Clinical Nurse Specialist (Grade 2) - Drug & Alcohol HDACL Clinical Skills Enhancement Program
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- Clinical Nurse Specialist
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- REQ622567 Requisition #
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- Nov 19, 2025 Post Date
Employment Type: Temporary Full Time, Until 6 July 2026
Position Classification: Clinical Nurse Specialist Grade 2
Remuneration: $116,639.98 - $120,469.88 Per Annum, Plus Super
Hours Per Week: 38
Requisition ID: REQ622567
Location: St George, Sutherland & Prince of Wales Hospitals
Applications Close: 30th June 2026
'This Talent Pool is being created for future Ongoing or Temporary roles that may arise over the next 18 months’.
About the Hospital Drug & Alcohol Consultation Liaison (HDACL) role:
The Hospital Drug and Alcohol Hospital Consultation Liaison (HDACL) Clinical Nurse Specialist will work alongside the Clinical Nurse Consultants and the multidisciplinary team to provide specialist assessment, treatment and intervention for patients who present to hospital with alcohol and other drug concerns. The role works across inpatient wards and emergency departments as part of a multidisciplinary team, offering consultation, brief interventions, withdrawal assessments, treatment initiation, harm reduction advice and support with ongoing treatment planning as part of a holistic approach to care. The role supports hospital teams with advice on the management of substance use, withdrawal and related risks, and helps link patients, families and carers with appropriate community and specialist drug and alcohol services on discharge.
Where you'll be working:
The vision for South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) is ‘exceptional care, healthier lives’. SESLHD is committed to enabling our community to be healthy and well, and to providing the best possible compassionate care when people need it. Population and Community Health (PaCH) is part of South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD). PaCH provides community health services that give care to individuals, families and carers, as well as population health services that focus on the whole community or key groups within the community. PaCH services are provided at the District’s hospitals, community-based facilities including child and family health centres, community health centres and specialist clinics. PaCH works closely with other service providers across SESLHD, including hospitals and mental health services.
The successful applicant will work as part of the SESLHD Drug and Alcohol Service, providing specialist assessment, treatment and support to people with alcohol and other drug concerns. The position will be based at either St George Hospital, Sutherland Hospital or Prince of Wales Hospital, to be confirmed following interview. Our goal is to improve health, wellbeing and social outcomes for individuals, families and the community related to drug and alcohol use. Learn more about us here: https://www.seslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/servicesclinics/population-community-health
What you'll be doing:
The Clinical Nurse Specialist Grade 2 delivers senior nursing leadership in the coordination and delivery of drug and alcohol treatment services, with a primary focus on hospital consultation liaison. The position works collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide:
• Comprehensive drug and alcohol assessment, treatment, brief intervention and referral.
• Support and advice to hospital clinicians regarding the management of substance use, withdrawal, intoxication and related risks.
• Care planning, crisis intervention and evaluation of care in line with the NSW Health Clinical Care Standards: Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment.
Drug and alcohol experience requirements
To be considered for this role, applicants must have:
• Demonstrated experience working in drug and alcohol services or a relevant post-graduate qualification in drug and alcohol or a related field may be considered suitable.
• A sound knowledge and understanding of drug and alcohol fundamentals, including harm minimisation, withdrawal management, relapse prevention and the impacts of substance use on physical and mental health.
Respirator use – NSW Health:
Health workers may be required to use a respirator, as part of their appointment with NSW Health. Where a respirator is required for use, workers will be instructed in their safe use; including donning, doffing and fit checking. Staff may be required to complete fit testing to selected respirator/s to assess their facial fit/seal. At all times when a health worker is required to use a respirator, the health worker must not have any facial hair present. Processes are in place to support workers that need to keep facial hair due to religious observance requirements and/ or health conditions.
Benefits:
- Up to 12 allocated days off each year in addition to annual leave.
- Salary packaging options that reduce your taxable income and increase your take-home pay! Up to $9K for living expenses and $2.6K meal & entertainment & Novated Leasing.
- Discounted gym memberships with a Fitness Passport.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and family members.
- Discounted Private Health Insurance.
Selection Criteria:
- Current registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Australia (AHPRA) with relevant post-registration qualifications and at least 3 years’ experience working in the drug and alcohol nursing field, or such other qualifications or equivalent experience deemed appropriate.
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex drug & alcohol clinical care and service delivery issues and problem solve through the development and use of clinical management plans.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise extended autonomy of decision making while working as part of a multidisciplinary team and apply professional and ethical boundaries when dealing with complex situations.
- Demonstrated skills in the development & facilitation of patient and carer education.
- Demonstrated high level written and verbal communication, interpersonal skills and the ability to identify key messages, issues and concerns when communicating with others.
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of harm minimisation and evidence of leadership in safety and quality innovation.
- Demonstrated competence in the use of health-related information technology.
Need more information?
1) Click here for the Position Description and SESLHD Expected Standards
2) Find out more about applying for this position
For role related queries or questions contact Abigail Lax on Abigail.Lax@invalidemail.com
Our CORE Values are Collaboration, Openness, Respect and Empowerment and have been created by employees for employees and help define how we work and to inspire positive interactions in the workplace.
We embrace diversity as our strength and are committed to maintaining an inclusive and collaborative work environment. Our workplaces are welcoming and safe for all our employees, irrespective of their unique characteristics including age, ethnicity, cultural or spiritual background, gender identity, disability, education and social-economic status. Read about our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Strategy for more information.
Reasonable Adjustments:
NSW Health recognises everyone is unique, and that you may require some adjustments to ensure you have the best opportunity to apply. If we can make some adjustments to the NSW Health recruitment/interview process, then please email SESLHD-Recruitment-PaCH@invalidemail.com and let us know. Adjustments may include but are not limited to, physical requirements, interview setups and specific interview availability times where required.
Information For Applicants:
- An eligibility list may be created for future vacancies
- Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur if no suitable permanent resident or citizen of Australia has been identified for this position following suitable labour market testing.
- Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description
- Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specific Diseases for all positions prior to offer
- We do have an Aboriginal Workforce Team that can also provide support (SESLHD-AboriginalWorkforce@invalidemail.com) and for additional information please visit our Stepping Up Website