, and person-centred care throughout their detox and treatment journey. You\’ll take pride in upholding high standards, providing clinical supervision, and supporting the development of others all within a caring and collaborative environment.

Benefits of Joining Our Team:

• Career Progression: Amazing growth opportunities within UKAT
• Training & Development: Free access to ongoing training and development
• Birthday Off!
• Pension Scheme: Secure your future with our company pension plan
• Free On-site Parking
• Wellness Programme: 24/7 free counselling support via BUPA
• Blue Light Card: Enjoy thousands of retail discounts
• Employee of the Month: Earn up to £100 in monthly vouchers
• Small Client Caseload: Maximum of 23 clients

Our Core Values:

At the heart of everything we do are our four core values:

• Understanding – listening, empathising, and responding to individual needs.
• Kindness – treating everyone with dignity, respect, and compassion.
• Accountability – taking responsibility for our actions and maintaining high standards.
• Teamwork – working collaboratively to achieve the best outcomes for our clients.

What You\’ll Do:

• Clinically lead our support teams , providing guidance, supervision, and expertise to ensure high-quality care at all times.
• Assess, plan, and implement detox programmes , including alcohol detox tapers, Librium (Chlordiazepoxide) protocols, and withdrawal monitoring .
• Conduct and oversee COWS (Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale) and CIWA-Ar assessments to guide safe detox progression.
• Monitor and interpret vital signs (BP, pulse, respiration, O2 sats, and temperature) to identify early signs of deterioration.
• Respond effectively to clinical and medical emergencies , ensuring client safety and adhering to clinical best practice.
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation, support audits, and contribute to quality improvement initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with doctors, therapists, GPs, and external professionals to deliver integrated treatment.
• Mentor and develop support workers , promoting continuous learning, detox knowledge, and best practice across the team.
• Oversee daily clinical operations , stepping into centre management responsibilities when required.

Our Core Values:

At the heart of everything we do are our four core values:

• Understanding – listening, empathising, and responding to individual needs.
• Kindness – treating everyone with dignity, respect, and compassion.
• Accountability – taking responsibility for our actions and maintaining high standards.
• Teamwork – working collaboratively to achieve the best outcomes for our clients.

What We\’re Looking For:

• NMC-registered nurse (RGN/RMN) with post-registration experience.
• Strong clinical leadership and communication skills.
• Experience within substance misuse, mental health, or a similar clinical environment (desirable).
• A proactive, compassionate professional who thrives in a multidisciplinary setting.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary of £38,000 – £40,000 (DOE).
• Monday to Friday schedule – no regular weekend or night shifts.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Supportive team culture with a focus on staff wellbeing and clinical excellence.
• The chance to make a real difference in people\’s lives every day.

The Recruitment Process:

• You will have an initial phone conversation with the talent acquisition specialist, which will be an informal chat and opportunity to ask questions about the position
• If you are successful in your initial phone conversation, you will be required to undertake an interview on-site or via video conference. (please note that if you have a video interview, you will be required to visit the centre at a later date for a tour.)
• Our shortlisted candidates will be notified if they are successful within 5 working days post interview.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer, committed to making our recruitment process inclusive and accessible to all