Tobacco Dependency Advisor (NN): Sponsorship Available

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated individual to join us as a Tobacco Dependence Advisor (TDA), supporting the delivery of the new Emergency Department Stop Smoking Service operating within Norfolk’s three acute hospital Trusts. You will be based at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

Although the post will have a designated base, the service operates across Norfolk’s three acute hospital sites, and the post holder may be required to work flexibly across the Trust throughout the contract. This may include travelling to and working from different sites, such as:

• James Paget University Hospital
• Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn

The aim of this role is to proactively identify and engage adult smokers, including both patients and accompanying adults. You will provide brief interventions, offer advice, supply a vape kit, and deliver evidence-based support to help individuals begin their journey toward stopping smoking.

This role is ideal for a Health Care Assistant seeking a new challenge, or someone with Lifestyle Services experience and a passion for improving public health. We also welcome applications from individuals who bring lived experience of tobacco dependence or behaviour change, as this insight can greatly enhance empathetic, patient-centred support.

If you enjoy patient-facing work and are motivated by helping people achieve meaningful, long-term health improvements, this is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference.

Main duties of the job

• To promote the new service in Norfolk Acute Trusts
• Proactively identify and engage with adult patients and visitors attending the three Emergency Departments in Norfolk who smoke and deliver Very Brief Advice (VBA) informing and encouraging them to engage with the smoking cessation services on offer.
• Providing immediate, evidence-based, non-judgemental advice and support using brief intervention models tailored to the Emergency Department setting.
• Offering free vape starter kits to support immediate quit attempts, consistent with national harm reduction guidance.
• Recording engagement, quit attempts, and referrals to inform performance monitoring, service evaluation, and reporting.
• Maintaining contact with the patient, contacting them within 48 hours of engagement and at least once a week prior to the 28-day quit date up to 6 weeks.
• Working to monthly targets to ensure that KPIs are met and adapt and target delivery in line with projected outcomes for long term success.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• NCSCT Practitioner trained or willingness to undertake relevant tobacco dependency training
• Relevant qualification in health, healthcare, health promotion, or equivalent relevant experience
• Car owner/driver

Experience

Essential

• Experience of providing healthcare, health advice or health promotion advice to patients or members of the public
• Experience of working in a healthcare, hospital, community, or other customer-facing environment

Desirable

• Use of IT systems (e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook, PharmOutcomes)
• Experience of engaging and supporting people who may be ambivalent or resistant to behaviour change
• Evidence of effective team working and working with a range of professionals or partners
• Experience of delivering smoking cessation or tobacco dependency support
• Experience of working within an acute NHS/secondary care setting

Skills

Essential

• Good understanding of tobacco dependency, the health consequences of smoking and the benefits of quitting
• Understanding of behaviour change and evidence-based approaches to smoking cessation and brief interventions
• Understanding of barriers to engagement

Desirable

• Good interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and engage people in a sensitive, non-judgemental way
• Ability to work confidently and sensitively in a busy Emergency Department environment

Closing Date: 27 October 2026