Job description

Job responsibilities

Main purpose of job:

• To provide a specialist Lymphoedema Service to people with lymphoedema, helping them maintain and/or improve their quality of life through a range of therapeutic actions and activities;
• Undertake holistic assessment of patients and develop, implement and consolidate programmes of care for individuals and their carers;
• Demonstrate sound clinical knowledge/skills in the provision of lymphoedema care and ensure these are updated; and
• To act as a resource and support to Hospice staff and community professionals by offering specialist knowledge and skills in lymphoedema management.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Professional

• Support the Lymphoedema Team Leader and other members of the Lymphoedema team in the management of a defined caseload of patients across multiple sites, providing care for mild to severe, complex complicated chronic oedema which will encompass the provision of manual lymphatic drainage and multi-layer bandaging;
• Act as a resource in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of all patients with lymphoedema, recognising individual physical and psychological needs and observing the principles of holistic care when planning treatment, which are sensitive to the ethnic, cultural and spiritual needs of the person;
• Formulate individualised patient management and treatment plans in agreement with patient and/or carers, enabling them to make informed choices and decisions related to treatment;
• Ensure patients and/or carers are given appropriate oral and written information regarding planned care;
• Provide emotional and psychosocial support to lymphoedema patients facing chronic disease and life limiting illnesses including those with advanced disease;
• Communicate sensitive and complex information effectively to patients and carers;
• Maintain an accurate and effective record keeping system, collect data and provide reports as required, including electronic systems;
• Develop and maintain skills required to practice within the field of lymphoedema management in order to assess and diagnose specific symptoms within the scope of practice, advise other health care professionals about appropriate interventions according to the patients requirements;

• Work in collaboration with colleagues and members of the multidisciplinary team to provide the highest possible standard of care and support for patients & their families with lymphedema;
• Provide evidence-based professional advice to other health care workers within the area;
• Refer to other specialist services where appropriate;
• Accept and prioritise referrals to the service, organise own workload;
• Promote evidence-based lymphoedema practice with measurable standards and outcomes, aiming to improve care and quality of life;
• Ensure registration with own professional body and is aware of their Code of Professional Conduct and Scope of Professional Practice;
• Be responsible for the maintenance and safety of all lymphoedema equipment, including carrying out related risk assessments as requested;
• Ensure the cost-effective use of all resources including responsibility for issuing of compression garments and equipment to manage lymphedema;
• Support the Lymphoedema Team Leader to redesign and reshape the Lymphoedema service and ensure the implementation of change ensuring the service remains responsive to the needs of patients; and
• Contribute to the development of new and innovative approaches to the delivery and development of care.

Educational Responsibilities

• Identify personal training and continually update and maintain own self-development and awareness, identifying and utilising appropriate educational and study resources in line with professional regulating body requirements;
• Participate in the planning and delivery of lymphoedema education for health care professionals, patients and carers, using a variety of approaches to education;
• Participate in the Hospices mandatory training programme;
• Participate in the assessment of the lymphoedema educational needs of patients, carers and staff;
• Participate in the Hospice in-house educational programmes and the in-service induction and training of other professionals and volunteers as required, involving mentorship of pre and post registration students, teaching assessing individuals and groups;
• Consistently draw on research and literature to influence specialist lymphoedema practice;
• Participate in the development and delivery of formal educational programmes both internally and externally; and
• Provide the opportunity for the education of learners from a variety of professions.

General Duties and Responsibilities

• All employees are required to abide by the Health and Safety at Work Act, attend annual mandatory training sessions and ensure they comply with Hospice policies and procedures at all times;
• Employees must demonstrate commitment to their own personal development and are required to make a positive contribution to fundraising and raising the profile of the Hospice;
• Strict confidentiality applying to all aspects of Hospice business must be observed at all times; and
• Report promptly to the Team Leader or Director of Clinical Services any untoward incident, complaint, grievance etc or other aspect likely to affect the safe and efficient functioning of the service.

Person Specification

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Possess a demonstrable level of theoretical and clinical knowledge of Lymphoedema management
• Be able to use appropriate assessment techniques
• Be able to formulate specific and appropriate management plans including the setting of timescales
• Be competent in the application of compression garments and lymphoedema bandaging
• Be competent in the practise of Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Simple Lymphatic Drainage
• Understand the need to establish and maintain a safe practice environment
• Awareness of National guidelines and legislation relating to health and social care provision
• Evidence of post graduate study
• Contributing to the development of students and other staff

Desirable

• Be able to use research, reasoning and problem solving skills to determine appropriate actions
• Knowledge of risk assessment

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience as nurse or allied health professional
• Post registration experience in Lymphoedema management or willing to work towards
• Involvement in professional practice education
• Ability to work autonomously and make decisions
• Involvement in professional practice education

Desirable

• Experience working in a palliative care/oncology setting
• Evidence of working effectively across professional boundaries

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Practitioner Nurse/ Physiotherapist/Occupational Therapist
• Diploma level course in lymphoedema management incorporating intensive therapy, manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), MLLB, or willing to work towards
• Recognised teaching and assessing qualification

Desirable

• Oncology and/or Palliative Care Qualification
• Communication Skills training

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Positive professional approach and image
• Personal drive and resilience
• Possesses a wide range of interpersonal skills including ability to prioritise, delegate & negotiate
• Ability to demonstrate a flexible approach to working practice to facilitate effective team working
• Ability to adapt to fluctuating environments and complex situations
• Ability to work on own initiative and take responsibility for specific tasks
• Willingness and ability to travel to sites where the service is delivered
• Holds a valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

The Prince Of Wales Hospice

Address

Prince Of Wales Hospice

Halfpenny Lane

Pontefract

West Yorkshire

WF8 4BG

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.pwh.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main purpose of job:

• The post holder will work as part of the Lymphoedema Service supporting the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care to patients with Lymphoedema.
• This is a developmental role designed to support the successful post holder in progressing towards becoming a competent Assistant Practitioner within the specialist field of lymphoedema management. The post holder will undertake a structured programme of training, supervision and competency development, supported by the Lymphoedema Specialists and wider multidisciplinary team.
• The role will involve assisting with the assessment, treatment and ongoing management of patients, working within agreed competencies, treatment protocols and delegated care plans. As knowledge, skills and experience develop, the post holder will gradually undertake a wider range of clinical duties appropriate to competency level.

Clinical Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assist the Lymphoedema Specialists in the provision of Lymphoedema Therapy
• Treat patients autonomously with directly unsupervised clinic work, including:

o Simple Lymphatic Drainage

o Skin care, compression therapy, hosiery measurement and garment ordering

o Multi-layer lymphoedema bandaging

o Intermittent pneumatic compression and kinesio-taping

o Measuring and recording of limb volume

o Review clinics for stable mild/moderate lymphoedema patients

• Educate patients in skin care, with a view to preventing cellulitis, especially around foot care, nail care and check their compliance and progress on follow up visits.
• Encourage patients to adhere to treatment and to continue with dietary and exercise plans over a long period of time, with awareness of patient body image concerns.
• Communicate effectively with patients and their carers regarding lymphoedema assessment and planned treatment.
• Exchange complex condition related information with tact and persuasion to engage patients and carers in care delivery, with a high degree of empathy and reassurance.
• Use effective communication skills, verbal and non-verbal to communicate treatment programmes to patients who have barriers to understanding and communicating and respond sensitively and tactfully where patients and carers may become distressed.
• Maintain accurate patient records and collect data for reporting.
• Be responsible for the safe use lymphoedema specific equipment and ensure all maintenance is up to date.
• Liaise with and refer to services/organisations both internally and externally to support the best possible management of patients.
• Prioritise own workload to ensure clinical priorities are met and care is managed in a timely fashion.
• Be responsible for the safe use lymphoedema specific equipment and ensure all maintenance is up to date.
• Work alongside the Wellbeing Team to provide flexible support and support wellbeing groups for patients, e.g. patient exercise groups.

General Duties and Responsibilities:

• Abide by the Health and Safety at Work Act, attend annual mandatory training sessions and ensure compliance with Hospice policies and procedures and all statutory and local policy requirements at all times.
• Report promptly to the Lymphoedema Lead any untoward incident, complaint, grievance or other aspect likely to affect the safe and efficient functioning of the service.
• Undertake activities, from time to time, representing The Prince of Wales Hospices services to outside groups or the general public.
• Demonstrate commitment to personal development and make a positive contribution to fundraising and raising the profile of the Hospice.
• Maintain strict confidentiality applying to all aspects of Hospice business at all times.

The tasks and responsibilities outlined in this job description are not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake other tasks in agreement with their line manager.

Person Specification

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Positive professional approach and image
• Ability to work without direct supervision.
• Planning and organisational skills to cope with day-to-day tasks and activities
• Good observational and listening skills.
• Ability to demonstrate a flexible approach to working practice to facilitate effective team working
• Ability to adapt to fluctuating environments and complex situations
• Ability to work on own initiative and take responsibility for specific tasks
• Willingness and ability to travel to sites where the service is delivered
• Holds a valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle to attend external clinics and community groups

Qualifications

Essential

• Level 2/3 NVQ or BTEC in a care related subject or equivalent
• Diploma level course in lymphoedema management or willing to work towards

Experience

Essential

• Ability to work autonomously and make decisions.

Desirable

• Working with patients with complex needs including lymphoedema, chronic oedema, cancer patients
• Experience working in a multidisciplinary team
• Transferrable skills to support Wellbeing team when deemed appropriate

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Be able to implement specific and appropriate management plans including the setting of timescales
• Understand the need to establish and maintain a safe practice environment

Desirable

• Excellent communication skills verbal & non-verbal, including tact & persuasion
• Possess a demonstrable level of theoretical and clinical knowledge of Lymphoedema management
• Be competent in the practice of Simple Lymphatic Drainage
• Be competent in the application of compression garments and lymphoedema bandaging

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

The Prince Of Wales Hospice

Address

Prince Of Wales Hospice

Halfpenny Lane

Pontefract

West Yorkshire

WF8 4BG

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.pwh.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)