Clinical Nurse Specialist - Drug & Alcohol Consultation Liaison
Lead drug & alcohol consultation at John Hunter, Belmont or Maitland - make a real difference in substance use recovery at your choice of major hospital.
Employment Type: Temporary Full and Part Time Opportunities
Position Classification: Clinical Nurse Specialist Grade 2
Remuneration: $116,639.98 - $120,469.88 Per Annum + 12% Super + Salary Packaging
Hours Per Week: Up to 38
Requisition ID: REQ641685
Location: Newcastle, Belmont or Maitland
Applications Close: Sunday, 8th March 2026
To be eligible for permanent employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport. Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur if no suitable local candidate is identified for the position; in this instance, you may only be offered employment in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa.
We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.
Location & Roles
📍John Hunter Hospital – Temporary Part Time (Until June 2026)
📍Maitland Hospital – Temporary Part Time (Until June 2027)
📍Belmont Hospital – Temporary Full Time (Until June 2027)
Where You’ll Be Working
Join the Drug and Alcohol Clinical Services (DACS) Consultation Liaison (CL) team, delivering specialist support. This dynamic service improves health outcomes for people of all ages experiencing harmful substance use, providing individualised, case-managed care and leadership in withdrawal management across inpatient and community settings. You'll work closely with emergency departments, primary treating teams, the Youth Drug and Alcohol Clinical Service (YDACS), and multidisciplinary stakeholders, using a stepped-care approach to support children, young people and adults.
About the Role
As a Clinical Nurse Specialist - Drug & Alcohol Consultation Liaison, you'll provide expert assessment, case management and specialist advice to patients withdrawing from substances, collaborating with ED and inpatient teams to deliver safe, individualised care. Your work will span inpatient consultations, community follow-up and youth-focused support, including OAT treatment guidance, patient engagement and liaison with the broader DACS and YDACS programs. Reporting to service leadership, you'll balance autonomy in clinical decision-making with close teamwork to optimise treatment pathways and health outcomes at your assigned hospital.
About You
You're an experienced Registered Nurse with a passion for drug and alcohol care, skilled in engaging patients with complex substance use needs across all ages, including youth. You bring advanced clinical judgement, strong patient engagement skills and expertise in D&A interventions like OAT treatment, thriving in fast-paced hospital environments while building collaborative relationships with multidisciplinary teams.
You bring:
- Current Authority to Practice as a Registered Nurse with AHPRA
- Relevant post-registration qualifications in drug and alcohol, mental health or related field, plus at least 3 years' experience in the clinical area (or equivalent)
- Eligible to drive in NSW and willingness to travel for work purposes
- Demonstrated patient engagement skills and knowledge of D&A OAT treatment
- Ability to provide specialist consultation and case management in inpatient and community settings
- Strong collaboration skills with ED, inpatient teams and youth services
- Commitment to evidence-based practice and supporting vulnerable populations
You'll receive comprehensive orientation to DACS services, ongoing training and support from the multidisciplinary team to ensure a smooth transition and continuous professional growth.
The Perks
At Hunter New England Health enjoy a career where you're challenged by interesting work and surrounded by spectacular locations. Join the team enriching health in millions of ways every day:
✅Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero
✅Monthly Allocated Days Off (for full-time employees)
✅4 weeks annual leave (pro-rata for part time employees)
✅Paid parental leave (for eligible employees) - giving you the opportunity for true Worklife balance
✅Salary packaging options - up to $11,600 plus novated leasing
✅Fitness Passport for health and well-being - discounted gym options for you and your family
✅Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members
Need more information?
1) Click here for the Position Description
2) Find out more about applying for this position
For role related queries or questions contact Raka Tierney on Raka.Tierney@health.nsw.gov.au
Information for Applicants:
Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link below). For assistance addressing selection criteria visit: https://bit.ly/3vL5fq2
Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/HNEHealthSteppingUp
This is a Category A position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category A positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy.
Hunter New England Health is dedicated to fostering a child-safe environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people, aligned with NSW Health’s commitment to implementing the Child Safe Standards. We aim to ensure that children and young people feel safe, supported, and included in their care. All current and prospective staff are expected to prioritise the safety, welfare, and well-being of children and young people, actively working to protect them from harm and abuse.
At Hunter New England Local Health District, we are an inclusive employer dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. Our commitment to a workforce that reflects the community we care for is essential for delivering the highest quality healthcare to our community. We encourage people with diverse lived experiences to apply. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to the recruitment process please let us know when you apply or at any stage of the process. We will work with you to meet your needs and create the best possible experience. Please contact HNELHD-Diversity@health.nsw.gov.au for confidential support to ensure an equitable, barrier-free application process.
Hunter New England Health employees may be eligible for a range of benefits such as allocated days off (ADO) for full time employees, long service leave, paid maternity leave, and salary packaging options including meal expenses.
An eligibility list will be created for future temporary full or part time vacancies.
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