Job SummaryAs a Dual Diagnosis Practitioner, you will improve the care provided to people with co-occurring substance use & mental health conditions within adult mental health services impacting on patient experience & outcomes.
You will need to support the implementation of the co-occurring conditions strategy & NICE best practice guidance, ensuring that all staff have the knowledge & confidence needed to provide safe & effective care. You will need to be able to challenge stigma & build strong relationships with Neighbourhood MH Teams, urgent care services & wards as well as drug & alcohol & other services.
The role will be largely clinical and involve joint assessment, review, consultation and advice. You will support on the development of robust care plans in collaboration with patients, carers and drug and alcohol services.
A proportion of your time will also be devoted to service improvement through delivery of a programme of training and audit. You will need to work within leadership teams to understand and meet the challenges of busy services.
You will be embedded within mental health services and receive clinical supervision from the Dual Diagnosis Nurse Consultant and be a key member of the co-occurring conditions service development and reflective practice group.
This post is particularly suitable for those seeking career development with opportunities for additional training and education.
Main Duties of the JobClinical practice- To improve the quality of assessments and treatments for people with both mental health and substance misuse issues
- To have experience in and specialist knowledge of evidence-based practice and lead on dissemination across clinical areas.
- To establish professional relationships with other system partners and professionals to shape better care.
Practice Development- To provide specialist training and advice to other professionals and agencies.
- To clinically supervise other members of the team.
- To facilitate area communities of practice to promote skills sharing, reciprocity and clinical network development.
Research and Development- To develop teaching and training sessions for staff and professionals on specialist subject area.
- To develop joint working protocols and pathways and contribute to continuous service improvement.
- To undertake research, service evaluation and clinical audit and participate in clinical quality and governance forums as required.
Leadership and management- To provide effective leadership and supportive management which promotes high performance standards both individually and as a team. The Trust's success is dependant on the contributions of all and leaders will need to understand the Trust's priorities and those of our external partners and translate these into opportunities to improve outcomes for the populations we serve.
About UsAs we work towards our goal of providing an integrated service across primary and secondary care, our community mental health services are being transformed to recognise the changes in how people want to access them. We are working in close partnership with a range of partners and our 'experts by experience' to develop and improve our service offer.
What does this mean for you?Because we need to recruit a diverse range of people and skillsets to join us, the job (and training & development) opportunities we have on offer are as broad as they are interesting.
To protect the health and safety of our staff/workers, patients, and those attending our sites, we encourage our workforce to get fully vaccinated against COVID.DetailsDate posted: 16 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year
Per annum pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 354-AE-21332
Job locations: Eastbourne/Lewes/Wealden
Job descriptionPlease refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details and contact Becky Marshall about this year's and next year's plans.
Person SpecificationQualifications- Core Training (OT, Nursing, Social Work) with current registration appropriate to the job role.
- Degree/diploma level supplemented by specialist qualification, training, experience, courses to master's level equivalent relevant to the care group
- Evidence of post registration training in relevant service area
- Completion of Mentorship Course/ENB equivalent if relevant
Knowledge- Extensive post qualifying experience in relevant service area
- Experience of supervising staff and students
- Able to manage a caseload of patients with complex mental health needs
- Comprehensive knowledge of interventions specific to service area
- Awareness of Trust policies and service specification
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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.
Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer detailsEmployer name: Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Eastbourne/Lewes/Wealden, BN21 3UU, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website
Employer contact detailsFor questions about the job, contact:Nurse Consultant Dual Diagnosis
Becky Marshall
becky.marshall5@nhs.net
07471034200