Tobacco Dependence Advisor | Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Posting date:	18 September 2025
Salary:	Not specified
Additional salary information:	£31,049 - £37,796 per annum
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	18 October 2025
Location:	Reading, RG30 4EJ
Company:	Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	7492001/371-MHS826-A

Summary

Smoking is the largest avoidable cause of death and disability in the UK. Treating tobacco dependence is a priority for clinicians and the NHS. Berkshire Health Care has been a smoke free trust since 2015. Smokingremainsthe largest cause of preventable early death and patients who experience mental health issues are most vulnerable.


In order forus to continue to improve our support to patients who smoke werequirea Tobacco Dependence Advisor.


The Tobacco Dependence Advisor is a pivotal and exciting role based at Prospect Park Hospital within a small team .Youwillhave the motivation and desire to work with a complex and often vulnerable group of patients to achieve the best possible outcomes, improve theirquality of care and contribute to the overarching agenda of tackling avoidable illness from Tobacco Dependence and reducing health inequalities.


This role provides our patients with a real opportunity to improve their health and wellbeingthrough addressing smoking during their hospital admission and ensureappropriate supportand follow up to continue their smokefree/ cut downjourney afterdischarge


A Monday-Friday 8am-4pm or 9-5 pm working pattern is just one of the attractions this opportunity provides.

• Act as the HospitalTobacco DependenceAdvisor promoting the Trusts smoke free policy

• This post holder will provide a high-quality tobacco dependence treatment service, ensuring all patients referred arescreened andmonitored usingcarbon monoxidetesting.

• The Tobacco Dependence Advisor will work autonomously within the Mental Health Inpatient service.

• To coordinate the referrals received and carry out comprehensive assessments and devise individual treatment plans to either helppatients stop, or to reduce harm from tobacco smoking

• To provide risk assessment and support the MDT to mitigate the risk for patients who are on the caseload and ensure good communications of any risks with ward clinical teams

• Tobe responsible forthe liaison between inpatients services and specialist community Smoking cessation services to ensure seamless support for patients on discharge.

• To take the lead in post discharge liaison with CMHTs and the physical health team ifappropriate.

• Follow up at 1 month toascertainsmoking status post discharge from hospital, providing face to face review if requested by the patient.

• The post holder will helpfacilitatetraining on tobacco harm reduction and smoking cessation to staff and support any staff quit attempts ensuring they receiveappropriate support.


Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:
• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:
• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites



The “must haves” for this role:

1. Health Related QualificationorNVQ/QCF Level 5 in Health and Social Care/or Foundation degree

1. Significant experienceworking with patients who haveacutemental healthneeds

1. Previousexperience of / or a specialist interest in reducing health inequalities and health related harm from Tobacco Dependence

1. Good oral, written and verbal communication skills

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.


We strongly encourage you to review how you meet thecriteria in theperson specificationand write about thispoint-by-pointin your supporting statementfor the best chance of being shortlisted. For further application tips – see thehelp with your applicationdocument attachedonce you click apply.


We’recommitted to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.


We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Pleasedon’thesitate to call:Helen Phillipson [0792567278] or email: [helen.phillips@berkshire.nhs.uk]who’llbe delighted to help.


Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so pleasesubmityour application as soon as possible.




This advert closes on Thursday 2 Oct 2025

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