Substance Misuse Nurse

Believe in people?

The best people have one thing in common.
They care.

At Change Grow Live, we are more than a substance misuse charity — we are a values‑driven organisation guided by compassion, openness, and boldness. Every day, we support people to create meaningful change in their lives, and we believe strongly in the power of recovery.

We are currently seeking a Substance Misuse Nurse to join our welcoming and skilled Sunderland team on a temporary 24‑month contract, commencing at the end of June.

If you are passionate about person‑centred care and want to make a real difference, we would love to hear from you.

Why work with us?

Are you looking for a role where no two days are the same, and where your clinical skills and compassion are truly valued?

At Change Grow Live, we take a whole‑person approach to care, recognising each individual as more than their substance use and supporting them on their own recovery journey. You’ll be part of a supportive, multidisciplinary team, working alongside service managers, consultant psychiatrists, experienced nurses, dedicated recovery practitioners, volunteers, and peer mentors.

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated and enthusiastic Nurse to play a key role in delivering and developing high‑quality clinical care for people affected by drugs and alcohol, while gaining valuable experience in a dynamic and rewarding service.

Location: Sunderland
Contract: Temporary, 24 months (starting end of June)
Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week

*Salary is subject to review in line with the 2025/26 pay award

*Full‑time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 per week. Part‑time roles will be paid pro rata.

Responsibilities

The Substance Misuse Nurse role is diverse, rewarding, and central to the delivery of high‑quality care within our Sunderland service. As an integral member of a skilled multidisciplinary team, you will provide specialist clinical interventions to people accessing our services, supporting them at every stage of their recovery journey.

In our service, no two days are the same. We work with people as individuals, valuing a whole‑person approach that recognises physical health, mental wellbeing, and social needs. Curiosity, strong listening skills, clinical confidence, and flexibility are essential qualities, alongside a genuine commitment to compassionate, trauma‑informed care.

Your role will include:

• Undertaking comprehensive physical and mental health assessments
• Appropriately signposting and referring individuals to primary or secondary healthcare services
• Providing health promotion, education, and blood‑borne virus (BBV) screening
• Administering Hepatitis B vaccinations where indicated
• Contributing to Change Grow Live’s Naloxone Strategy
• Ensuring clinical practice reflects current evidence, UK Guidelines on Clinical Management, NICE guidance, and CGL clinical protocols
• Delivering harm reduction advice to people who inject drugs, including the provision of information, equipment, and safe disposal guidance
• Accurately recording and maintaining clinical documentation and client data

How we support you to thrive

At Change Grow Live, we are committed to helping you develop, grow, and achieve your professional goals:

• Regular national Nurse and Healthcare Assistant forums
• Ongoing 1:1 supervision and annual appraisals
• Active support with NMC revalidation, including protected CPD time (up to 6 days per year)
• Free access to the RCNi learning platform and reimbursement of your NMC registration fee
• Opportunities to use the Apprenticeship Levy to further develop your nursing practice
• A dedicated weekly wellbeing hour and access to a wide range of wellbeing resources
• Nursing pay competitive with NHS Agenda for Change bands

What we offer

• Generous annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays, increasing with service
• Flexible working arrangements
• A paid weekly wellness hour, wellness hub access, and Employee Assistance Programme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Discounts on shopping, cinema, holidays, and more
• A friendly, inclusive, and supportive team environment
• Free eye test vouchers
• Extensive training, development, and progression opportunities
• Cycle to Work scheme and generous Refer a Friend incentives

As part of our commitment to patient safety and professional standards, all nurses are required to wear the designated company uniform while on duty. This ensures a consistent, hygienic, and professional appearance in line with our healthcare protocols.

When completing your application and supporting statement, please reflect carefully on the criteria outlined in the job description. This will help us understand how your skills, experience, and values align with the role.

Direct applications only — we are not engaging agencies for this vacancy.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage early submission.